The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

ARIA

Once I got away from Blake, I gave Matthew a grateful nod. “Thanks for the save back there. If Blake had caught me with Aurora and

William…”

2)

Just thinking about it made me sick. This was my first time facing Blake in three years. He’d changed-colder, harder, impossible to read.

There was something dangerous about him now. I couldn’t let him find out about the twins.

Matthew looked at me carefully. “You sure you’re happy I showed up? Didn’t I just ruin your little reunion with your ex?”

I was surprised he remembered that detail. “Whatever Blake and I had is over.”

“So there’s nothing left?” Matthew asked directly.

“Nothing,” I said firmly. My old crush on Blake had turned into something much more complicated. Seeing him again stirred something in me, but it wasn’t love. It was fear, anger, and memories I wanted to forget.

Matthew relaxed. “Good. I’d hate to think my rescue was pointless.”

“You nearly gave me a heart attack with that engagement thing,” I said.

“What’s wrong with being engaged to me?” he shot back. “The Redwood family not good enough for you?”

I shook my head quickly. “That’s not it. I just don’t want to ruin your chances of finding someone who’s actually right for you.”

Matthew choked on his water, his face going dark. “Are you saying I can’t get a real girlfriend? That’s harsh.”

“No! I’m thinking about your happiness,” I explained. “You’re successful, good-looking, and charming. You could have any woman. You

deserve real happiness.”

Matthew stared at me, frustration written all over his face. “This is what I get for not owning up to my feelings, he muttered, barely audible. Then his voice hardened. ‘Remember what you just said. You’re over Blake. And keep it that way-no private contact with him.

None.

I flinched at his tone, completely lost about why he was suddenly so pissed. “I won’t, I promised.

Matthew gave me one last intense look before turning and walking away.

That evening, as I was about to fix some cold medicine, my work email pinged. I opened it to find a message from Blake’s personal

address.

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Chapter 161

‘Goodnight, darling. Looking forward to our next meeting.”

:))

I glared at the screen. Well, that didn’t take long. He’d deliberately sent it to my work email, knowing I’d check it. I slammed the laptop

shut without replying and headed to the kitchen for my medicine.

The next day, the Grants cut their trip short and returned home.

“William, come to Grandpa!” Richard took my son from Elaine’s arms, his whole demeanor transformed from the serious businessman 1

knew. He nuzzled William’s cheek until my son’s face turned pink with giggles.

I smiled quietly, long used to the Grant couple’s Jekyll and Hyde routine around their grandchildren. The stern, elegant power couple

became complete pushovers the second the kids appeared.

The commotion brought Ethan and Aurora running from their rooms. Aurora was fastest, barreling toward her grandparents like a tiny

tornado.

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“I thought I was dreaming! Grandpa! Grandma! You’re really-really back!” she squealed, bouncing up and down.

Richard and Elaine gathered all three children in their arms, showing particular softness for Aurora. William and Ethan didn’t mind-they understood that as the only girl, their sister naturally got extra attention.

“Mom and Dad,” I said gently, “the kids are getting bigger and heavier. With your back issues, you should probably put them down.”

They reluctantly complied, setting the children on the floor with care.

“We brought presents,” Richard announced, producing several packages.

For Ethan, they’d brought a custom-tailored suit, perfect for his old-soul personality. He often helped negotiate deals for his gaming company, despite being just a kid.

William received cutting-edge computer equipment, ideal for his coding obsession.

Aurora gasped when she unwrapped her gift-ballet shoes covered with pearls and sapphires to celebrate her dance competition win and becoming Professor Nina’s special student.

“Mom and Dad!’ I exclaimed, staring at the bejeweled shoes. “Who sticks auction-quality gems on kids’ dance shoes?”

I worried the stones would pop off during practice. I’d already arranged for Aurora to study under Nina, my former mentor.

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