Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN ADRIAN PLANNED TO MARRY
Celeste recovered quickly.
She always did.
By the time they returned to Vale House, she had created an explanation.
Owen had told her Adrian’s location because the family security system generated an emergency alert. She had gone to the garage out of concern. The attack, she insisted, proved that Julian’s gambling debts had placed everyone in danger.
Julian laughed when he heard the accusation.
“I don’t gamble.”
Celeste looked at Adrian.
“He owes more than four million dollars.”
“I owe two hundred thousand,” Julian said. “And most of that is to a casino, which is apparently much less elegant.”
Adrian ordered everyone into the library.
Owen stood near the door.
Celeste sat beside Adrian as though nothing had changed.
Elena remained with Sophie near the fireplace.
The recorder lay on the table.
Adrian looked at Owen.
“My wife named you in a recording made before her death.”
Owen’s face remained calm.
“Mrs. Vale suffered from severe anxiety.”
“She identified financial transfers connected to Dr. Carrow.”
“I know nothing about them.”
“She said you helped conceal them.”
“She was mistaken.”
Adrian stood.
“I trusted you with my family.”
“And I protected it.”
“Then give me full access to every security record from the last five years.”
Owen hesitated.
It lasted less than a second.
But everyone saw it.
“Those records contain confidential information,” he said.
“They belong to me.”
“Some archives were damaged during the server replacement.”
“When?”
“Two years ago.”
Julian folded his arms.
“How convenient.”
Celeste touched Adrian’s hand.
“You’re injured. This can wait until morning.”
“No,” Adrian said.
She withdrew her hand.
Owen looked at Sophie.
“You should not discuss this in front of the child.”
Elena stepped between them.
“Do not look at her.”
Owen’s jaw tightened.
Adrian noticed.
“Leave the estate,” he said.
“Mr. Vale.”
“You are suspended until my attorneys complete an investigation.”
Owen took one step forward.
Adrian did not move.
Two of the newer security officers entered.
Owen looked at Celeste.
It was brief.
A glance no one would have noticed unless they were searching for it.
Elena was searching.
So was Julian.
Owen left without another word.
That night, Adrian canceled the wedding.
Not publicly.
He told Celeste they needed to postpone it until the investigation was complete.
She listened in silence.
Then she removed her engagement ring and placed it on his desk.
“You believe a dead woman and a nanny you met four days ago.”
“I believe evidence.”
“You believe guilt.”
Adrian looked at her.
“What does that mean?”
“You failed Isabel, so now you are determined to find a conspiracy large enough to excuse it.”
His face went still.
Celeste moved closer.
“I was here after she died. I was the one who helped Sophie sleep. I handled the tantrums, the doctors, the nightmares, and your grief. Elena entered this house and turned your daughter against me within days.”
“Sophie was afraid of you before Elena arrived.”
“That is what Elena wants you to believe.”
Adrian’s voice lowered.
“Did you ever hurt her?”
Celeste’s eyes filled with tears.
“I loved her.”
“That was not my question.”
She slapped him.
The sound echoed through the office.
Then she kissed his cheek.
“When you come to your senses, I will forgive you.”
She walked out.
From the hallway, Elena watched her climb the stairs.
Celeste did not pack.
She did not call a lawyer.
She went directly toward Sophie’s room.
Elena followed.
Celeste stopped outside the nursery.
“Elena.”
“You’re not going in.”
“I came to say goodnight.”
“She’s asleep.”
“I know.”
The answer was wrong.
Elena had left Sophie awake ten minutes earlier.
“How do you know?”
Celeste glanced toward the closed door.
Then she smiled.
“Because I gave her something to help her rest.”
Elena shoved past her.
Sophie lay motionless in bed.
An empty glass sat on the nightstand.
Elena touched the child’s face.
“Sophie?”
No response.
She checked her pulse.
Slow.
Too slow.
“What did you give her?”
Celeste stood in the doorway.
“Her prescribed medication.”
“What medication?”
“Something Dr. Carrow approved.”
Elena grabbed the glass and smelled it.
Bitter almonds.
Her emergency training took over.
She lifted Sophie from the bed.
“Call an ambulance.”
Celeste did not move.
“Elena, put her down.”
“Call an ambulance now.”
“She needs sleep.”
“She needs a hospital.”
Elena ran into the hallway carrying Sophie.
Adrian emerged from his office.
“What happened?”
“She’s been drugged.”
Celeste followed calmly.
“That is absurd.”
Elena handed Adrian the glass.
“Ask your fiancée why this smells like sedatives.”
Adrian looked at Celeste.
“What did you give her?”
“A prescribed sleep aid.”
“How much?”
Celeste hesitated.
Elena shouted toward the staff staircase.
“Rosa, call emergency services.”
Celeste’s composure broke.
“No outside ambulance.”
Everyone turned toward her.
She took a breath.
“The press watches hospital admissions. Use the family doctor.”
“The family doctor falsified her records,” Elena said.
Sophie made a weak sound in Elena’s arms.
Adrian took out his phone.
Celeste reached for it.
He caught her wrist.
The room became silent.
“Do not touch me,” he said.
Celeste stared at his hand.
Then at Sophie.
Something cold entered her eyes.
“You have no idea what she is capable of.”
Adrian released her.
May you like
“She is seven.”
Celeste whispered, “That is what everyone keeps forgetting.”
