Chapter 5

Aurelia’s POV

My blood turned to ice as Callum stood behind me, his gaze flickering from my laptop screen to my face.

I forced myself to remain calm.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

A humorless laugh escaped him.

“This is my office,” he snapped.

“Right,” I laughed nervously.

He took a few steps forward, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Why won't you let things be, Aurelia? Why do you keep digging?” he hissed at me.

My grip tightened around the edge of the desk.

“Why didn't you tell anyone you were kidnapped and how did you survive?” I asked, my tone dripping with suspicion.

His jaw tightened, “I am the head of the Arden Family. I can't go around letting everyone know that in a moment of weakness, I was kidnapped. Besides, I fought my way out and escaped.”

“But why did you lie to me? Why didn't you tell me?” I queried.

His voice was sharp, “If word gets out that I was kidnapped, every enemy we have will see weakness. I couldn't risk you knowing.”

I frowned. His explanation made sense yet I still couldn't tell why I didn't fully believe him.

“Then why alter the footage?” I asked.

“Because I didn’t want questions,” he held my gaze, “Questions exactly like the ones you’re asking now.”

Part of me wanted to believe him.

Another part couldn’t forget the man who had forgotten our anniversary trip. The man who no longer remembered Nolan’s soccer tournament. The man who looked at me like a stranger.

Finally, I lowered my gaze.

“I’m sorry.”

Surprise flashed across his face then he nodded.

“Good.”

I forced a small smile, “I’ll drop it.”

The tension in the room immediately eased. Callum reached over and closed my laptop.

“That’s the smartest thing you’ve done all week,” he said.

—

The following morning, I acted as though nothing had happened.

I ate breakfast with Nolan, I chatted with the house staff, I even laughed at one of Marco’s terrible jokes, and all the while waiting.

At exactly ten o’clock, Callum walked into the dining room. He was dressed entirely in black with an unreadable expression.

“I’m heading out,” he announced.

I looked up, “Business?”

“Yes.”

“Can I come?” I asked eagerly.

“No,” he snapped, “I’m busy.”

“But—”

“No.” His tone left no room for argument.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach but everything was going according to my plan.

The moment his car disappeared through the front gates, I moved.

Forty minutes later, I was carefully following his SUV through the city, keeping enough distance to avoid detection.

Eventually, the convoy left the city center. The buildings became older and the streets became emptier.

Finally, Callum’s vehicle stopped outside an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town.

I parked several blocks away then followed on foot. The closer I got, the louder the voices became.

I slipped behind a stack of rusted shipping containers then I heard Callum speak.

“That bitch is becoming a problem.”

The words hit me like a slap. For a moment, I wondered if I had heard wrong then he spoke again.

“If she keeps digging, she’ll ruin everything.”

Cold sweat broke out across my skin. He was talking about me.

A man’s voice answered through the phone but I couldn’t make out the words.

Callum laughed coldly, “Don’t worry, we’ll get rid of her soon.”

My stomach dropped. Get rid of her? He wanted me dead.

The realization hit me like a truck as I took a step backward. I needed to leave here immediately and find out what the hell was going on.

A hand suddenly clamped down on my shoulder and I gasped. Before I could react, someone twisted my arm behind my back as pain shot through me.

“What do we have here?” a rough voice sneered.

My heart crashed against my ribs as an unfamiliar man stood behind me. The man shoved me forward.

“Boss.”

Callum slowly turned around. The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression darkened.

“Are you serious?” he swore softly.

The henchman tightened his grip on my arm.

“Found her sneaking around,” he said.

Callum stared at me. The disappointment on his face quickly transformed into fury.

“You followed me?” he queried.

“You wouldn't let me come with you,” I shot back.

“Why are you so meddlesome?” he snapped.

“Is that why you want to kill me?” I asked, arching my brow.

A part of me prayed he would laugh and tell me I was wrong that he was talking about someone else instead he smiled.

“Yes,” he answered simply.

My blood ran cold. He wasn’t denying it.

“You really don’t know when to quit,” he said coldly, “I was planning to keep you around for a little longer. But since you’re in such a hurry to die…”

He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a gun. My breath caught as the henchmen released me and I stumbled backwards.

I forced myself not to flinch as Callum slowly raised the gun, pointing it directly at my chest.

I stared directly into his eyes, “You won’t shoot me.”

“You still don’t get it, do you?” A cold smile spread across his face, “I’m not your husband.”