Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband-Chapter 276: Come On

"Aiden, I need to talk to you."

Aiden glanced up from the papers scattered across his desk, his features ragged.

For a moment, Nate hesitated, knowing that whatever he said would not help ease Aiden’s pain. However, he still needed to discuss things so he could only go inside.

As he took a seat, Aiden began, "Nate. Thank you. If it hadn’t been for you stepping up and taking on the mantle..."

Nate waved a hand dismissively as he settled in. "There’s no need for gratitude, Aiden. All these years, you’ve carried the weight of everything while shielding us from the worst of it. I’m just glad I can finally do something to help you."

Aiden nodded distantly, "Still," he said after a beat, "your willingness to step in means more than you realize." He straightened in his chair, the faint warmth in his expression quickly replaced by his usual composed demeanor. "So, do you have any questions? Anything you’re unsure about? I’ve already instructed Assistant An to provide you with whatever support you might need. But if there’s something specific, now’s the time to ask."

Nate leaned back slightly, studying Aiden carefully. He hesitated, his fingers lightly drumming against the armrest of his chair. Then, with a deep breath, he finally spoke. "Ella."

The single name landed like a stone in the room, cutting through the air with palpable weight. Aiden’s reaction was immediate. His posture stiffened, his jaw tightening as his eyes darted away from Nate. For a moment, he seemed to retreat into himself, the tension in his shoulders unmistakable.

"What about her?" Aiden asked, his voice low, almost cautious.

Nate’s gaze didn’t waver. "Are you not even curious about how she’s doing?"

Aiden’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned his attention back to the papers on his desk, though it was clear his mind was no longer on them. "I’m sure she’s fine," he said tersely. "If she wasn’t, you would have arranged a funeral already."

The coldness in his tone made Nate wince and he tried to say, "Aiden. Look at me."

Aiden didn’t move at first, his hands clenching slightly as he stared at the desk. When he finally turned his head, Nate was struck by the emptiness in Aiden’s eyes.

Nate’s throat tightened as he sighed. "I won’t ask you to forgive her," he began, his voice low but steady. "She... she’s still in recovery. And I won’t deny that what she did was wrong. Unforgivable, even. But you haven’t reported her to the police yet, Aiden. That tells me you have some kind of plan. So, what do you intend to do with her?"

Aiden’s gaze remained fixed on Nate, unreadable and cold, as if he were carefully choosing his words. "My decision not to throw her in prison," he finally said, his voice like ice, "has nothing to do with any lingering feelings for her. As far as I’m concerned, the sister I once had is already dead. She ceased to exist the moment she made her choices." His tone hardened further, his jaw tightening. "The only reason she’s still breathing freely is because of Grandmother. That’s all."

"Even if she can tell you about Serena?" Nate asked carefully.

Aiden stilled. "What do you mean?"

Nate sighed," She didn’t do it, Aiden. You know it. I know it." Aiden snorted at that. He’d thought so too. But Ella had confessed.

Nate shook his head,’ Nate let out a slow breath, as if steadying himself. "Think about it. If Ella was acting on impulse, then how did a dress in Kimberlee’s size appear within minutes of Serena’s disappearance? And the veil, Aiden—the veil Kimberlee wore that day wasn’t the original one Grandmother gave Serena. I had it examined."

"It is made using modern technology. Someone had carefully planned getting rid of Serena and replacing her with Kimberlee. As for who did that, you and I both can guess whom Ella is protecting."

"It doesn’t matter who she’s protecting, Nate," Aiden said, his tone icy and unyielding. "The end result remains the same. Serena is gone, and Ella is the one responsible for it."

Nate inhaled sharply, his expression tightening as he tried to keep his composure. "Ella is also the last person who likely saw Serena alive," he countered firmly. "Think about it, Aiden. We both know she’s the one who took an injured Serena away that night. But let’s be honest—Ella doesn’t have the stomach to go all the way. She’s not capable of... of taking that final step. You know that as well as I do."

Aiden’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing, "Listen to me," Nate pressed. "You’re not the only one looking for Serena. Kimberlee and Charles are digging for information too—I know that for a fact. They’re leaving no stone unturned.And what does that tell you?"

"It tells me they don’t know for sure where Ella took Serena. Or that for sure something happened to her. If they had the answers, they wouldn’t be searching so desperately. That means there’s still a chance, Aiden. We just need to talk to Ella. If anyone has the key to finding Serena, it’s her."

Aiden let out a sharp breath, his frustration evident. "Then ask her," he bit out, his words clipped and impatient.

"I’ve tried," Nate said softly, "But she’s not in a place where she can give us answers, Aiden. You know what she’s been through. She’s still recovering from heart surgery. Her body might be healing, but her mind..." He shook his head. "Her mind is somewhere else entirely. She hasn’t spoken a single word—not to me, not to anyone. Every time she wakes up, she just stares at the door."

"What are you saying?" Aiden asked slowly.

"I’m saying that she doesn’t even recognize anyone anymore," Nate replied. "Not me, not the doctors, not even Grandmother. But every time she opens her eyes, she looks at that door like she’s waiting. Waiting for something... or someone."

"And you think that someone is me," Aiden finished flatly.

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