Chapter 11 - THE BRIDE WHO WALKED INTO THE TRAP
Victor did not accept defeat.
Two nights after his removal, I received a message.
Unknown number.
YOUR MOTHER'S TREATMENT RECORDS HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED. COME ALONE IF YOU WANT THEM BACK.
My stomach dropped.
The message included a photograph of my mother's hospital room.
I panicked.
Then remembered Adrian's warning.
Victor was dangerous.
I called Marcus.
He answered immediately.
“Mrs. Vale?”
I explained everything.
His voice changed.
“Do not go anywhere.”
I swallowed.
“What about my mother?”
“We'll secure her.”
I nodded.
Then another message arrived.
DON'T TELL ADRIAN.
I stared.
For a moment, fear nearly overwhelmed me.
Then I remembered something Adrian had told me.
Trust is not the absence of fear.
It's choosing who deserves to stand beside you when you're afraid.
I called Adrian.
He answered.
“Claire?”
My voice shook.
“Adrian.”
He immediately knew something was wrong.
“What happened?”
I told him.
Everything.
He listened.
Then said quietly:
“Stay where you are.”
I closed my eyes.
“I'm scared.”
His voice softened.
“I know.”
A pause.
“But you're not alone.”
Within an hour, Marcus secured my mother.
Investigators traced the messages.
And Victor's final attempt to intimidate me became the evidence that led to his arrest.
He had expected me to panic.
To hide.
To run.
May you like
Instead, I trusted the man I loved.
And together, we ended the threat.
