83

AIDEN

MONDAY

I dipped everything. Files. Contracts. My cell phone while scouring for my keys. I wasn’t the organized and detailed fellow. I was frantic and topping over things. My senses went haywire, a term I hadn’t understood until this very moment. It’s like thinking about everything all at once. Allotting your brain with so much information that it’s unable to process any of it.

How long had she been there? My father knew, but he said nothing. Was it chronic? My chest tensed. She called me herself, but how about Bella? Last I knew, my mother was investing and traveling around the world. She should not be in New York.

I nearly stumbled to grab my phone off the desk as it rang. The call had been cut off before, and I would resort to other strategies if I didn't have an answer. Soon.

“Aiden. I’m not in New York.”

I waited.

“What? Where are you? I’ll drive down now, or I’ll book the next flight there. How long have you been?”

“Aiden.”

She couldn’t berate correctly. Her voice was raspy,