Chapter 67

Aiden's POV Chicago was exactly as I remembered - relentless, impersonal, and constantly moving. Three days into this business trip, and I'd already closed two major deals that would expand Carter Group's footprint across the Midwest. Lucas had organized my schedule with military precision: meetings stacked back-to-back, working lunches, evening networking events that stretched well past midnight. I should have been satisfied. Instead, I found myself staring out my hotel window at 2 AM, my thoughts drifting home. To her. "Mr. Carter, the Henderson contract needs your signature," Lucas said, placing another folder on the already towering stack on my desk. I nodded absently, clicking my pen with more force than necessary. "What's next on the schedule?" "Dinner with the Martins at seven, followed by drinks with the Chicago board members." Another endless evening of small talk and strategic negotiations. Normally, I thrived in these environments. Now, they felt hollow. "Cancel it," I said