Chapter 3: Brooke's Confession

Three days later, Adrian confronted Brooke.

His wife was sitting in their Charleston dining room when he placed the medical files on the table.

She immediately turned pale.

"You know."

It wasn't a question.

Brooke stared at the documents.

Then she slowly nodded.

Adrian felt ice spread through his chest.

"You knew the entire time."

Tears filled her eyes.

"Yes."

His chair crashed backward as he stood.

"Six years?"

Brooke began crying.

"Please let me explain."

"Explain how you helped steal my children?"

The words echoed through the room.

Brooke buried her face in her hands.

"It wasn't supposed to happen like this."

"Then tell me."

For several moments she couldn't speak.

Finally, she whispered:

"Your uncle Warren arranged everything."

Adrian's blood ran cold.

Brooke continued.

"The fertility reports were altered."

"The clinic administrator was bribed."

"The letters Elise sent were intercepted."

Every sentence felt like a knife.

"But why?"

Brooke looked directly at him.

"Because Warren discovered something."

Adrian frowned.

"What?"

Brooke's voice trembled.

"Your father wasn't the biological Caldwell heir."

The room went silent.

Adrian stared.

Unable to process the words.

Brooke continued.

"Your grandfather changed his will years ago."

"If a legitimate blood descendant existed, control of the Caldwell fortune would eventually pass to them."

Adrian felt his stomach twist.

The twins.

His sons.

His children were the rightful heirs.

Brooke nodded.

"Warren believed if Elise gave birth, everything would change."

Adrian's hands curled into fists.

"So he destroyed my marriage."

Brooke lowered her head.

"And I helped him."

For the first time in six years, Adrian understood the full truth.

His family had not separated him from Elise because she couldn't have children.

They separated him because she could.

And somewhere in Savannah, two little boys had no idea a war was about to begin over their future.