Chapter 4: The Key to the Bennett Estate
Adrian read the message until the words blurred.
And don't trust your brother.
His younger brother, Nathan Bennett, had been in Chicago for a corporate meeting when Serena was found. He had called Adrian that morning to wish him luck with the wedding, joking that he expected a nephew before the next family reunion. Nathan had sounded relaxed, almost cheerful.
But Nathan had also been Richard Bennett's favorite.
Growing up, Adrian had learned that his father rarely gave affection without attaching a condition. Nathan had learned something different: how to make Richard believe every decision was his own idea.
If Richard had left behind a secret, Nathan might know about it.
Or he might be the reason it existed.
"What's wrong?"" Serena asked.
Adrian locked his phone.
"Someone sent me another message.""
"What does it say?""
He hesitated.
Serena watched him carefully.
"Adrian, if you want me to trust you, don't start deciding which parts of the truth I can handle.""
He looked at her, ashamed by how familiar the accusation felt.
"It says the key your father gave you opens a box at the old estate. And it says I shouldn't trust Nathan.""
Serena's expression tightened.
"Then we need to find that box.""
"You're not going anywhere until the doctors clear you.""
"I'm not asking to go anywhere. I'm asking you not to let Vanessa get there first.""
Adrian looked at the envelope on the bedside table.
"How would she know about the key?""
"Because she knew your father had given me something. She searched my apartment after I disappeared. When she couldn't find the documents, she told me that whatever I'd hidden wouldn't save me.""
Adrian's jaw clenched.
"She searched your apartment?""
"She had access to it. She had access to everything.""
He wanted to promise that no one would ever hurt Serena again. But after what had happened, the words felt cheap.
Instead, he called Marcus.
"I need you to arrange security at the hospital. No one gets near Serena or Chloe without her permission. And send someone to the Bennett estate.""
"Which property?""
"The house on Ashford Road.""
Marcus paused.
"Your father's old residence?""
"Yes. Find the box that matches a small brass key. Don't touch anything else without documenting it.""
"I'll handle it. But Adrian, there's another development.""
"What?""
"The police have interviewed two members of the wedding staff. One says Vanessa personally instructed the decorators to leave a hollow service cavity behind the rose wall.""
Adrian looked toward Serena.
She had heard every word.
"Did they say why?"" he asked.
"Vanessa told them she needed a place to conceal the sound equipment cables. The technicians say that explanation makes no sense. The equipment was installed on the opposite side of the ballroom.""
Adrian closed his eyes.
The rose wall had not been an accident. It had been designed to conceal something.
Possibly someone.
"Get that in writing," he said.
"And make sure the police know.""
He ended the call.
Serena's eyes had filled with tears, but she wasn't crying.
"I kept thinking someone would notice," she said.
"The music was so loud. Sometimes I could hear people talking on the other side. I screamed until I couldn't make a sound anymore.""
Adrian moved closer to the bed.
"I'm sorry.""
"Don't say that because you feel guilty.""
"I'm saying it because I am.""
She looked away.
For several seconds, the only sound was the steady monitor beside her bed.
Then Serena spoke again.
"When Vanessa told me you were marrying her, she said it was already too late for me. She said she had spent years making sure you believed I was the problem.""
Adrian lowered his head.
"She showed me messages supposedly from you," he admitted.
"She told me you had moved on. I believed her because I wanted to believe the worst was over.""
Serena turned toward him.
"And when Chloe cried for me?""
"I told her you weren't coming back.""
"Why?""
"Because I thought letting her hope would hurt her more.""
Serena's expression hardened.
"You didn't protect her from pain, Adrian. You taught her that her own memories couldn't be trusted.""
The words struck him with brutal precision.
He couldn't defend himself.
A quiet knock interrupted them.
A uniformed detective entered with a notebook in her hand. She introduced herself as Detective Maya Ellis and explained that she was investigating Serena's disappearance and the circumstances surrounding her confinement.
"Ms. Bennett, are you able to answer a few questions?""
Serena nodded.
Detective Ellis sat beside the bed.
"Did Vanessa Carter arrange your meeting three years ago?""
"Yes.""
"Did you see anyone else that day?""
"Daniel Cross. He took my phone and drove me to the wedding venue.""
"Did you know Mr. Cross before that day?""
"No. I recognized him later from photographs of the Bennett family.""
The detective made a note.
"And Mr. Richard Bennett?""
Serena looked at Adrian before answering.
"He gave me the key. He knew something was wrong, but I don't know how much he understood.""
"Did he participate in your confinement?""
"No. Not that I saw.""
Detective Ellis closed her notebook.
"We'll need a formal statement when you're stronger. For now, don't delete any messages or contact anyone you believe may be involved.""
"What about Vanessa?"" Adrian asked.
"We're locating her.""
"She was at the wedding.""
"And then she left before officers could interview her.""
Adrian's face hardened.
"She ran.""
"That is one possibility," the detective replied.
"We won't assume motive until we have evidence.""
When she left, Adrian checked his phone.
Marcus had sent an update.
*The estate alarm was disabled at 8:12 this morning. Someone entered before our security team arrived.*
A photograph followed.
It showed the study where Richard had kept his private business files. Drawers had been pulled out, papers scattered across the floor, and the safe behind the desk stood open.
Adrian stared at the image.
The safe had required a code known to only three people: Richard, Adrian, and Nathan.
He called Marcus immediately.
"Was anything taken?""
"We're still checking. But the person who entered knew exactly where to look.""
"Get the police there.""
"Already done. Adrian, there's something else. The housekeeper says Nathan called the estate this morning and asked whether anyone had been inside.""
Adrian felt a cold pressure settle in his chest.
"Did she tell him?""
"No. She thought it was an unusual question.""
Adrian looked at Serena.
She had gone very still.
"Your brother knows about the box," she said.
"Maybe.""
"Adrian, someone locked me behind a wall for three years because I knew something they wanted buried. Now someone has broken into your father's study on the morning of your wedding.""
She gripped the blanket.
"Please don't wait until you have another body to believe there's a reason.""
Adrian took the brass key from the envelope and closed his fist around it.
He had spent years believing that family meant protecting one another from outside threats.
Now he wondered whether the greatest threat had been sitting at his father's dinner table all along.
His phone rang.
Nathan's name appeared on the screen.
Adrian answered.
"Where are you?"" he demanded.
"Good morning to you, too."" Nathan's voice sounded casual, but there was a strain beneath it.
"I heard about the wedding. What the hell happened?""
"Where are you?""
"At the airport. I'm flying home.""
"Why did you call the estate this morning?""
Silence.
Then Nathan exhaled.
"Because Dad left something there that belongs to me.""
Adrian's grip tightened around the phone.
"What did he leave?""
"Nothing you need to worry about.""
"That's not an answer.""
Nathan's voice dropped.
"Adrian, listen carefully. Whatever Serena told you, don't let her drag you into something you don't understand.""
Adrian stared at the woman in the hospital bed.
"You haven't even spoken to her.""
"No," Nathan replied.
"But I know Dad. And I know what Serena was willing to do to get her way.""
Adrian's stomach twisted.
Then Nathan said something that made the entire room seem to freeze.
"Besides, if Serena is alive, then Vanessa has a very serious problem.""
He ended the call.
Adrian stood motionless, the phone pressed against his ear.
Serena looked at him.
"What did he say?""
Adrian lowered the phone slowly.
"He said you were a problem.""
Serena closed her eyes.
May you like
"No," she whispered.
"He said I was a problem because he knew exactly why I had to disappear.""
