Chapter 5 - The Brother Who Never Forgot His Name|
For the first time that evening, Vivienne Cross seemed to understand that no amount of money could undo what she'd admitted.
Adrian stood motionless.
His expression was pale.
“Where is Daniel?”
Vivienne wiped her cheeks.
“I don't know exactly.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“You just said he still asks for me.”
She swallowed.
“I saw him.”
The room went completely silent.
“When?” Adrian demanded.
“Three months ago.”
Margaret covered her mouth.
Adrian stepped backward.
Three months.
While he was choosing wedding venues.
While he was buying Vivienne's engagement ring.
While he was planning a future with her.
She had visited the brother he'd spent twenty-two years mourning.
“Where?”
Vivienne stared at her father.
Richard shook his head slightly.
Adrian noticed.
“Don't look at him.”
She began crying.
“Adrian—”
“Look at me.”
Slowly, she did.
“Where did you see my brother?”
“At a private residence.”
“Where?”
“Outside Madison.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
Then opened them.
“What condition was he in?”
Vivienne hesitated.
“He was older.”
A terrible, broken laugh escaped Adrian.
“Of course he was older.”
She started crying harder.
“He has trouble walking. He gets confused sometimes.”
“Did he recognize you?”
“No.”
“Did he ask about me?”
Vivienne nodded.
Adrian pressed a hand against the table.
“What did he say?”
Her voice broke.
“He asked whether Addy was coming.”
Margaret began sobbing.
I felt tears slip down my cheeks.
Adrian looked toward the window.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he whispered, “Twenty-two years.”
Richard stepped forward.
“Adrian, your brother has complicated medical needs. You cannot simply bring him home without understanding them.”
Adrian turned.
“You took away twenty-two years of our lives.”
Richard's expression hardened.
“I protected your family.”
“You imprisoned my brother.”
“I arranged care for him.”
“Without telling his brother.”
Richard looked away.
Adrian continued.
“Without letting him attend our mother's funeral.”
Vivienne began crying.
Adrian looked at her.
“Did he know she died?”
She hesitated.
“No.”
The silence was unbearable.
He slowly sat down.
For the first time, the powerful man who controlled one of Chicago's most feared families seemed unable to hold himself upright.
I instinctively moved toward him.
Then stopped.
I was still his housemaid.
Still wearing my black-and-white uniform.
Still the woman who had nearly lost her job for refusing to take away Margaret's dinner.
But Margaret gently squeezed my hand.
“Go to him, sweetheart.”
I approached.
“Mr. Moretti?”
Adrian looked up.
His eyes were wet.
“Would you like some water?”
He stared at me.
Then gave a faint, broken smile.
“Thank you, Sophie.”
I brought him a glass.
His hand trembled when he took it.
He noticed my worried expression.
Then whispered, “I don't know what to do.”
I swallowed.
There were powerful men in the hallway waiting for his instructions.
Lawyers.
Security officers.
Business associates.
But in that moment, Adrian wasn't asking for a strategy.
He was asking how to survive the possibility that his little brother had spent twenty-two years waiting for him.
So I answered honestly.
“Find him.”
Adrian stared.
“Then listen to what he wants.”
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he nodded.
Marco approached.
“Boss, we've identified a property outside Madison connected to Cross Family Holdings.”
Adrian stood immediately.
“Address?”
Marco showed him the information.
A large house on several acres of land.
Registered to a subsidiary managed by Richard's attorney.
Adrian looked toward Vivienne.
“Is this where you saw Daniel?”
She studied the screen.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Adrian turned toward Marco.
“Contact the authorities. I want a welfare check requested and a lawyer reviewing Daniel's legal status before anyone tries to move him.”
Richard immediately protested.
“You'll frighten him.”
Adrian stared.
“He's been frightened for twenty-two years.”
Richard fell silent.
Adrian looked toward Margaret.
“Will you come with me?”
The elderly woman began crying.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
He gently took her hand.
“You cared for him when he was young.”
She nodded.
“And he trusted you.”
“Yes.”
“Then maybe he'll trust you now.”
Margaret wiped her cheeks.
“Of course I'll come.”
I stepped backward.
My part in this seemed finished.
But Adrian turned toward me.
“Sophie?”
I looked up.
“Yes, sir?”
“Would you come too?”
My stomach tightened.
“Me?”
He nodded.
“Margaret trusts you.”
I looked toward the elderly woman.
She smiled through her tears.
“And perhaps,” Adrian continued, “my brother will need someone who doesn't already have a story about who he is.”
I swallowed.
Then nodded.
“I'll come.”
We left before sunrise.
As Chicago disappeared behind us, I watched Adrian stare through the car window.
He held Daniel's letter in both hands.
May you like
And every few minutes, his thumb moved across the same sentence.
I'm still waiting for you, big brother.
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