Chapter 2 - The Birthday Promise
Sophia barely managed to leave Adrian’s office before Eleanor entered the corridor.
“There you are,” Eleanor said. “The tailor is waiting.”
Sophia slipped the key into her sleeve.
“I felt dizzy and needed somewhere quiet.”
Eleanor’s gaze sharpened.
“You were inside Adrian’s office.”
“The door was open.”
“That room is never open.”
Sophia met her eyes.
“Then perhaps someone forgot to lock it.”
For several seconds, neither woman moved.
Eleanor looked past Sophia toward the office door.
Then she smiled.
It was a cold, controlled smile.
“You should be more careful,” she said. “Curiosity can create unnecessary pain.”
Sophia followed her upstairs.
During the dress fitting, she remained silent while two women adjusted the dark blue gown around her body. The fabric had been selected by Eleanor because it matched the Bennett family colors.
Sophia studied herself in the mirror.
She looked elegant.
Calm.
Protected.
Nothing in her reflection revealed that her husband was building a legal case to take her child.
When the tailor left, Sophia locked the bedroom door.
She transferred the photographs from her phone to a secure online account. Then she sent them to an email address she had created under a false name.
Her hands shook as she typed.
She needed a lawyer.
But not one connected to the Bennett family.
She searched through old contacts until she found a number belonging to Maya Reynolds, a law school friend she had not spoken to in years.
Sophia called.
Maya answered on the fourth ring.
“Sophia?”
“I need help.”
The warmth disappeared from Maya’s voice.
“What happened?”
Sophia told her enough to make her understand.
She did not mention Gabriel or the succession agreement yet.
When she finished, Maya remained silent for a moment.
“Do not confront Adrian,” she said.
“He plans to take my baby.”
“I know. That is why you need to behave as though you know nothing.”
“The party is tonight.”
“Then attend the party. Smile. Let him believe his plan is working.”
Sophia looked down at the gown.
“I don’t know if I can stand beside him.”
“You don’t have to stand beside him forever. You only need to survive tonight.”
Maya instructed her to send every document.
“I’ll review the contract and call you before the party begins.”
After the call, Sophia opened the closet and removed the velvet gift box she had purchased for Adrian.
The watch had cost more than her father earned in five years.
Before marrying Adrian, Sophia had grown up in a small house with a leaking roof and secondhand furniture. Her mother had died when she was twelve. Her father, Thomas Hale, had worked two jobs to send her to university.
Adrian had entered her life like a storm.
He had seen her speaking at a charity conference and told her she was the only honest person in the room.
Within a year, they were married.
At first, he had encouraged her ambitions. Sophia had launched a foundation supporting mothers without access to legal representation.
Then Adrian gradually took control.
He suggested she stop working during the pregnancy.
He replaced her staff.
He restricted the foundation’s accounts for her own protection.
By the time Sophia realized she had become dependent on him, every door already required his permission.
Her phone rang.
Maya.
“I reviewed the files,” she said. “The custody petition is serious, but it is also manufactured. We can challenge it.”
“And the succession agreement?”
Maya inhaled sharply.
“That document could destroy Adrian.”
“How?”
“The fidelity clause is real. It was designed to prevent an heir from abandoning his wife after she became pregnant.”
“Would it give me control of Bennett Holdings?”
“Temporarily. Until the child turns eighteen or another legally recognized heir is identified.”
Sophia thought of the note.
“Another heir?”
“Yes. Why?”
Sophia hesitated.
“There was a name written in the drawer. Gabriel.”
Maya became quiet.
“Do you know who that is?”
“No.”
“Then find out before using the agreement. If there is another heir, Adrian may not be the only person affected.”
Sophia’s gaze shifted toward the wedding photograph.
“What evidence would I need for the fidelity clause?”
“Clear proof. Messages, recordings, financial transactions, or photographs.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
She had suspicions.
But suspicion was not evidence.
“I may know where he’ll be tonight.”
“Do not put yourself in danger.”
“I’m already in danger.”
A knock sounded at the door.
Sophia ended the call.
Adrian entered carrying a long white box.
“I brought you something.”
He placed it on the bed.
Inside was a diamond necklace.
Sophia recognized the design. It matched a bracelet Vanessa had worn in a recent magazine interview.
“It’s beautiful,” Sophia said.
Adrian fastened it around her neck.
His fingers brushed her skin.
“You know I love you,” he said.
Sophia looked at his reflection.
“Do I?”
His hands froze.
Then he laughed.
“Tonight matters to me. I need you beside me.”
“Because I’m your wife?”
“Because we’re a family.”
Sophia touched the necklace.
“And after the baby is born?”
Adrian’s expression changed again.
“What about it?”
“Will we still be a family?”
“Of course.”
He kissed her temple.
The gesture was almost convincing.
Then he stepped away.
“Vanessa and her father will arrive early. Be polite to them.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“She thinks you dislike her.”
“Does she?”
Adrian picked up the gift box containing the watch.
“What’s this?”
“Your birthday present.”
He opened it and read the engraving.
For every second we have left together.
His eyes lifted toward her.
“What does that mean?”
“It means time matters.”
Adrian smiled, but there was uncertainty behind it.
“Wear the necklace tonight.”
After he left, Sophia stood before the mirror.
She unfastened the necklace and placed it back in the box.
At four o’clock, the first guests began arriving.
At five, Sophia received another anonymous message.
The sender included an address and a hotel room number.
Room 814. Every Thursday for six months.
A second attachment contained photographs.
Adrian entering the hotel.
Vanessa leaving two hours later.
Sophia stared at the dates.
Every Thursday.
The same nights Adrian claimed he had board meetings.
A final message appeared.
The ballroom terrace is monitored by Camera Seven.
Tonight they plan to celebrate before they destroy you.
Sophia typed again.
Who are you?
May you like
This time, the stranger answered.
Someone Adrian should have remembered.
