The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

ARIA

Jonathan stood beside me. His expression shifted from concern to alarm.

“Aria, you need to sit down. You’re pale.”

“I’m fine.” I tried to stand but my legs wouldn’t cooperate.

He caught my elbow and guided me back into the chair. His hand was steady. Professional. Nothing more

than a doctor helping a patient.

“Stay here. I’ll get you some water.”

He disappeared down the hallway. The TV still blared behind me. Emma’s voice floated through the air,

talking about love and dreams and Blake’s unwavering support.

I wanted to rip that television off the wall.

Jonathan returned with a bottle of water. He twisted the cap off and handed it to me.

“Drink. Slowly.”

I obeyed. The cold liquid helped. My throat stopped burning. My vision cleared a bit.

“When did you last eat?” He pulled up a chair beside me.

“This morning.”

That was a lie. I couldn’t remember my last real meal. Everything tasted wrong lately. The nausea made it

hard to keep anything down.

“You need to take better care of yourself.” Jonathan’s tone was gentle but firm. “Especially with that hand

injury.”

“I know.”

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Chapter 16

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He studied me for a moment. I could see the wheels turning in his head. Doctor mode activated.

“Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I needed to talk to you anyway.”

Something in his voice made me look up. His eyes held excitement. Hope.

“It’s about your father.”

My heart stopped.

“What? Is something wrong?”

“No. The opposite.” He leaned forward. “Aria, his brain activity has increased significantly. The scans from

yesterday show patterns we haven’t seen in almost ten years.”

The water bottle slipped from my hand. It clattered to the floor.

“What does that mean?”

“It means he might wake up. Soon.”

Ten years. Ten years of watching my father lie in that bed. Ten years of holding his hand and talking to him about nothing. Ten years of hope dying a little more each day.

“Are you certain?”

“I can’t make promises. But the signs are all pointing in that direction.” He picked up the water bottle and

set it on the table. “I wanted you to be the first to know.”

Tears came without permission. Hot and fast. I pressed my hands to my face.

Dad. You’re finally coming back. You have to wake up. You have to tell everyone what really happened. You

have to prove Mom was innocent.

“Hey.” Jonathan’s hand touched my shoulder. “It’s okay. This is good news.”

“I know. I just…” I couldn’t finish the sentence.

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He pulled a tissue from the box on the nearby table and handed it to me. I took it and wiped my eyes. My

hands shook.

“Thank you. For everything you’ve done for him. For us.”

“He’s a fighter. Just runs in the family.”

I managed a small laugh through the tears. It came out shaky. Broken.

“Touching scene.”

The voice cut through the moment. Sharp. Cold. Familiar.

I froze.

Blake stood in the doorway. He wore a dark suit. His face was expressionless. But his eyes burned with

something dangerous.

Jonathan pulled his hand back and stood up quickly.

“Mr. Morgan.”

“Dr. Mayer.” Blake walked into the waiting area. His gaze moved from Jonathan to me. “I didn’t realize you

made house calls in the waiting room.”

“I was just updating Aria on her father’s condition.”

“Of course you were.” Blake’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “How dedicated.”,

I stood up too fast. The room spun again but I steadied myself.

“Blake. What are you doing here?”

“Board meeting. Hospital administration.” He didn’t take his eyes off Jonathan. “Didn’t expect to find my

wife crying in another man’s arms.”

“It wasn’t- Jonathan started.

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“Save it.” Blake cut him off. “I’ve seen enough.”

He turned to leave. Something inside me snapped.

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