Chapter 629:

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A voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Oh shit!”

Nicole’s brows drew tight. Her voice came sharp and clear. “What is it?”

Leonel quickly added, “The bed’s cold. He must’ve left a long while ago.”

ո𝗈𝗏еlѕ 𝗶n 𝘵𝗋еո𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝗀a𝗹𝗇𝗼𝘃e𝗅s.𝖼om

Nicole’s stomach dropped. Her eyelid twitched. “Get moving. I want the whole area searched. Call anyone you need. I want him found before daylight.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She pressed on, “How far are you from my hotel?”

“Thirty kilometers. Give or take.”

Her brow furrowed. If he was close by, why hadn’t Aidan come to her? Then she remembered what Leonel had said earlier—his mood hadn’t been right.

Had something already gone wrong? Could it be tied to the man caught on camera—the one who Marissa mentioned?

There was no time to waste. Her jaw tightened as she gave her next order. “Send me your location. I’ll take a cab right away.”

“Yes.”

The call ended. Her mind spun in a blur of dread. The fear that Aidan might get hurt again clung to her. She scrolled through her call log and tapped his number.

Nothing. The line rang. No one picked up.

The silence squeezed at her chest. She tried again, lips pressed in silent prayer. She wished he could pick up, or that Aidy would fade, and Aidan would return.

She threw on her clothes as the second call rang out. Still no answer. She tried once more, slipped on her shoes, and snatched her bag from the chair.

Panic drove her to the door, her steps quick and clumsy. Just as she grabbed the knob, she heard a ringtone. The sound was light—almost like it wasn’t real. Not far away, but not close either.

The call cut off. The ringtone died.

She stood frozen, her heart caught in her throat. Then she called again. The faint ringtone appeared again.

She didn’t end the call this time. With one hand gripping the knob, she held her breath. Slowly, she turned it open.

True to Nicole’s expectations, Aidan was seated just outside her door. Curled tightly into a ball, drenched through and through, his jet-black hair clung to his face. Drops of water fell from the wet strands onto the carpet, disappearing the moment they touched. Nicole hurried past him and stopped right before him.

His face was hidden in his knees, and in one hand, he gripped the phone with a shattered screen. Rain pooled on its surface. A faint blend of scents rose from him—the earthy sweetness of wet grass, heavy cigarette smoke, and a hint of sandalwood.

“Aidy,” Nicole began softly. She had no idea how long he had been sitting there.

Aidan lifted his head, his skin pale as death. The dampness emphasized his sharp features. He closed his eyes briefly as a raindrop traced down his lashes and fell. His lips were pale with a bluish tint, as if drained of warmth.

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