Chapter 36

NOAH I was driving Aiden to his school for his field trip. I was supposed to meet up with my friends, but I had to cancel it to accompany my nephew on his school outing. His parents were busy, and my mom couldn’t make it because she sprained her ankle. So, I was the only one available. I really had no choice but to follow my mom’s orders. Aiden was sitting in the passenger seat, playing a voice message from his phone. “We’re here already. We can’t find you. Where are you now?” The woman’s voice in the message was deliberately soft, the kind of tone used to coax children. I had heard that type of voice far too many times—deliberate, syrupy, and overly affected… and I didn’t like it. But Olivia’s voice was different. Soft and husky, it wasn’t irritating at all. I raised an eyebrow as I listened to Aiden recording his response for Olivia. “My uncle and I are almost there. Aunt Olivia, can you save us a seat? I want to sit behind you.” Olivia responded with another voice message. “Is your