Margaret sat in her dimly lit study, her fingers tracing the edges of a photograph of Adrian and Grace. Her lips curled into a bitter sneer as she stared at the glowing faces in the image. The news of Grace's pregnancy had shaken her to the core, and the implications were too much to ignore.
"They're trying to ruin everything I've worked for," Margaret muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. "If that child is born, Adrian will solidify his position as the heir, and Benson will have no chance. I won't let that happen."
She clenched the photograph tightly before tearing it into shreds. Margaret had always been a woman of schemes, but now her resolve was sharper than ever.
Adrian was reviewing a proposal when his assistant, Martin, walked in with an envelope. "Sir, this just arrived. It's marked urgent."
Adrian frowned as he took the envelope, noting the lack of a return address. He opened it to find a letter and a photograph of Grace entering a clinic. The letter read:
"Adrian, are you sure you know everything about your wife? Some secrets don't stay hidden forever."
His brow furrowed as unease crept in. "Who sent this?"
Martin shook his head. "No idea, sir. It was left anonymously at the front desk."
Adrian set the letter aside, his mind racing.
Margaret stood before her son, her expression severe. Benson looked up from his drink, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"What now, Mother?" he drawled.
"You're sitting here drinking while Adrian is about to secure everything that should be yours!" Margaret snapped, slamming her palm onto the table. "Do you know Grace is pregnant? Once that child is born, you'll be nothing more than an afterthought!"
Benson's smirk faltered. "Pregnant? How do you know that?"
"I've been watching," Margaret said darkly. "And now we act. We'll drive them apart, Benson. Once Grace is out of the picture, Adrian will be vulnerable, and we can reclaim what's ours."
"And what's your big plan?" Benson asked, leaning back with a raised brow.
Margaret's smile was cold and calculated. "We'll make Adrian question everything. He's already suspicious of her. A few carefully planted doubts and a scandal or two, and their perfect little world will crumble."
Grace was humming softly to herself, her hands resting on her growing belly, when Adrian walked in, his face clouded with unease.
"Hey, you're home early," Grace said, smiling warmly.
Adrian hesitated. "Yeah… Grace, can I ask you something?"
Her smile faded. "Of course. What's wrong?"
"I got a letter today," he said, showing her the photograph of her at the clinic. "What were you doing there?"
Grace blinked, surprised. "That's from when I went for my prenatal check-up. You know that."
Adrian nodded, but the doubt lingered. "I know, but why would someone send this to me, implying there's something I don't know?"
Grace's heart sank. "Adrian, you can't seriously think I'd hide anything from you. We've been through so much together."
"I'm not accusing you," Adrian said quickly. "But someone's trying to mess with us, and I need to know the truth."
Grace stepped closer, taking his hands. "The truth is I love you, and we're building a family together. Don't let anyone come between us."
Adrian sighed, pulling her into a hug. "I won't. I promise."
Grace was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for dinner, while Adrian was setting the table. The couple had been working hard to rebuild their relationship, cherishing the quiet moments that allowed them to focus on each other and their unborn child.
"I'm thinking we should take a small trip," Adrian said, his voice soft. "Just the two of us before the baby arrives."
Grace smiled. "I'd love that. Somewhere peaceful, away from all the chaos."
As the words hung in the air, Adrian's phone buzzed on the counter. He glanced at the screen, frowning when he saw it was an unknown number.
"Who could that be?" Grace asked, noticing his hesitation.
"No idea," Adrian muttered, answering the call.
A distorted voice greeted him. "Adrian Williams, if you care about the truth, meet me at Café Noir in an hour. Come alone."
Before Adrian could respond, the line went dead.
"What was that about?" Grace asked, concern etched on her face.
Adrian hesitated. "Someone wants to meet me. They said it's about the truth."
"Adrian, this could be another trap," Grace warned. "After everything we've been through, you should be cautious."
"I know," Adrian said, grabbing his coat. "But if there's even a chance it's about Margaret or Benson, I need to find out. I'll be careful, I promise."
Adrian entered the dimly lit café, scanning the room for anyone who seemed out of place. A figure sitting at a corner table waved him over. The man was wearing a hooded jacket, keeping his face obscured.
"Adrian," the man said as he approached.
Adrian sat across from him, his body tense. "Who are you? What's this about?"
The man slid a folder across the table. "You need to know what Margaret and Benson have been planning. They won't stop until they destroy everything you've built."
Adrian opened the folder, his eyes widening as he sifted through photographs, emails, and documents detailing Margaret's schemes. There were receipts for hired investigators, intercepted communications, and even plans to sabotage his business deals.
"This… this is insane," Adrian said, his voice low and angry. "Why are you giving this to me?"
The man leaned closer. "Because I've worked for Margaret, and I know what she's capable of. But this—targeting Grace and your child—it's too far. I couldn't stay silent anymore."
Adrian clenched his fists, his mind racing. "If this is true, she's going to pay for what she's done."
The man stood abruptly. "Be careful, Adrian. Margaret doesn't leave loose ends."
BACT AT HOME.
Adrian burst through the door, his eyes frantically searching the empty living room. Furniture was overturned, and a vase lay shattered on the floor.
"Grace!" he yelled, rushing into every room.
But she was gone.
His phone buzzed again. He answered it with a growl. "Where is she?"
"Relax, Adrian," the distorted voice said smugly. "Grace is with us.