"My dear, Drea,
I really hope that you are the one finding this letter somewhere in the future. Adrian is a hot headed fool, I don't know what he will do.
Drea, my little bundle of sunshine, my courage; I really wish I had more time with you, wish I could see you grow up beautifully, wish I could be there for you, to take care of you.
I love you. And I will always do, remember that; you are my little ball of sunshine. There's a lot of things I want to tell you, a lot but I don't have much time. I know that. I can feel it. My health's been declining for some time and I don't have much time.
There's something you should know, the reason behind my declining health is Vivian. Your mother. I wanted our marriage to work, I was ready to give her the whole world but she didn't want that, she only wanted my wealth and she did all she could to ensure that.
All my wealth goes to you and Adrian. No one else. I didn't have the time to write down my will for I didn't know I would be leaving so soon.
I had my doubts about Vivian, doubts that she was tampering with my drinks for the past some time and today, they all came true when I unknowingly drank the coffee she just served me ten minutes ago. She forgot to remove the traces of the poison on the side of the mug and being well versed in all this, I know what it is and how long I exactly have. I know I am stupid, I should call the police and go the hospital but I would rather spend this time writing this letter and hiding it in your nursery with the hope of you finding it years later.
I hope David would get you away from her, maybe adopt you but he doesn't know about you yet. So, all I can really hope is for Adrian to find you and keep you safe.
I know you are going to grow into a very strong woman and remember that I loved you very much and tell this to Adrian that even though he is angry with me for marrying Vivian, I am sorry and I love him a lot too.
I love you both.

~Emerson Grant."

The paper fell from Drea's trembling fingers and her knees buckled only for Sorin to wrap his hand around her shoulder to steady her.

Tears blurred her vision and she looked up at Sorin who had a pained expression on his face. He might have been a kid but he still loved his uncle.

She sobbed. "W-what--"

"Shh..." Sorin silenced her and bending down, picked up the letter for her and slipped it inside her book. "We need to get out of here first. We will discuss this once we reach home. Not here. Not now."

Her lips wobbled, tears spilling out of her eyes and he wiped them away as she nodded.

Wrapping his arm around her waist he steadied her and they walked out of her room and down the stairs.

Just as they reached the door, the shrill voice of her mother reached them. "You are leaving so early, why don't you have lunch?"

Sorin gritted his teeth. Fucking murdress. He thought and turned around to face her.

"I would rather have lunch with my wife. Alone. Thank you." And forcing a tight smile, he went away from there with Drea at his side.

Having driven away from that house, he parked the car at the side of the road, his head falling forwards to rest on the steering wheel. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

He felt a touch on his hand that gripped the steering wheel tightly. Lifting his head, he saw Drea looking at him through the tears, trying to hold them back.

"D-do you...think... it's true...?" Her voice shook.

He picked up the book instead and took out the letter and pointed at the end of it. "He signed it. If we can find some old papers of his which he must have signed then we can have evidence." He ruminated for a moment and said, "Dad must have something."

He then groaned loudly and pinched the middle of his forehead as tears pricked his eyes. "Fuck. Why did uncle have to be stupid? He could have told my father at least, asked his help! Fuck!"

Drea laced her fingers with his. "We...we don't know...what exactly was the situation...then..."

A sob tore through him. "I loved him a lot, Drea. I don't remember much but I loved him and to know he died in such a cruel way."

Drea leaned forward and rested her forehead against his bicep, sobbing along with him and he rested his chin on top of her head, tears rolling down his eyes as they both tried to find comfort in each other's presence.

A few minutes later, he sniffed back his tears and said, "Call Adrian. Tell him to meet at our home."

Drea nodded as Sorin drove away.

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.
.

Adrian sat the dining table, his head hung low, his hands gripped his head in despair, tugging at his hair, silently sobbing, the letter lying infront of him.

Drea sat next to him, side hugging him while Sorin stood at a distance watching them, the wheels turning in his head. Trying to figure out what their next move is going to be.

They can grieve later, they need to give him justice first and Sorin sworn he won't rest until his uncle gets justice.

Adrian suddenly got up, his eyes bloodshot and he pulled out his pistol from the holster he worn around his waist making Drea gasp softly.

"Enough, that bitch is going to die today. I tolerated her for too long now." He growled and started to make his way to the door but Drea grabbed his wrist stopping him.

"Adrian, no!"

But he didn't listen as he yanked himself out of her grip and proceeded to make his way to the front door only to be shoved harshly by Sorin. "Don't be fucking stupid!"

"Get out of my way, Sorin!" He gritted his teeth.

"Think with your fucking mind, Adrian! No wonder uncle didn't want you to find the letter first. Calm the fuck down!" Sorin yelled.

"That bitch killed my father! How can I calm down?!"

"Think of your wife and children and your sister! Do you want to kill her so that you can spend the rest of your life in prison, away from everyone?!"

