Chapter 17

Killian’s POV

Just as I stepped out of my office, my phone started ringing. I almost ignored it. But then I saw the caller ID.

It was Mother.

“Mom?” I answered quickly.

“Killian… it’s your stepdad… he… he had a heart attack.”

I froze.

“What??!”

“He collapsed this morning. It was so sudden. The ambulance just left… Killian, I’m scared. Please come quick. Please…”

My heart started to pound.

“I’m on my way,” I said without thinking, already heading to the elevator.

But she kept talking, her voice trembling harder now. “Before he passed out… he… he mentioned Liana’s name. He said her name, Killian. Over and over again. I think… I think he wants to see her before—”

My grip on the phone tightened. My throat burned.

“Mom… I—I’ll come now. I’ll be there.”

She was crying harder now. “He wants to see her. Please, Killian, if you know where she is… bring her before anything worse happens.”

I closed my ey