Chapter 9
The man stood there for what felt like an eternity.
Adrian held Noah tight, covering his mouth so he could not make a sound.
Noah’s heart was beating so fast Adrian could feel it against his arm.
Slowly, the man turned and walked away.
Adrian let out his breath in a silent rush.
But they were still surrounded.
More men were spreading out through the forest.
They would be found soon.
Adrian looked up.
Through the trees, he saw a faint light higher up.
A cabin.
He recognized it.
His grandfather’s old hunting cabin.
Hidden deep in the woods.
Vivian had no idea it even existed.
Adrian lifted Noah onto his back.
“Hold on. Don’t let go.”
He began climbing.
Steep, slippery ground.
Roots and rocks.
He moved quietly, staying in shadow.
Avoiding the flashlights below.
Noah was heavy, but Adrian did not stop.
He climbed until the voices faded behind him.
Until the only sound was rain and their breathing.
When they finally reached the cabin, Adrian’s legs were shaking so badly he could barely stand.
He set Noah down and pushed open the heavy wooden door.
It was dusty and cold.
But it was dry.
And it was hidden.
Adrian barred the door.
He found old blankets and wrapped Noah up tight.
He started a small fire in the stone hearth.
The flames cast warm light across the walls.
Noah sat close, shivering.
Adrian sat beside him and pulled him close.
They were safe for now.
But Vivian would not stop.
She would search every inch of these mountains.
She would use every resource she had.
And she had endless resources.
Adrian looked around the cabin.
On the mantelpiece, he saw an old metal box.
He had not seen it since he was a boy.
He stood up and picked it up.
It was heavy. Locked.
He broke the rusted latch open against the stone.
Inside were papers.
Old legal documents.
And a letter, addressed to him.
In his grandfather’s handwriting.
Adrian unfolded it carefully.
The first sentence stopped his breath.
**IF YOU ARE READING THIS, THEN VIVIAN HAS FINALLY MADE HER MOVE.**
Adrian read on, his heart pounding harder with every word.
His grandfather had known.
He had known Vivian would try to take everything.
And he had left proof.
Proof that Vivian was not legally entitled to anything.
Proof that she had forged documents years ago to seize control.
And most shocking of all.
Proof that Noah was not just Adrian’s son.
He was the true heir to everything.
The estate.
The company.
The fortune.
All of it belonged to Noah.
And Vivian knew it.
That was why she wanted Noah gone.
That was why she needed Adrian to sign.
She was not stealing from Adrian.
May you like
She was stealing from Noah.
And she would do anything to make it permanent.
