The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

ARIA

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Unlike three years ago, today the sky was clear, and I wasn’t alone. William held my right hand while Aurora skipped beside me, occasionally stopping to examine rocks or flowers. Olivia walked behind us with Ethan, giving me space.

My heart felt heavy but different than before. The pain was still there-a dull ache in my chest-but my eyes no longer held that

emptiness they once did.

“Almost there,” I said, guiding the children around a bend in the path.

When we reached Dad’s grave, I noticed something unexpected. Next to his headstone stood another marker-partially damaged, with

cracks running through it.

“What’s that?” William asked, pointing.

Olivia stepped forward. “It’s… well, it was supposed to be your mom’s grave,” she explained quietly. “Elizabeth had it made after your mom’s accident. Everyone thought she was…”

“Dead,” I finished for her.

Olivia nodded. “Blake went crazy when they put it up. He smashed it pretty bad before Elizabeth got him to stop. He wouldn’t let anyone

put your name on it or leave flowers.”

I turned my attention to what really mattered and knelt before my father’s grave, arranging the flowers I’d brought.

‘I’m sorry, Dad,” I whispered. “I couldn’t come see you these past three years.” Tears slipped down my cheeks. “But I’m here now, and I brought some special people for you to meet.”

William stepped forward, his face serious. “Mom, is this the grandfather you told us about?”

“Yeah, this is him.”

He turned to Aurora. “Remember, Rory? Mom told us we have two grandpas-the one who saved us, and the one who’s been with us.”

William showed Aurora how to bow respectfully, both of them bending forward three times.

Aurora put her tiny hands together and said, “Hi, Grandpa! I’m Rory, and this is my brother Willie! We came to see you!”

She continued earnestly, “I’m super strong now! I promise I’ll protect Mommy for you. I’ll chase away all the bad guys who wanna hurt

her!”

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Chapter 142

William quickly added, ‘Rory, you gotta protect yourself first before you can protect Mom.”

“I will!” Aurora nodded vigorously. “And then we’ll protect Mommy together!”

I pulled them both close and kissed their foreheads. “Thank you, my brave little ones.”

Olivia’s eyes glistened. “We’ll be over at my dad’s grave if you need us,” she said, taking Ethan’s hand.

As they walked away, I noticed a large tree covered in small wooden plaques swaying in the breeze.

“What’s that?” Aurora pointed.

“Let’s check it out,” I suggested.

A sign explained it was a Memorial Wishing Tree where visitors could write prayers or wishes for loved ones.

“Can we do that?” William asked, eyes fixed on the tree.

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“Sure,” I said, and bought two wooden plaques. I sat at a small table and wrote on the first one: “For Richard and Elaine-may your

marriage be filled with harmony and health.”

On the second: “For William and Aurora-may you grow strong and healthy, with bright futures ahead.”

As I finished, a cemetery worker approached. He’d been eyeing my mask and sunglasses.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said. “Couldn’t help noticing you didn’t write anything for yourself or the kids’ father.”

Before I could respond, William spoke up, his voice cold. “He’s already got enough happiness. If anybody’s gonna make wishes for him, it’ll

be some other woman.”

The worker looked embarrassed and walked away. I turned to William, shocked.

“William, when did you… find out about your father and me?”

“I saw him at the airport,” he said simply. “That’s why I changed our way that day.”

I remembered how William had suddenly insisted we take a different path through the terminal.

“I looked him up online,” he continued. “He’s not a good person. And definitely not a good husband.”

I just don’t want the past to affect you guys,” I said carefully.

William nodded. “Yeah, I get it. Rory doesn’t need to know about all that grown-up stuff.”

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I watched as the worker hung our wish plaques on the tree branches. They twirled gently in the breeze.

“Let’s go find Olivia and Ethan,” I suggested. “We should visit Mr. Redwood too.”

As we walked away, I felt like someone was watching us. I glanced around but saw only other mourners. Shaking off the feeling. I continued walking, unaware of the eyes that had just recognized me.

EMMA

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. This can’t be happening.

I’d only come to the cemetery today to keep up appearances-visiting “Aria’s grave occasionally helped convince Blake that I actually

cared she was gone. Now I was staring at a ghost.

Despite the sunglasses and mask covering most of her face, I’d know that woman anywhere. The graceful way she moved, how she tilted

her head when listening to those kids. After spending three years studying and copying every detail about Aria Taylor to keep Blake’s

interest, I probably knew her mannerisms better than she did.

“Holy crap,” I whispered, ducking behind a large memorial statue. My heart hammered against my ribs. “She’s supposed to be dead.”

I peeked around the statue again. The woman was definitely Aria. And those kids-a boy and a girl who looked about three years old.

Twins. Blake’s twins.

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My stomach twisted into knots. Blake had never stopped obsessing over Aria, even after her “death.” He kept her photo in his wallet. Sometimes he’d call me by her name when he was drunk or half-asleep. For three years, I’d been competing with a dead woman-and now

she wasn’t even dead.

“If Blake finds out she’s alive…” I couldn’t even finish the thought. He’d throw me away without a second’s hesitation. Everything I’d

worked for would be gone.

I watched the children closely. The boy looked serious, protective-just like Blake. The little girl had Aria’s smile. Blake’s children. The

family he should have had with me.

My fingers dug into the stone of the monument. It wasn’t fair. I’d done everything right. I’d been there for Blake when he was drowning in grief. I’d learned to dress like her, move like her, even picked up some of her mannerisms to make the transition easier for him. I’d put up with his coldness, his distant stares, his occasional cruelty.

And now this? Now she just walks back into the world with his perfect little family?

“I’ve already lost my family’s support, I thought, feeling panic rise in my chest. My parents had disowned me. ‘I can’t lose Blake too. He’s

all I’ve got left.

I watched as Aria and the children disappeared down a path toward another section of the cemetery. My mind raced through dark

possibilities.

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One thing was certain: Blake could never know.

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“People can die’ once, I thought, my jaw tightening as determination replaced my initial shock. “They can definitely die a second time.”

I stepped out from behind the statue, pulling my sunglasses lower to better hide my face. Whatever it took, I would protect what was mine. Blake belonged with me now, and nothing-especially not some back-from-the-dead ex with a couple of kids-was going to change

that.

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