Sorin's words seemed to make their way inside his head finally. Adrian was breathing heavily, his anger slowly getting replaced by despair. Tears once again formed in his eyes and it hurt Sorin to see his brother like this, his best friend. He wanted to hug him, comfort him but he decided against it.

Drea came upto them and hugged Adrian, rubbing his back in order to provide him some comfort.

She is going to pay for her sins.

.
.
.

The next two weeks were hectic.

Emerson Grant was not just any man, he was well known in the business world. He had worked hard to make a name for himself. And when the news of his death being a murder emerged after twenty years of him dying, everyone went insane.

Finding the evidences and delivering him justice was no easy task but when you have money and fame, everything becomes just a tad easy.

Sorin's father almost fainted when he learnt the truth but he helped the most with the case.

Seeing Vivian being dragged away by the cops was the most satisfying feeling in the world yet it disappeared the moment Drea pressed her face in the side of his chest and cried and he placed a kiss to the top of her head. "It's going to be alright, mi amor. Everything's going to be alright."

Later when they reached home, Sorin cooked her some lunch for she has eaten nothing since morning. And as she sat on the couch in the living room, Sorin kneeled infront of her, holding the plate full of some fried rice.

Scooping some of it on the spoon, he held it to her mouth. "Please, Drea. Don't make yourself sick, have something. Please?"

Drea looked at her husband, who held her each night while she cried, who soothed her, even bathe her, dressed her up, combed her hair each and every day for she had no will power to do anything.

And now he knelt at her feet trying to feed her. Not once did he object about any of the things he had to do. He did everything without any questions, out of love. Unconditional love.

Not wanting his efforts to go to waste, Drea opened her mouth and he fed her, a small smile touching his lips.

"Did you have lunch?" She asked him.

"I will after I have fed you."

Shaking her head, she took the plate from his hand. "I can eat it...you also need to have something. Go, bring some for yourself too."

She sounded bossy and smiling, Sorin pecked her lips before getting up and doing exactly what she said.

They both sat next to each other and ate in silence and as soon as they finished their food and Sorin placed the empty plates on the coffee table, Drea threw her arm around his neck and kissed him making his heart skip a beat.

Her lips moulded with his as he kissed her back, his arm wrapping around her waist and pulled her over his lap making her straddle him.

He leaned back and let her kiss him however she wanted and for however long she wanted cause he was all hers to love. He loved excersizing control but for her, he would give it up. He would give up the whole world, just for her.

Cupping his cheeks, she kissed him passionately and Sorin parted his lips granting her access.

When their tongues met, Sorin moaned into her mouth making her kiss him harder, her fingers moving up and tangling in his hair, tugging at them.

Panting, she pulled back and Sorin spoke against her lips, "What was that for?"

"I love you."

Her response made him smile and grabbing the back of her head, he pulled her in for another kiss.

"I love you too, mi amor." He whispered back and she placed her head on his shoulder, cherishing the feeling of being in his arms. Her home.

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.
.

Drea and Adrian knelt at their father's grave later that day, Sorin had stepped back to give them some privacy.

He still hardly spoke with Adrian but he missed him. He missed him a lot. After all, he was his brother and best friend. He had spent his childhood with him.

So when Adrian and Drea got up, Sorin kept aside his ego aside and walked up to him.

Drea watched him curiously, afraid they will start another argument but she was shocked when Sorin just simply came closer and hugged Adrian. Tightly.

His head resting on his shoulders and his eyes shut firmly as if afraid Adrian is going to push him away any second.

"I'm sorry." Sorin muttered softly. "Please forgive me. I want us to be friends again, I want us to be brothers again."

About time. Drea thought, smiling to herself watching them.

When Adrian didn't return his hug and just stood there, Sorin started to pull back only for Adrian to finally wrap his arms around him, hugging him back.

"I am sorry too, little brother. I'm sorry for running away and never once coming back. I'm sorry for hurting you. I always loved you and I still do, you were the only brother I ever had how can I not?"

He further added. "I was there when you were born, when you first opened your eyes, when you first smiled at me, said you first word, took your first steps. I was there at every point of your life and I wanted to be there when you grow up into a man but my stupidity caused me to run away and I missed those moments."

"Don't you dare run away ever again or I will kill you personally with your own gun." Sorin warned as a tear rolled down his eyes.

Chuckling, Adrian pulled back and kissed his forehead. "Never again. I promise."

Drea wiped away the tears that formed in the corner of her eyes due to happiness.

"Thank goodness." She muttered stepping closer to him making Sorin roll his eyes which earned him a smack on his shoulder by Adrian.

"You better take good care of my sister."

"I will." Sorin assured him, staring lovingly at Drea making her blush.

"Anyway..." He said. "How about dinner tomorrow at my house? Your family and my parents...how does that sound?"

Smiling, Adrian pulled them both in a group hug. "Sounds like old times."

Chapter completion on: 17/5/22
Published on: 17/5/22

Only the epilogue left now...