The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

ARIA

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The hospital room door burst open as Richard and Elaine rushed in, their faces etched with worry that melted into pure relief the moment they saw me sitting up in bed. Despite the medical bandages covering half my face, I could read every emotion crossing their features. Matthew appeared behind them, his arm protectively guiding a very pregnant Olivia through the doorway.

The second Olivia’s eyes met mine, her composure shattered completely. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she froze in the entrance, one

hand pressed to her mouth.

“Hey, Liv,” I said with the best smile I could manage. “It’s just a few scratches. Don’t tell me you can’t recognize your best friend

anymore.

She practically flew to my bedside, wrapping me in the tightest embrace possible without disturbing my IV line. Her entire body trembled as she sobbed against my shoulder.

“How are you even alive?” she choked out between tears. “They told us you were dead. Uncle Richard and Aunt Elaine searched everywhere and only found a piece of your dress!”

I rubbed her back gently, overwhelmed by the warmth of human contact after days of thinking I’d never feel it again. Having Olivia here, solid and real and crying over me, felt like a miracle I didn’t deserve.

Richard stepped closer, his voice thick with emotion as he began to explain.

“The reports of Aria’s death were premature,” he said carefully. “When she went over that cliff, I mobilized every search and rescue team in the state. We feared the worst-that the ocean had claimed her.”

His voice cracked as he continued, and I closed my eyes, remembering those terrifying moments of free fall. The sensation of plummeting toward certain death, the scream ripped from my throat, the absolute certainty that my life was over.

“We found her caught in the branches of an ancient pine tree growing from the cliff face, Richard explained. “The tree somehow broke her fall and held her suspended above the rocks. It was almost as if…” He paused, glancing at me meaningfully. “As if Aaron was still protecting her.”

The mention of my father sent a sharp pain through my chest. Dad had died, but somehow, I felt his presence in that moment on the cliff. His voice in my head telling me to hold on just a little longer.

“Christine wasn’t so fortunate,” Elaine added quietly. “She either hit the rocks below or was swept out to sea. The search teams are still looking, but…

No one needed to finish that sentence. Christine-the woman who had stolen my identity at birth, murdered my father when he discovered her crimes, was gone. I searched my heart for even a flicker of grief and found nothing but cold satisfaction.

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14:03 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 114

“We brought Aria directly to Matthew’s private medical facility, Richard continued. “The entire staff signed confidentiality agreements.

Especially regarding Blake.”

“We planned to inform you once Aria was stable, Elaine explained, taking Olivia’s hand. “We couldn’t risk any information reaching

Blake’s ears.

Olivia nodded fiercely. ‘Good call. Blake doesn’t deserve to know she’s alive anyway.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Haven’t you heard the latest gossip?” Olivia’s voice dripped with disdain. “Your loving husband might be permanently disabled. His left hand is completely mangled.” She paused, clearly savoring the next part. “And social media is absolutely buzzing with photos of him and Emma on romantic dates all over the city.”

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The familiar cocktail of love and hatred burned through my veins-that toxic combination only Blake could inspire. I had loved him so desperately, had sacrificed everything trying to earn even a crumb of his affection. Our contract marriage had been my pathetic attempt to stay in his orbit, to make him see me as more than a business arrangement. Instead, he’d spent three years making me feel invisible while

Emma remained his eternal obsession.

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Mon, Jun 15

The CEO’s Regret: His Lost Wife’s Secret Twins