Aiden
I hadn’t slept in days.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face. That warm, hesitant smile. The way she looked at me when she was finally starting to trust again. Kimberly.
Gone.
The moment I stepped into that cottage and found it empty, a chill had washed through me like ice water in my veins. At first, I thought maybe she’d gone for a walk. She loved the woods surrounding the cabin, especially at dawn when the mist curled low to the ground like some ancient breath.
But hours passed, and she didn’t return.
Her coat still hung on the rack by the door. Her shoes were by the hearth. Her teacup—half-full—sat on the table.
She hadn’t meant to leave.
Something happened.
I tried calling her. Over and over. Each time, the call went straight to voicemail. I left messages, my voi
