Chapter 6 - The Man Who Woke Up
The next month changed the Moretti estate.
Dominic's confession opened an investigation into Dr. Keene, Calvin Pierce, and several employees Dominic had placed around Adrian.
Financial records confirmed years of manipulation.
Adrian's legitimate companies underwent independent audits.
Several contracts were canceled.
Others were renegotiated.
But the biggest change wasn't financial.
Adrian started sleeping.
At first, four hours.
Then five.
Then six.
Doctors monitored him carefully as the substances cleared from his system.
His hands stopped trembling.
His concentration returned.
One morning, Gabriel placed three contracts on his desk.
“You already reviewed these?”
“Yes.”
“All three?”
“Twice.”
Gabriel smiled.
“Old Adrian is back.”
Adrian signed the final page.
“No.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
“Better version.”
There was a knock.
Sarah entered.
“Do you have a minute?”
“Of course.”
She looked uncomfortable.
“I wanted to talk about leaving.”
Adrian put down his pen.
“Leaving?”
“I found an apartment.”
“Why?”
Sarah hesitated.
“Everything that happened... Lily shouldn't be around this.”
Adrian couldn't argue.
Sarah continued.
“You've been incredibly generous.”
“Sarah—”
“I need to be her mother before I'm your employee.”
“I understand.”
She looked surprised.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
Adrian stood.
“But you're not leaving because you're afraid I'll fire you.”
“No.”
“And you're not leaving because you think you owe me something.”
“No.”
“Then I'll help however you allow.”
Sarah smiled faintly.
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
Lily suddenly appeared around the doorway.
“Mr. Moretti!”
Sarah sighed.
“Lily.”
“What?”
“You don't run into his office.”
“He likes me.”
Adrian nodded solemnly.
“She has evidence.”
Lily ran toward him carrying a children's book.
“Lion story.”
“Again?”
“You still need practice.”
“With sleeping?”
“Yes.”
Adrian looked at Sarah.
“Apparently my medical supervision continues.”
Sarah laughed.
It was the first time Adrian had heard her laugh without immediately apologizing afterward.
That evening, Adrian joined them for dinner in the kitchen.
Not the formal dining room.
The kitchen.
Teresa nearly dropped a plate when he walked in.
“What are you doing?”
“Eating.”
“Here?”
“That was the plan.”
Gabriel grinned from the counter.
“The great Adrian Moretti has discovered kitchens.”
“Careful, Gabriel.”
Lily climbed onto her chair.
“Sit here.”
She pointed beside her.
Adrian obeyed.
Halfway through dinner, Lily pushed broccoli toward him.
“Eat.”
“No.”
“It's healthy.”
“I own the house.”
“Mama?”
Sarah tried not to smile.
“Lily, leave Mr. Moretti alone.”
Lily crossed her arms.
“You said vegetables make people strong.”
Adrian looked at the broccoli.
Then at Lily.
Then at Gabriel, who was enjoying this far too much.
Adrian ate it.
Lily beamed.
“See?”
Gabriel laughed.
Adrian pointed his fork at him.
“One word outside this kitchen and you're unemployed.”
“Understood.”
Later that night, Sarah found Adrian in the hallway.
“Thank you.”
“For broccoli?”
“For making her feel safe.”
Adrian looked toward Lily's bedroom.
“She made me feel safe first.”
Sarah's expression softened.
Adrian continued.
“I spent years thinking being in control meant watching every door.”
“And now?”
He looked through the window at the quiet estate grounds.
“Sometimes control means knowing who you can trust enough to close your eyes.”
Sarah nodded.
“Goodnight, Mr. Moretti.”
“Adrian.”
She paused.
“What?”
“You can call me Adrian.”
A small smile appeared.
“Goodnight, Adrian.”
He watched her walk away.
Then he went to bed.
No tea.
No medication.
No security reports.
At 10:48 p.m., Adrian Moretti turned off the light.
May you like
Five minutes later, he was asleep.
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