The Temporary Wife: Chapter 20

I’m restless as I coordinate with our team of personal assistants. I’ve put them in charge of arranging interviews for my replacement, and it feels bittersweet.

Luca has treated me so well for so many years, and despite his current attitude, I do owe him everything. If not for him, I wouldn’t have my degree, or the work experience that turned me into a well-respected, well-known finance professional. Luca Windsor shaped me, and I’ll always be grateful for all he’s given me.

It isn’t the Luca I used to know that I have an issue with. It’s the one he became the moment he got engaged. I’ve stood by his side throughout countless changes in his life, and nothing has shaken him the way this did.

I’m snapped out of my thoughts when my phone rings, and I frown. My mother rarely calls me while I’m at work. Worry instantly has me sitting up in my seat, my heart racing.

“Mom, hi.”

“Val,” she says, her voice trembling. “Abuela… she left home a couple of hours ago, and she hasn’t come back. I’m worried.”

I rise to my feet, my heart hammering in my chest. “What? How long has she been missing? Doesn’t she have her phone on her?”

“No. She left it on her nightstand. I took my wheelchair and searched around the block, but I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Did you check the convenience store? Maybe she’s chatting with Auntie Lee?” Grandma and the convenience store owner have become friends over the years, and sometimes she’ll go over there to chat.

“They haven’t seen her. Usually she would’ve dropped by to say hi to them on her daily walks, but not today.”

“What about the park?”

“I’ve looked, Val. I can’t find her anywhere. I checked the park, I’ve asked all the neighbors, I’ve gone into every store near us. I can’t find her anywhere. Do you… do you think I should file a report?”

“Yes!” I yell, my eyes filling with tears. “Mom, of course. We need to find her as soon as we can. We have no idea what could’ve happened. What if she fell somewhere, and she can’t reach us? What if she needs our help?”

Tears start to run down my face, and I inhale shakily.

“Val,” Mom says. “There’s something I need to tell you. We’ve been keeping this from you because you already have so much on your plate, and Abuela insisted that I shouldn’t worry you.”

I start to tremble and tighten my grip on my phone. “What is it?”

Mom inhales shakily. “Abuela was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Lately, she’s been forgetting things more and more often. She keeps getting confused, and sometimes she can’t remember who I am, other times she thinks we’re years in the past and your abuelo is still with us. What if it’s one of those episodes, and she’s trying to find your abuelo? That’s happened before, and I have no idea how far she could go. What if she’s trying to get back to our old house?”

“I’m coming home right now,” I tell her as I grab my bag and rush out the door, barely able to see through my tears. “We’ll find her. It’s going to be okay.”

Mom has already checked every single place I can think of. Where could Abuela possibly be?

Worry makes me sick to my stomach, and it takes all of me to stay calm. I need to think clearly. I’ll find her, if it’s the last thing I do.