The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177

ARIA

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The drive to the Hamptons was quiet. I kept glancing at Blake in the passenger seat, his jaw clenched in pain despite his attempts to hide

1. When we finally arrived at the estate, I realized I’d have to help him to the master bedroom. The regular housekeeper was elderly with

a bad back, and there was no way I’d make her handle Blake’s weight.

“I can make it myself,” Blake insisted as we entered the grand foyer.

*You can barely walk. Just suck it up and accept the help,” I replied flatly.

He gave in without further argument, which told me just how much pain he must be in. I wrapped my arm around his waist while he leaned on me, and we made our slow ascent up the curved staircase.

When I pushed open the door to the master bedroom, a strange feeling washed over me. Everything was exactly as it had been three years ago-when I left. The same arrangement of furniture, the same color scheme, even the perfume bottles on the dresser remained untouched. It was like walking into a time capsule.

I helped him take off his shoes, trying to ignore how weird this felt. The room was filled with memories I’d tried so hard to forget.

“Your gift is still here,” he said suddenly. “I’ve kept it all this time.”

“What gift?”

“The one I wanted to give you three years ago. I’ve been waiting to give it to you again.”

I straightened up, reality crashing back. What was I doing? Playing nurse to the man who had destroyed me?

“Mr. Morgan, can you cut the crap?” I pushed him firmly onto the bed. “I’m not buying this act.”

His eyes darkened. “You think I’m acting?”

“I’m out of here.” I turned toward the door.

“Aria, wait!” His voice cracked, raw with emotion. “I’m not pretending. My pain is real. My injuries are real. And the guilt I feel toward you is driving me insane!”

I turned back slowly. “Is that right?”

“The woman I see before me now doesn’t believe a word I say. You’re just looking for any excuse to bail on me.”

I folded my arms. “Mr. Morgan, don’t forget that Matthew is my boyfriend now.”

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Chapter 177

Matthew.” He repeated the name, his expression turning cold and mocking. “Once upon a time, Matthew envied me for having you. Now the tables have turned. I’m the one envying him.”

The hatred in his eyes when he spoke Matthew’s name sent chills down my spine.

“Mr. Morgan, save your pity party. You have more money than God, a picture-perfect family-

‘Picture-perfect?’ He grabbed my wrist with surprising strength. “Everything I have is a damn facade.”

I tried to pull away, but he held firm.

“You want to know the truth? Thirteen years ago, during the Manhattan fire, my father wished I had died.”

His words froze me in place.

‘I could’ve gotten out,” Blake continued, his voice hollow. “But I went back for him. And what did I find? My father sneaking out through a

safety exit with his mistress.”

I stopped struggling and stared at him.

“A beam collapsed on me. He saw me trapped there, Aria. And he left. He protected his mistress and left me to burn.”

The raw pain in his voice couldn’t be faked.

‘I woke up in the hospital to see my exhausted mother and my disappointed father. He had hoped the fire would take care of his problem -me. The witness who could expose his affair.”

I sank down beside him on the bed, stunned.

*For thirteen years, I’ve kept up this charade of a happy family to protect my mother. Elizabeth would fall apart if she knew the truth.”

My head started throbbing dully. Could this really be true?

‘Are you sure about the mistress?’ I asked. “That there was actually someone with him?”

“You’ve met her, Aria. She’s been at the Morgan estate for three years.”

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