Sophie Found an Old Photograph and a Note That Said “Tomorrow” — Then Daniel Asked Vanessa Who the Man Was
Chapter 4 — Adrian’s Version of the Night
According to the family story, Adrian took Nathan from Caroline’s house during a birthday party.
His car disappeared.
So did the baby.
Police searched for years.
Nothing.
Adrian became the villain in every retelling.
But his version was completely different.
Vanessa explained.
Caroline had been struggling after Nathan’s birth.
Her marriage was collapsing.
The baby’s father, Eric, was volatile and frequently disappeared for days.
Caroline became afraid Nathan was unsafe.
One evening, she called Adrian.
She asked him to take the baby temporarily.
“Temporarily?” Daniel asked.
Vanessa nodded.
Adrian drove Nathan to a trusted family friend several hours away.
He expected Caroline to follow the next morning.
She never did.
Instead, police began searching for Adrian.
Caroline told everyone he had stolen the baby.
“Why would she do that?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Adrian says Eric threatened her.”
If Caroline admitted she willingly gave Nathan away, Eric planned to accuse her of abandonment and destroy her in court.
So she panicked.
Then things got worse.
The family friend caring for Nathan moved suddenly after receiving threats.
Adrian lost contact with both her and the baby.
He spent years trying to locate them.
“And nobody believed him?” Daniel asked.
“He never came back to explain.”
“Why?”
Vanessa looked ashamed.
“Because he was afraid he’d be arrested.”
Daniel sat down.
“So what changed now?”
Vanessa looked toward the old photograph.
“Adrian says he finally found Nathan.”
“Noah.”
She nodded.
“And tomorrow, he wants me to meet him.”
