Aiden's pov.
A sharp exhale slipped past my lips, staying in the office wasn't any better. I picked up the fountain pen to resume the contract review I've been on for hours, and just like before, the words stared back at me, without making any sense.
Where could she be? Even if the accident wasn't fatal, she shouldn't be alone, things might get complicated. She was supposed to come back begging after Vivian sent her off, how could she just walk away?
I ran a hand through my hair.
This is messed up.
Everything is messed up.
Father's birthday and hospital leave is around the corner. She needs to be there or he'll start asking questions.
My breath stilled.
Or is there really someone out there waiting—
Ding.
My gaze shifted to the door, " Come in"
Avery, the chief financial officer, walked in, the side of her lips, attempting a smile, "Sir, the sketch for Brownell's interiors has been finalized. We just need to send the finalized contract with it."
I cleared my throat, "Okay. I'll call you when I'm done."
Her brows shot upward, " You are not?"
I shot her a glare and she chuckled nervously, " I'm sorry, sir."
With a curt bow, she left.
There's no—
Ding.
Who the fuck is that?
My fists clenched tight, gaze burning at the door.
Alex walked in.
I leaned back, rolling my sleeves up as he carefully closed the door before our eyes locked.
"Good day sir."
"Get straight to the point."
"Mr Ethan took her away."
My gaze widened, jaw dropped.
"What!?"
He nodded.
"Yes sir."
My fists clenched tight.
Where did he take her!?"
He sighed heavily, " I'm not sure about that, Sir, but it should be somewhere between his estate and the company."
A sharp shaky breath escaped my lips.
"Get the car ready, we are paying Ethan a visit."
He froze halfway, "Sir?... I mean, it's been years since you last saw him and it was right after he was found innocent of your daughter's kidnap, is that okay?
My jaw clenched tight, before my gaze met his.
"I'll do just that, sir." He said, then hurried off immediately.
The cool wind slapped across my face as I got into the car, slamming the door shut. What is he doing with her? What is he telling her? What is he making her do!"
My fists clenched the leather tight. He's not the one, right? The one waiting for her? The one she wanted the whole divorce for? He's not the one.
Fuck.
I shouldn't have let her leave.
My breath slowly grew ragged despite how I tried to control myself after noticing Alex's stealing glances.
Is there something else?" I asked, feeling my chest tighten.
Alex bit his lower lip, "Sir, I think we've been wrong all along."
My throat tightened, " What are you talking about? If he's not with her.. who is?"
"It's not about that sir." He said before meeting my gaze again.
"Mrs Helen, the new housekeeper, confirmed that she had heard Mrs. Kate and Miss Ellen argue after you served her the divorce papers and that Miss Ellen admitted to hitting the child herself."
My breath hitched, gaze snapped at him.
"What!?"
He nodded, refocused on the road. "And I think it's true. I mean, Mrs Kate is not one to harm a child. She's always sweet to them."
My chest felt like a sword had pierced through it.
No. She must have heard wrong.
"You remember she always makes sure we hold our Charity events at the orphanages just for the kids. Can all of that be a camouflage?"
I swallowed hard.
It has to. There's no way I made such a terrible mistake.
It has to.
I tightened palming my head, like it could stop the throbbing but it only worsened it. " Why are you just telling me?"
"I was only told yesterday and didn't get the chance to tell you with everyone around."
My fists balled tighter, " Your job is on the line, if I don't find her."
His Adam's apple bobbed and soon I couldn't picture anything we drove past. He was speeding, the exact way I wanted him.
How could I not know? How could I have been so clueless, believing the woman I knew for not less than a year, to the one I've spent years with.
My teeth dug deeper in my lower lip, as I tried to steady my breath. I can't let us end like this. I'm getting her back. She's mine. That was what we promised. I know I failed mine, it doesn't mean she should fail hers.
My phone's vibration snapped me out of my thoughts and a sharp exhale slipped past my lips.
"Ma."
"It's been three years since you've wanted a child and five years since you wanted a male one, now that he's here, you just abandoned him for the office?" Her voice came in sharp and accusing.
My jaw clenched tight.
"Kate was innocent." I heard myself say.
What!?"
"Kate was innocent." I said firmly. " She didn't hit the child. Ellen did… just to tear us apart. She and her child should be gone by the time I arrive back with Kate."
"No. No. You can't risk that. Your father will mark you unworthy."
"I don't care." I bellowed. "She's with Ethan now, the longer I wait, the farther she'll slip off. He'll turn her against me."
She released a heavy breath.
"Ethan?"
"Yes and—"
Then let her be."
I raised a brow.
"What!?"
"Do you remember why you lost the temporary Patriarch position to him?"
I sighed heavily.
"Because you accused him of taking your daughter. If all this appears to be your fault again, what do you think will happen? Think Aiden. She struck your child and you divorced her… it's that simple."
"I can't do that to Kate."
"Of course you are not doing it to her. You are doing it for her. She still thinks Ethan took Lisa, so nothing will happen between them. You just have to hold on until the appointment and after that she's all yours."
"You don't—"
"I do, Aiden. Just hold on till then and ensure that Ellen and her mom never hears of this. We'll strike when the time is right."
"We've found her, sir." Alex interrupted and I hung up immediately.
"What? Where? Head over there immediately."
He chuckled, putting back his phone in the divider, " She went to sell the wedding ring and got arrested."