Maybe

Chapter 63 Aiden's grief

The kidnapper cursed loudly, his frustration boiling over as he shoved me away like I was nothing more than an obstacle. The sudden force sent me sprawling to the ground, pain shooting through my ankle as I landed awkwardly. I winced, clutching it instinctively.

Ethan was frozen mid-step, his eyes darting between me and the kidnapper.

And then the man did something I never expected.

He pulled off his mask.

My breath caught in my throat, the pain in my ankle momentarily forgotten.

"Aiden?" I whispered, disbelief and confusion flooding my voice.

He smirked, his face twisted with something dark, a far cry from the person I thought I knew.

"You really are slow, Nina," Aiden sneered, his gaze darting to Ethan with disdain. "But then again, you always needed someone to protect you, didn't you?"

Ethan's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "You've lost it, Aiden. What the hell is this?"

"This?" Aiden spread his arms dramatically. "This is what happens when people like me are ignored and trampled on while people like you get everything handed to them. Everything I planned, everything I worked for—you just show up and ruin it. Over and over again."

Ethan stepped forward, his voice laced with venom. "You call stalking and kidnapping a plan? What's wrong with you?"

Aiden's smirk deepened. "You wouldn't understand, Ethan. You've never been invisible. Do you know how much effort it took to get this far? How many times did I follow her, waiting for the perfect moment to take her? But you—"he pointed an accusatory finger at Ethan"—were always in the way. Always there at just the right time to ruin it!"

My blood ran cold as his words sank in.

All those times I felt like someone was watching me... the unease in the pit of my stomach when I walked alone... it was him.

I glanced at Ethan, my head suddenly tilting. It's all the effect of the drug.

Ethan didn't look at me, his attention was fixed on Aiden, but his expression hardened. "You disgust me."

Aiden laughed bitterly. "Of course you'd say that. The perfect Ethan, always the hero." He turned to me, his eyes narrowing. "Do you even realize how many chances I had to take you? How many times I could've gotten away with it if it weren't for him?"

The memories flooded back—the night I thought I heard footsteps behind me, the unease of being watched at the café, the fleeting glimpses of someone lingering too long in the shadows.

I felt sick.

Ethan's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "You're done, Aiden. Whatever game you think you're playing—it's over."

But Aiden's smirk didn't falter. "Over?"

Aiden's voice dripped with bitter amusement. "You really think I'm the villain, huh? I didn't want to be this way. Dad left me in the dark while you were his golden child. He could've helped me, but he didn't. And now, I'm doing what I have to."

His eyes narrowed. "Everything I did was for revenge—for the love they never gave me. You always had it easy, but I had to fight for everything. And Nina, she's just another thing to take from them. I'll make her mine, just like everything else."

He leaned in, his voice darkening. "You think you get it? I was smarter than him. I waited for the perfect moment. But then I wanted more. I wanted everything, and I'll burn it all down to get it."