Avery POV
The next day, I found myself in Aidan’s office, sitting on the edge of his desk with the mysterious wooden box cradled in my lap.
It had occupied my mind since yesterday, its presence gnawing at me like an unsolved riddle. I had tried everything—shaking it, prying at the edges with my nails, even slamming it against Aidan’s desk—but the damn thing wouldn’t budge. My frustration grew with each failed attempt, and I was now seconds away from hurling it across the room.
"You have got to be kidding me," I muttered, gripping the box tighter. "I’ve broken ribs with less effort than this."
Aidan, who had been working at his desk, finally looked up, his sharp gaze filled with quiet amusement. "Are you asking for help, or are you planning to keep up this one-sided fight with an inanim
