Kimberly
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the screen of my phone in disbelief. The name flashing across the display made my stomach churn with both apprehension and something I couldn’t quite identify. Aiden.
Why was he calling me? How had he even gotten my number?
For a moment, I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the accept button. If Kendrick found out, there would be hell to pay. But curiosity—and the faint hope that maybe someone cared—won out. I answered.
“Hello?” I said cautiously, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Kimberly,” Aiden’s deep, steady voice came through the line, and it sent a wave of conflicting emotions through me. Relief, guilt, and fear all tangled together.
“Aiden?” I asked, still stunned. “How… how did you get my number?”
He chuckled softly, though t
