CHAPTER 8
Nathan didn't speak to me for almost an hour.
Not because he was angry.
Because he was trying to decide how much truth to give me.
I knew that look.
I had seen it before.
People always thought hiding information protected others.
They never understood that secrets created bigger wounds.
Finally, he came to my office.
"Adrian Vale was my father's closest ally."
I looked up.
"And?"
Nathan stared out the window.
"And the reason my father died."
I froze.
The room became smaller.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
His jaw tightened.
"Because I thought he was gone."
"That's not an answer."
Nathan looked at me.
"I didn't want this world touching you."
I laughed quietly.
Not because it was funny.
Because it sounded familiar.
Everyone wanted to protect me.
Everyone forgot I had a choice.
"Nathan."
My voice softened.
"You don't get to decide what dangers I can face."
He nodded.
"I know."
And surprisingly...
He meant it.
That night, I searched old records.
Not Nathan's.
Mine.
Because there was something I hadn't told him either.
Something I had buried.
Before I became a nanny, before I learned how to disappear into other people's homes...
I had worked for Adrian Vale.
Not directly.
But close enough.
I was twenty-four.
Young.
Naive.
And desperate for money after my father became sick.
Adrian hired me as an assistant.
He taught me something important.
People reveal themselves when they think nobody is watching.
I watched him.
And eventually...
He noticed.
That was why I left.
That was why I changed my name with the agency.
That was why I never stayed anywhere too long.
Because Adrian Vale didn't forget people.
He collected them.
The next morning, I told Nathan everything.
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't judge.
When I finished, he simply asked:
"Did he hurt you?"
I looked away.
"Not physically."
Nathan's expression hardened.
"But emotionally?"
I stayed silent.
That was my answer.
Nathan stepped closer.
"Sarah."
I looked at him.
"You don't have to carry every scar alone anymore."
The words almost broke me.
Almost.
Then Vance entered.
His face was pale.
"Boss."
Nathan turned.
"What happened?"
Vance held up a photograph.
A surveillance image.
A man standing outside the estate.
Watching.
Nathan looked at it.
Then handed it to me.
I saw the face.
And my blood went cold.
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Because Adrian Vale wasn't watching Nathan.
He was watching me.
