But he couldn't bring himself to destroy the peaceful moment.
Not yet.
The following morning, Michael arrived with a box of documents.
He placed it on Adrian's desk.
"I found the original accident report, along with several documents that weren't included in the final investigation."
Adrian opened the box.
The first report contained the usual information.
The accident had occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m. on June 17.
The road was wet.
Visibility was poor.
Sophia's vehicle had struck a metal barrier before rolling down a small embankment.
But one detail caught Adrian's attention.
There were no skid marks before the impact.
"Why wasn't this investigated?"
Michael pointed to a second document.
"The original report mentioned possible brake failure. But the final report classified the accident as a loss of control due to weather conditions."
Adrian looked up.
"Who changed it?"
Michael hesitated.
"The investigator who signed the final report retired shortly afterward. According to his assistant, he received a request from someone representing the Blackwood family."
"Who?"
"We're still trying to establish that."
Adrian continued examining the documents.
Then he found something unexpected.
A photograph taken inside Sophia's car.
The passenger seat was covered with papers.
Some had been damaged by rain, but one envelope remained partially intact.
Written across it were two words.
MARGARET CARTER.
Adrian felt his chest tighten.
Sophia had been carrying documents about Emily's mother on the night she died.
He turned toward Michael.
"Find out what was inside this envelope."
Michael nodded.
"I've already contacted the police archive. There may be a witness who was never interviewed."
"Who?"
"A roadside mechanic. He reported seeing another vehicle following Sophia shortly before the crash."
Adrian leaned forward.
"Did anyone question him?"
"No. His statement was apparently removed from the final report."
Adrian closed his eyes.
Someone had deliberately hidden evidence.
And that someone might still be inside his house.
That afternoon, Adrian confronted Victoria.
She was sitting in the conservatory, drinking tea.
When he entered, she immediately recognized the expression on his face.
"You've been investigating."
"Yes."
Victoria placed her cup down.
"Adrian, I told you to stop."
"You told me Sophia's death wasn't an accident."
"I was emotional."
"Then explain the missing evidence."
Victoria looked away.
Adrian placed the accident report on the table.
"Why was the original investigation changed?"
She said nothing.
"Why was Sophia carrying documents about Margaret Carter?"
Still nothing.
Finally, Victoria stood.
"Your wife was making a terrible mistake."
"What mistake?"
"She wanted to bring Margaret and her daughter into this family."
Adrian stared at her.
"Why would that be a mistake?"
"Because your father was dead. The family business was unstable. There were legal complications. And Margaret had no right to demand anything from us."
"She wasn't demanding anything. She was raising her daughter."
Victoria's voice became louder.
"That girl was the daughter of a man who had already passed away! What was I supposed to do? Give away everything your father had built?"
Adrian's expression darkened.
"Emily didn't ask for anything."
"Not yet."
The room fell silent.
Adrian slowly stepped closer.
"Did Sophia discover that Emily was Father's daughter?"
Victoria nodded.
"Yes."
"Did she plan to tell me?"
"She wanted to."
"Then why didn't she?"
Victoria looked down.
"Because I stopped her."
Adrian's hands tightened.
"How?"
Victoria didn't answer.
"Mother, what happened that night?"
Her eyes filled with tears.
For several moments, she seemed unable to speak.
Then she whispered, "I followed her."
Adrian froze.
"What?"
"Sophia had taken the documents. She was going to meet Margaret. I followed her because I wanted to stop her."
Adrian felt the blood drain from his face.
"You followed my wife?"
Victoria nodded.
"It was raining. We argued beside her car."
"What did you do?"
"I tried to take the envelope from her."
Adrian stared at her.
"And then?"
Victoria covered her mouth.
"Sophia got into the car. I was angry. I told her that if she revealed the truth, I would destroy everything she loved."
Adrian's voice trembled.
"Did you touch the car?"
Victoria began crying.
"I didn't mean for it to happen."
"Mother!"
"I grabbed the steering wheel when she tried to drive away. The car moved suddenly. Sophia lost control."
Adrian stepped backward.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe.
"You caused the accident."
Victoria shook her head desperately.
"I didn't know she would die! I swear I didn't know!"
Adrian looked at the woman who had raised him.
The woman who had held him when he was a child.
The woman who had attended his wedding.
The woman who had held his son after his birth.
And now he was learning that she had been involved in the death of the woman he loved.
"Why didn't you call for help?"
Victoria collapsed into a chair.
"I was terrified."
"So you left her there?"
"I panicked."
"And then you changed the investigation?"
Victoria didn't answer.
Adrian turned away.
He felt sick.
His mother had not only hidden the truth about Emily's birth.
She had taken Sophia away from him.
And she had allowed him to spend six months believing that his wife had died because of bad weather.
Adrian immediately called the police.
Victoria stood up.
"Adrian, please. I'm your mother."
He turned around.
"And Sophia was my wife."
Victoria began sobbing.
"I loved you."
"Then you should have told the truth."
The police arrived less than an hour later.
Victoria was taken away for questioning.
As she passed through the hallway, she looked toward the nursery.
Daniel was sitting on the floor with Emily.
The baby waved his little hand.
Victoria stopped for a moment.
Then she lowered her head.
That evening, Adrian sat alone in Sophia's bedroom.
He held her wedding photograph.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
His voice broke.
"I'm sorry I didn't know. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
He remained there for nearly an hour.
Then the door opened.
Emily stood quietly.
"Adrian?"
He wiped his eyes.
"Sorry. I didn't hear you."
She approached slowly.
"Daniel is asleep."
"Thank you."
Emily looked at the photograph.
"Is something wrong?"
Adrian looked at her.
He knew he couldn't hide the truth anymore.
"Emily, I need to tell you something about your mother."