Chapter Twenty–Seven
Kyle’s POV
I tailed Aiden all day. The bastard either knew I was following him or had the most
monotonous routine I’d ever witnessed. 10 a.m., he arrived at one of his companies
here in the country. Stayed in his office even during and after lunch, although I saw
his secretary or whatever the man was moved around that time to get him lunch. 4
p.m., he left for dinner at a high–end restaurant, where he entertained himself with overpriced food and a different woman on his arm each time. 6 p.m., he returned to his hotel with a new fling in his arms and stayed there until later in the evening. Around 8 p.m., he’d head home alone, only to leave again an hour later for the
clubhouse.
It was infuriating. Every move, every step, was calculated, like a sick routine, as if he
was mocking me, daring me to find something, anything out of place, which I found
none. And I was losing my patience. By the time the second day rolled around, I was ready to call it quits. I had wasted time, lost sleep, and found absolutely nothing to indicate that Aiden had any real connection to Ava. Maybe this was all in my head. Maybe Aiden had been toying with me, watching me make a fool out of myself for his
own sick amusement.
And the worst?
The migraine.
Have you ever felt your head pounding so hard it felt like it was being smashed in a mortar? That was exactly how I felt. My head hurt so much that my vision dimmed. A groan slipped past my lips, my knuckles tightening on the steering wheel as I allowed my head to fall forward. Usually, alcohol numbed it for the night and aspirin handled the morning after, but I was in no state for either and it was killing me.
Tailing Aiden had taken up all my time, resulting in a skull–splitting headache. That bastard had planted his claws under my skin, and I had danced to his tune just as he wanted. Why the hell did I believe him? Why did I let him get into my head like this? How the hell did I convince myself he was referring to Ava when I hadn’t found her in
seven months?
O
1/5
<Chapter Twenty–Seven
+8 Points >
Fist clenched, teeth gritted, I lifted my head, ready to start the car, but the pain in my skull was becoming unbearable, affecting my vision even more. I needed something fast, anything to alleviate it. With the decision to stop by a pharmacy, I ignited the engine and zoomed down the narrow road, allowing my thoughts to drift.
Am I being selfish? I have a son now, a family. I shouldn’t be pursuing my ex, right? Because if I found her, what would that change? I broke her. I pushed her away. So why does the need to see her again overpower my senses? Why does my heart ache just at the thought of her?
My grip on the wheel tightened as I battled with my thoughts. Maybe all I need is just a glance, just to make sure she’s all right. Yeah, that’s all I need, and then I can let her go after that. I tried to convince myself, but deep down, I knew it was a lie. It was something deeper. I needed to see Ava, to be in her space just as desperately as I need air. It might sound foolish, but right now, that’s the only thing I truly believe I
need.
A tall building with a pharmacy billboard caught my attention, and I parked by the roadside. The cool breeze seemed to intensify the pressure in my head as it fanned my face, so I lowered my head slightly in a weak attempt to ease the sensation.
“Tell her to reschedule tomorrow. I’ll do it.”
The familiar voice made me halt in my step, and for a moment, I stood frozen, my head still lowered, brow furrowed as I tried to place where I had heard it before.
Seconds passed before realization struck.
No way!
My head snapped up so fast I nearly lost balance. But, I didn’t care. My eyes searched frantically for the person until it locked onto the woman just across the road. Her
familiar hair was pulled back in a messy bun, just as the last time I saw her.
Phoenix? Is that Phoenix? Ava’s friend?
My heart skyrocketed, and for a moment, all I could do was stare as she ended the call, took a glance at the street, and pulled her car door open. I was frozen, struggling
to process whether she truly was the one, even though I knew she was. It wasn’t until
the car jolted forward that I snapped out of my daze.
|||
O
2/5
r
Chapter Twenty–Seven
+0 Points
My feet moved before my brain could catch up. In a blink, I was in my driver’s seat,
trailing after Phoenix. It wasn’t until I was a few meters behind her that I slowed
down, not wanting to raise suspicion.
Ava.
My heart tightened with fear and something dangerously close to excitement. Seeing
Phoenix meant Ava was here too. She had to be. The need to see her for myself, to
confirm she was here and safe, pushed me into tailing Phoenix, following her at every
turn and stoplight until she finally pulled up in front of a tall building.
I sat back in my car, watching as she stepped out, then walked past two buildings
before unlocking a side door. I leaned forward slightly, observing every detail. The
urge to step out was strong, but I couldn’t risk it. I needed to be sure this was her
place before making any drastic moves.
I stayed put for hours, watching as night swallowed the daylight. My stomach
churned with hunger till it was tired, and even my headache eventually got tired
during the long hours of waiting. I couldn’t dare take a nap, even when sleep nudged
at me many times. However, throughout those torturous hours, Phoenix never came
out, not even once. I had watched one or two people leave the building, but none of
them interested me, as they weren’t who I was looking for.
Tired but satisfied that this might be their home, I finally decided to retire for the
night. The migraine was preparing to launch another attack, and I needed rest if I was
going to return early tomorrow.
I drove back to the hotel, and as soon as I stepped out of the elevator, Alex was right
in front of me.
“Where the hell have you been, man?” he demanded. He must have been waiting
outside for me since we didn’t share a room.
I ignored him, unlocking my door in silence.
Alex exhaled loudly behind me. “You know this is pointless and irresponsible, right? I
don’t know what that guy has against you, but you should know by now he was playing you. The ghost, or past, or whatever he meant, doesn’t exist. At least not in this part of the country. Haven’t you noticed yet?”
r
315
< Chapter Twenty–Seven
“It does.”
“Excuse me?”
I turned to face him. “The ghost… it exists. I saw Phoenix.”
He stared at me, his face twisted in confusion. Then, as if it just clicked, his brows
flew up in realization. “Phoenix? Ava’s friend?”
I nodded.
“Oh my God, did you see Ava?”
“No,” I murmured, flipping off my shoes.
And that was why I was restless. I didn’t see her. A part of me believed she was inside, but another part feared I was wrong.
I didn’t realize I was pacing until Alex’s next question made me halt.
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to seek her out, Kyle.”
My eyes met his but I didn’t speak a word. He must have seen my answer in them
because he groaned, his gaze hardening. “No, you’re not doing this.”
Silence.
“Come on, man. You have a wife and a kid. Why the hell are you chasing after your
ex?”
Ex.
The word sparked something sharp and unpleasant in my chest.
Tired and with my headache worsening, I decided to let it go for now, but Alex wasn’t
done.
“What do you hope to gain by seeking her out? You two are already divorced, and it should stay that way.” His voice was a bit loud now, and although I was irritated by his judgment, I knew I needed to rest if I was going to be strong enough to find her
tomorrow.
“I just want to know she’s fine, that’s all,” I muttered, taking my seat on the bed just as I pulled off my wristwatch.
|||
O
415
< Chapter Twenty–Seven
“Why do you need to? And let’s say you do. What next? Will you show up at her doorstep? Or do you think you’ll be satisfied just watching from afar?”
Will I?
No. I knew I wouldn’t. I missed her. Seeing her from afar wouldn’t be enough.
“f**k!” Alex groaned, and before I knew it, the door slammed shut behind him, leaving
me in a chilly silence.
He was angry and didn’t seem to understand my actions. I understood. But he wouldn’t understand even if I tried to explain myself.
If I don’t see Ava, I don’t know if I can hold myself together much longer.
2
