Chapter 51

Ivy, present time...

As the days dragged on, my refuge at Dale's house began to feel more like a prison. I constantly scanned the horizon for any sign of Aidan, knowing that he could easily track me down if he truly wanted to. Although his absence brought a sense of relief, it also filled me with an underlying unease - how long could I continue hiding like this?

Four endless days had passed since I arrived at Dale's doorstep, desperate and on edge. The creaking floorboards and musty smell of the old cabin were starting to grate on my nerves. Yet, the idea of remaining hidden indefinitely seemed absurd when I had a life to return to and a company to run.

I longed for normalcy, for the familiar bustle of my office and the comfort of routine. But for now, all I could do was wait and pray that Aidan wouldn't find me before I was ready.

But at the same time, did I really want to stay away from Aidan forever?