Chapter 16%
The rest of the day, Valentina kept dragging the father and son from one attraction to the next. She’d done her homework–each stop was something she thought would be fun. But no matter what it was, Nick and Jayden barely paid attention. Their hearts just weren’t in ILX
Sensing something was off, Valentina tried to liven things up by suggesting they hit the roller coaster.
Nick didn’t even hesitate. “Jayden’s health isn’t great. He can’t handle something that intense. Pick something else.” Valentina waved off his concern like it was nothing. “I know Jayden has some health issues, but come on, he’s not a little kid anymore. A bit of excitement won’t kill him. When Aria was around, she never let him do anything. She kept him on such a tight leash he never even got to have a real childhood. But now that I’m here, I’m going to make up for all of that I want him to grow up strong and free.”
She smiled confidently and reached out to ruffle Jayden’s hair. She smiled brightly and reached over to ruffle Jayden’s hair. “Right, sweetie? Aria’s not here anymore. You don’t have to follow her rules. If she knew you were still afraid to do anything just because of her. she’d probably be gloating. Don’t give her that satisfaction.”
At first, Jayden had agreed with Nick. He knew his own body–his heart wasn’t strong and he’d never been able to handle too much excitement. That’s why Aria had always been so strict with him, even if it meant saying no to things other kids got to do.
But when he heard Valentina’s last few words, something in him snapped. That rebellious teenage instinct flared up and his voice was sharp as he shot back, “Aria? She was just a shallow woman pretending to be my mom. You think I was afraid of her? The only reason I ever let her boss me around was because she was technically my stepmom. But she’s out of the picture now. I don’t have to listen to her anymore.”
He stormed toward the roller coaster entrance like he had something to provel
Nick quickly grabbed his arm. “You can’t handle that kind of ride, Jay. Let’s find another one”
Jayden yanked his arm free. “Dad, are you seriously buying into everything Aria told you? Yeah, I’ve got some health issues, but they’re not as bad as she made them sound. She exaggerated all of it just to keep me under control.
Nick hesitated. He’d been so focused on work over the years, he hadn’t paid close attention to Jayden’s condition. Everything he knew about his son’s health came from Ana–and now, suddenly, he wasn’t so sure what was true anymore.!
Jayden looked determined. And stubbom. In the end, Nick caved, agreeing to ride with him just in case something went wrong.
But just as they were approaching the ticket scanner, Nick caught something in the corner of his eye–a flash of a familiar figure moving through the crowd.
He froze. His heart jumped.
“Aria?” he called out instinctively, eyes locked on the retreating figure. “Aria!”
Then he took off running toward the crowd, leaving Jayden and Valentina behind.8
Jayden tried to follow, but he and Valentina had already entered through the turnstile and couldn’t get back out Frustrated and confused, they gave up and boarded the roller coaster!
Meanwhile, Nick ran through the crowd, weaving between people, chasing that glimpse of a familiar silhouette. He reached the par entrance just as the woman was about to step outside. He caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder, breathless.
“Aria! Where are you going?“R
The woman jumped, startled and turned around–only to reveal a complete stranger. A young woman, clearly not Aria, blinked up Her face Blushed as she took in his handsome features.
“Um.. can I help you?” she asked, flustered.
Nick’s expression froze. He let out an awkward breath and gave a stiff smile. “Sorry… I thought you were someone else.”
He turned around, annoyed at himself. Get a grip, he told himself. 8
at him.
Of course he was seeing her everywhere–she’d vanished from his life overnight. No warning. No closure. It was like his brain refused to accept she was gone.”
Just then, his phone rang. It was Valentina.
Her voice was frantic “Nick–something happened it’s Jayden. He collapsed. You need to get over here. Now!”
Nick’s blood ran cold. He bolted through the park, his heart pounding in his chest. When he got to the ride, he saw Valentina sitting on the ground, cradling Jayden in her arms. The boy was unconscious, completely unresponsive.
