At the time, I thought she was warning me.
Now I wondered whether she had been threatening me.
Julian habló en voz baja.
“I hired an investigator after Martin asked about Eli. I suspected he was trying to exploit something financially. But then the investigator uncovered this.”
I stared at the photograph.
“Vanessa knew Adrian?”
“Yes.”
“And Martin knew Vanessa.”
“Yes.”
I turned toward him. “How long have you had this?”
Julian briefly closed his eyes.
“Six months.”
Pain cut through me.
“Six months?”
“I wanted proof before I frightened you.”
“No. You wanted control.”
He flinched.
“Emma—”
“Do not stand there and make decisions about my children’s safety without me.”
His face tightened with remorse.
“You’re right.”
His admission unsettled me more than an excuse would have.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I thought I was protecting you. I became exactly what I promised I wouldn’t be.”
