Chapter 5 - THE NIGHT AT FOXBRIDGE LAKE
Hudson had never been so afraid.
Not during the crash.
Not during the hostile takeover that nearly destroyed Vale Technologies.
Not even when Delilah died.
Because this time, someone had taken his daughter.
And the person they wanted in exchange was Naomi.
"Lock the estate down," Hudson ordered.
Richard grabbed his phone.
"Already doing it."
"No police."
Richard stared.
"Sir?"
"If whoever did this is watching the house, I don't want them to panic."
Naomi shook her head.
"You can't go."
Hudson looked at her.
"Your daughter is missing."
"She's your daughter."
The words stopped him.
Naomi's eyes filled with tears.
"I mean Evelyn."
Hudson nodded.
"She's my daughter."
For the first time, he said it without hesitation.
He took a flashlight.
Naomi grabbed his arm.
"They said bring me."
"I know."
"Then I'm coming."
"No."
"If I don't go, they may hurt her."
Hudson stared at Naomi.
"You've spent a year protecting my children."
"I'm not stopping now."
He nodded.
"Fine."
Richard stepped forward.
"Sir, absolutely not."
Hudson looked at him.
"Prepare the security team."
"They'll be watching."
"Then make sure they don't see us."
The lake was fifteen minutes from the mansion.
The night was cold.
Fog hovered over the water.
Hudson and Naomi walked toward the dock.
"Hello?"
Naomi called.
Nothing.
Then a voice came from the darkness.
"You shouldn't have brought him."
Hudson stopped.
A figure stepped into view.
He was holding Evelyn.
Hudson's entire body tightened.
"Put my daughter down."
The man laughed.
"Still giving orders."
Hudson stared.
The face became visible.
His heart stopped.
"Ethan."
Naomi gasped.
Ethan smiled sadly.
"Hello, little brother."
Hudson couldn't speak.
Twelve years.
Twelve years believing his brother was dead.
"Why?"
Ethan looked at the baby.
"Because our family has always been built on lies."
"Give me Evelyn."
"Not yet."
Hudson stepped forward.
Ethan raised the baby slightly.
"Don't."
Hudson stopped.
Naomi whispered:
"Please."
Ethan looked at her.
"You kept your promise."
Naomi's eyes filled.
"Delilah asked me to."
"I know."
Hudson stared.
"What happened to Delilah?"
Ethan's expression changed.
"She discovered what Mother had done."
Hudson's blood ran cold.
"What did she do?"
"She altered the embryos."
Hudson stared.
"What?"
Ethan continued.
"She wanted the babies to inherit everything."
"Mother?"
"Yes."
Naomi whispered:
"Vivian wanted control of the Vale fortune."
Ethan nodded.
"She believed Hudson was too unstable after Delilah's death."
Hudson clenched his fists.
"Why were you involved?"
Ethan's face twisted.
"I wasn't."
"Then why did Delilah use your embryos?"
"Because I donated them years before."
Hudson looked at Evelyn.
"Then they're yours."
"No."
Ethan shook his head.
"Biologically, perhaps."
He looked at Hudson.
"But they are yours."
Hudson's eyes filled.
"Why?"
"Because Delilah chose you."
Ethan lowered Evelyn.
"She told me that."
Hudson took a step.
"Then give her to me."
Ethan hesitated.
Then he walked forward.
Suddenly, a gunshot cracked through the darkness.
Ethan jerked.
Naomi screamed.
Hudson caught Evelyn.
Ethan fell.
"ETHAN!"
Hudson dropped beside him.
Blood spread across his coat.
Ethan grabbed Hudson's wrist.
"Listen."
Hudson leaned closer.
"Who shot you?"
Ethan's breathing became shallow.
"Your mother."
Hudson froze.
"No."
"She wants the girls."
"Why?"
"Because their inheritance isn't what you think."
Ethan coughed.
"There's a trust."
"What trust?"
"Delilah created one."
"Where?"
Ethan looked toward Naomi.
"She knows."
Hudson turned.
Naomi's face had gone white.
"What?"
Ethan whispered:
"The key is inside the nursery."
Then he closed his eyes.
Hudson screamed for help.
Security rushed from the trees.
But before anyone could reach Ethan, another gunshot echoed.
The attacker was gone.
Hudson held Evelyn against his chest.
Naomi knelt beside him.
And then Hudson realized something.
Evelyn wasn't crying.
She was staring over his shoulder.
At the tree line.
A woman's silhouette stood there.
Vivian.
Then she disappeared.
Back at the mansion, Hudson confronted his mother.
"You shot Ethan."
Vivian looked at him calmly.
"No."
"Don't lie."
"I didn't."
"He's dying."
"I never wanted him dead."
Hudson stepped closer.
"Then who did?"
Vivian said nothing.
Naomi appeared behind Hudson.
"I know."
Everyone turned.
Naomi was holding an old wooden box.
She opened it.
Inside was a small brass key.
Hudson stared.
"Where did you get that?"
"Delilah gave it to me."
"When?"
"The day before she died."
Hudson's voice dropped.
"What does it open?"
Naomi looked toward the nursery.
"The wall behind Evelyn's crib."
Vivian's face changed.
For the first time, genuine fear appeared in her eyes.
Hudson saw it.
May you like
And he knew.
Whatever Delilah had hidden behind that wall could destroy his entire family.
