Chapter 16
The First Condition
Mara placed the photograph of her mother on Adrian’s desk.
“I want the full archive. Mercer Crown employee records. Security contractors. Every document connected to my debt.”
“You will have it.”
“I want Julian’s hospital file protected.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
“That is not part of the contract.”
“It is now.”
“You are asking me to protect a man who wants to take you away from me.”
“I’m asking you to stop turning every person I love into a competitor.”
He looked away first.
“I can put a legal monitor on St. Augustine Medical Center. I can stop any Mercer Crown employee from accessing Julian’s records without a court order. I will not interfere with his work or movements.”
“Publicly.”
“What?”
“If Victor interferes, you stop him publicly.”
Adrian took out his phone and made three calls. The first was to legal. The second was to security. The third was to the hospital board.
When he finished, Mara picked up the contract.
“I’m not staying here as your silent companion.”
“I know.”
“I will not lie if someone asks whether I love you.”
“You already answered.”
“I will not touch you because cameras expect it.”
“Then don’t.”
He wrote a new clause by hand: Mara retained independent movement, employment, and communication rights unless an immediate threat was documented and independently reviewed.
He signed.
Mara signed beneath him.
Daniel’s call arrived before either could put down the pen.
The Hudson River creditor petition had been withdrawn.
Victor Mercer had purchased the remaining claims.
Adrian’s phone rang again.
This time it was Julian.
“Mara,” he said, breathless. “I found Q-17.”
“Where?”
“In the hospital basement.”
Adrian’s hand went still around hers.
Julian’s voice dropped.
“It isn’t a patient file. It’s a room.”
Static swallowed the line.
Then a child began to cry on the other end.