Chapter 3 - The Name They Erased
Richard took Adrian to an old records room beneath the Whitmore estate.
There, he opened a locked cabinet.
Inside were photographs.
Thomas.
Elizabeth.
William.
And a newborn baby wrapped in a silver blanket.
On the back of the photograph were three words:
“Protect Marissa.”
Adrian stared.
“My mother knew?”
Richard nodded.
“Elizabeth knew everything.”
“My mother died when I was a child.”
Richard hesitated.
“No.”
Adrian's head snapped toward him.
“What?”
“Your mother is alive.”
The room seemed to disappear.
Richard explained that Elizabeth had faked her death because Edward was watching her.
She had spent years moving between safe houses.
She had secretly watched Adrian grow up.
She had also helped protect Marissa.
Then Richard gave Adrian Thomas's final recording.
Adrian pressed play.
A man's tired voice filled the room.
“If you're hearing this, Edward has already won part of the battle.”
A pause.
“My daughter is alive.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“Her name is Marissa.”
Thomas continued.
“Edward will try to make her disappear.”
Then came the words that changed everything.
“My wife knows where she is.”
Adrian stopped the recording.
“Where is my mother?”
Richard handed him a photograph.
Elizabeth stood outside a small house in Vermont.
Alive.
And watching the camera.
On the back was an address.
Before Adrian could speak, his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“You found the trust.”
Adrian said nothing.
The voice continued.
“Stop.”
“Who are you?”
“You have forty-eight hours.”
The call ended.
Adrian looked at Richard.
May you like
Richard whispered:
“They know.”
