Aiden’s POV

When I returned, the faint scent of red wine lingered in the air. My mother, Veronica, was curled up on the couch watching the TV. Her skin was slightly less pale than before, indicating that she had been recovering steadily.

“I heard something… odd today,” she said, lifting her gaze to meet mine.

I loosened my tie and dropped into the armchair across from her. “What is it?”

Her eyes narrowed, studying me like she was trying to gauge whether I already knew. “Someone ...