When James got back to Ashford, it was already three in the afternoon.


    As soon as he stepped off the ne, his phone buzzed with a call from Wyatt. Just as he was about to chat with Mirabe, Nick stepped in between them. "If you''ve got stuff to handle, go ahead. We''ve got a rideing."


    James had caught the tail end of his own phone call. He pocketed his phone, gave Nick a brief smile, and nodded. "Alright then."


    It wasn''t until James left that the chill in Nick''s eyes began to thaw.


    Mirabe, noticing his demeanor, raised an eyebrow. "Nick, you seem to have a problem with James?"


    Nick straightened up, his handsome face showing little emotion. "Not exactly a problem, just think the guy''s a bit too crafty for my liking."


    After a pause, he added more seriously, "Mirabe, you might want to keep an eye on him."


    Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She mumbled an acknowledgment to Nick, fished out her phone, and after a quick conversation, hung up. "Let''s go, Zach''s waiting for us in the parking lot."


    With that, she led the way, towing her suitcase behind her. Nick followed without another word.


    Soon, they found Zach in the parking lot. He looked more worn out than a few days ago, dark circles under his eyes evidence of sleepless nights.


    As Mirabe loaded her luggage into the trunk, she nced at Zach with concern. "Zach, you''ve been burning the candle at both ends?"


    Zach adjusted his sses, opened the passenger door for her, and replied, "Yeah, too much to wrap up before the year''s end."


    Mirabe nodded as she climbed into the car. "Remember to get some rest."


    "Nick, you''re in the back," Zach called out nonchntly before circling to the driver''s side.


    Nick paused for a moment at the curb before opening the rear door and getting in.


    During the drive, Zach kept up a conversation with Mirabe, asking about Catherine and barely leaving room for Nick to chime in from the backseat. He felt like a ghost.


    By the time they arrived home, it was four o''clock. Zach, having carried in some local delicacies Catherine had requested, quickly dropped them off before heading back to the office.


    Mirabe, preupied with thoughts about Nick, followed him out to the garage.


    "Zach, we ran into Summer on our way back," she said.


    Zach''s brows knitted together. "Nick saw Summer?"


    "Yes." Mirabe''s eyes flickered as she probed further. "So, does Nick''s condition have something to do with Summer?"


    Zach nced at her, aware of her keen intuition. After a brief silence, he nodded, not bothering to hide the truth. "If it wasn''t for her, Nick might not have gone through so much suffering."


    "What exactly happened?" Mirabe pressed.


    Leaning against the car, Zach let out a sigh. "I''m not entirely sure of the details. I just know that after Nick was rescued, he spent two years battling severe autism, shutting everyone out."


    He paused, the weight of those memories casting a shadow over his features. After a moment, he continued, "But seeing the way he looked at Summer, filled with such intense hatred, made me realize the kidnapping was moreplicated than we thought..."