Pamela had already burned through most of her money and, without a shred of shame, showed up at Aiden’s office.
“Aiden, you said you’d help cover household expenses, remember? Esme saw a dress she liked, and I’m completely broke.”
She’d lie through her teeth if it meant getting a dime.
Aiden slammed his hand on the desk, sending papers flying in every direction. He looked down at her with a gaze like ice.
“Oh? So you’re saying Esme’s been with you all this time?”
Pamela nodded eagerly, but Aiden didn’t let her off so easily. “Bring her here,” he said flatly. “Then you’ll get your money.”
She hesitated, her mind clearly scrambling for a way to dodge the request. But before she could come up with any- thing, the hotel in Paris called to confirm I had checked in again.
Aiden told Luca to bring Pamela back and keep her under watch–no leaving without his permission.
Aiden was fast. I ran into him in the elevator. The moment our eyes met, my stomach dropped.
“Esme, are you okay?”
His eyes were rimmed with red, raw from sleepless nights. Before I could answer, he grabbed me fiercely, like he was afraid I’d slip through his fingers.
“I finally found you,” he whispered harshly. “Why did you leave me? Come home.”
He tried to drag me out, but I resisted. Nico quickly stepped in, placing himself between us.
“I think you’re mistaken,” he said firmly. “She’s my girlfriend. Please respect that.”
Aiden stared at me in disbelief. With Nico shielding me, I quickly ducked into the room.
Just as I was about to shut the door, Aiden shoved his hand against it, holding it open.
“Esme, since when were you his girlfriend?” His voice cracked with disbelief. “Come on. Be good. Stop this non- sense. Come home.”
His words crushed down on my chest like a weight, stealing the air from my lungs.
“I think my boyfriend made things clear enough,” I said, steadying my voice. “You’re mistaken. I don’t know you. Please leave–we need to rest.”
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10:01
Chapter 8 Reunion
While Aiden reeled from my words, Nico pushed the door shut.
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He turned to me with concern in his eyes. “Esme, this place isn’t as safe as home. You need to be careful. Don’t go out alone, okay?”
I saw genuine worry in Nico’s eyes and nodded softly.
But Aiden didn’t give up. He started camping outside our door every day. Nico and I had to sneak out to grab a meal together.
“What do you want from me?”
I finally confronted him face to face.
“Esme.” His voice was hoarse. “You really don’t remember me? How did it come to this?”
His eyes shimmered with something too raw to hide. And for a moment, something deep inside me stirred. But I shoved it down hard.
Maybe he saw I wasn’t pretending because without another word, he turned and walked away. His shoulders slumped in defeat.
Later, Aiden visited a psychologist. The expert said I must have some painful memories that I wanted to forget. There were many ways to help recover memories safely.
“So, how can I help her remember?”
“Create new memories with her. Meaningful ones. That’s the best way to help her brain begin to heal.”
Aiden wasn’t sure he believed it. But then he remembered one small moment–when things were good.
“The last time you had that stomach bleed from drinking,” Luca had reminded him once, “Ms. Morgan was so wor- ried, she stayed at the hospital all night. Didn’t sleep a wink. She even made me promise to remind you not to overdo it at events.”
Aiden was silent for a long time. Then, quietly, he decided to try.
