The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137

ARIA

I gratefully accepted the subject change. Discussing Blake around the children was risky territory.

“That’s a great idea,” I agreed. “The kids have spent most of their lives in Europe, and since getting here, we’ve been too busy settling in

to show them around properly.”

“The Nouvelle Retail Group development is still in progress, so I don’t have to be fully hands-on yet, I reasoned. “We should take

advantage before work gets crazy.”

Olivia nodded enthusiastically. “They may have been born overseas, but they’re American kids. They should know their hometown.”

“Plus, I added, lowering my voice, maybe it’ll help my little wanderer understand why running off alone is so dangerous in a big city.”

“Two birds, one stone,” Olivia agreed. “Education disguised as fun-the best kind of parenting.”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” My daughter stood up in her booster seat, nearly toppling over in excitement. “I wanna go play!”

I quickly steadied her. “Sit down, sweetie. Careful.”

“Can we get chocolate cake too?” she asked, eyes wide and hopeful. “Last time with Ivy, I didn’t get any.”

“That’s because you ran off while Ivy was buying your ticket, Ethan reminded her sternly. “Actions have consequences.”

Her lower lip trembled at the memory, and I shot Ethan a warning look.

“You little glutton, I laughed, tapping her nose. “I think all my food cravings when I was pregnant were because of you.”

Aurora shook her head vigorously. “No! It was William!”

William, seeing an opportunity, jumped in. “Then all the cream cakes are mine today. Since I caused the cravings.”

“No!” Her eyes widened in horror. “I’m the little glutton! I caused the cravings!”

We all burst into laughter at her quick reversal. Even Ethan cracked a smile, though I knew he was mentally counting Aurora’s three cavities and planning a lecture on dental hygiene.

“We’ll play first, then get chocolate cake afterward,” I promised, already picturing Aurora’s face lit up with joy. It had been three years since everything fell apart. The chances of running into Blake at a cake shop were practically zero.

Unless fate had a cruel sense of humor-which, in my experience, it absolutely did. Every time I thought I’d finally built a Blake-free

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bubble around our lives, something always happened to burst it. But not today. Today was about the kids, about making memories in their

new home city. Today, Blake didn’t exist.

The entrance to Fantasy Land stood before us, a colorful archway promising escape from reality. I watched Aurora bounce with

excitement, her little hands clutching both mine and Olivia’s.

“Come on, Mommy! Hurry up! I wanna see everything!” Aurora tugged at my arm, practically vibrating with three-year-old enthusiasm.

‘I’m coming, sweetie. The princesses aren’t going anywhere,” I said, exchanging an amused glance with Olivia.

Fantasy Land was packed with families enjoying the perfect spring weather. Harried parents chased sugar-high toddlers while teenagers slouched behind them, pretending not to enjoy themselves. The park was famous for its safety-focused attractions for toddlers and the American fairy tale performances that happened hourly. We’d specifically chosen it because the kids could enjoy age-appropriate activities while still feeling like they were having “big kid” adventures.

We headed straight to the performance hall where a modern dance and ballet fusion show was about to begin. I secured spots in the second row, settling Aurora on my lap while William and Ethan sat beside us, whispering to each other about some elaborate game they

were inventing.

“It’s gonna have dragons and robots,” William whispered loudly.

“Yeah, and super ninja powers too,” Ethan added with complete seriousness.

The lights dimmed and dancers floated onto the stage. What happened next shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. Aurora’s entire body tensed with focus, her eyes tracking every movement. When a ballerina executed a perfect arabesque, Aurora’s tiny arms mimicked the position exactly.

“She’s got your talent,” Olivia whispered, nodding toward Aurora.

I swallowed hard. “Maybe. Let’s hope that’s all she inherited from me.”

William and Ethan had pulled out small notepads, furiously scribbling what looked like diagrams.

“What are you boys working on?” I asked during a brief intermission.

William looked up, his eyes bright with inspiration. “Game ideas, Mom. See how the dancers move? We’re designing character animations for our new game.”

“The big boss and second boss of our awesome company are planning, Ethan added seriously. ‘We’re gonna make millions.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. They were three years old with business plans more detailed than some adults I knew.

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After the show, we found a small table in the dessert area. The kids immediately pulled out their coloring supplies. Aurora began drawing

what looked vaguely like dance steps, while the boys huddled over their game designs.

I’ll grab those famous chocolate cakes, Olivia said, nodding toward the long line. “You coming?”

“Sure.” I turned to the kids. “Stay right here where we can see you, okay? Don’t talk to strangers.”

“We know, Mom, William said without looking up. “Stranger danger and all that stuff.”

“We’ll watch her,’ Ethan promised solemnly.

“I don’t need watching! I’m a big girl!” Aurora protested, her crayon scribbling furiously.

The line moved at glacial speed. A toddler ahead of us had a meltdown over wanting sprinkles, and his frazzled mom was trying to negotiate with him as if he were a hostage-taker. Olivia sighed dramatically.

“Is it just me, or are our children way too career-focused? We brought them to a freaking theme park, and I swear we’re the ones having

more fun.”

I laughed. “You definitely had more fun on that teacup ride than Aurora did. I thought you were going to puke.”

“Worth it,” Olivia grinned. “Hey, speaking of business-I had a thought about Nouvelle Retail Group. Have you considered adding simple arcade games throughout the shopping center? Might keep partners entertained while their significant others shop.”

“That’s actually brilliant.” I pulled out my phone. “Let me make a quick note to call the project manager about it.”

Before I could dial, my phone rang. Project Manager’s name flashed on the screen.

“Speak of the devil,” I muttered, answering.

‘Ms. Taylor, we have a situation.” Daniel’s voice was tight through the phone. “Someone showed up claiming to be the original property owner, making a scene about worker safety violations. They’re demanding to speak with management immediately.”

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