The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

“It’s too late now,” I said, pushing those thoughts away. “I’m marrying Matthew.”

Blake nodded. “I understand. You built a life without me. Matthew’s a good guy. Better than me in a lot of ways.”

His acceptance was unsettling. I expected more fighting.

“So you’re giving up?”

“Not giving up,” Blake clarified. “Letting go. Big difference.*

He moved closer. “Punish me however you want. I deserve it. But please… don’t cut me out of my children’s lives completely.”

“What exactly are you asking for?”

“Let me be part of their world,” he pleaded. “Not as their dad-I haven’t earned that. But as someone they can get to know.”

I stared at him, trying to process this new version of Blake Morgan-a man willing to set aside his ego for a chance to be near his

children.

“And the wedding?” I asked.

“Can I come to it?”

My jaw dropped. “You want to sit through my wedding to another man?”

Blake nodded, determined despite his pain. “If that’s what it takes to show I’ve changed. If that’s what it takes to be near my kids.”

I searched his face for manipulation but found none. Just honest pain.

“Why torture yourself?’

“Because they’re worth it. Aurora and William are worth any hell I have to walk through.”

Tears filled my eyes. This was the Blake I had always wanted-someone who put others first, who owned his mistakes.

“Think about it,” Blake said when I stayed silent. He brushed a tear from my cheek. “No crying in this gorgeous dress.”

His touch sent warmth through me that I tried to ignore.

“I need to go, I stepped back. “Matthew’s probably worried.”

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Chapter 208

Blake nodded. ‘I’ll have a car take you home.”

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As I turned, he caught my wrist and pulled me against him, pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was filled with desperation and heartbreak.

I didn’t pull away as tears rolled down my face.

When he broke away, his eyes were wet. “Goodbye, Aria.”

“Goodbye, Blake,’ I managed, then walked out.

After I left, Blake suddenly clutched his chest, his face turning deathly pale, but he forced himself to stay upright.

The ride home passed in a blur. I changed out of the wedding dress, trying to erase all evidence of my encounter with Blake.

My phone rang as I finished washing my face. Matthew’s name on screen.

“Hey, I answered.

“You okay?” Matthew’s voice was tight. “Did Blake behave?”

“We worked things out. He didn’t hurt me.”

“What kind of working out’?”

“He’s accepted that I’m marrying you.”

“Blake backed down?” Matthew sounded shocked. “That doesn’t sound like him.”

“He’s changed,” I said quietly.

Matthew went silent for so long I thought we’d lost connection. “You still there?”

“Yeah, he finally replied, his voice flat. “Blake really has changed, huh?”

“He wants to be in the twins’ lives,” I continued. “Not as their father, just someone they can know.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“No answer yet. It’s a lot to process.”

“Take your time.”

I hesitated. “He also asked to come to our wedding.”

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14:29 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 208

“He what? Blake wants to watch you marry me?”

Matthew made a strange sound, almost a laugh but not quite. “The almighty Blake, begging for scraps of attention from his kids. Never

thought I’d see that.”

Something about his response felt off, but he changed the subject.

I’m at the medical center. Should be home soon. Wedding planning check tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, just a few last things.

“Good. Get some rest.

After hanging up, I sat on my bed, drained. The twins were still with the babysitter downstairs. I needed to pull myself together.

My phone buzzed with a news alert. I opened it, then froze as Blake’s name jumped out.

“BREAKING: Blake Morgan, CEO of Morgan Global Enterprises, rushed to hospital in critical condition.”

Below was a photo of Blake being loaded into an ambulance, his face gray and lifeless. My heart stopped as I stared at the image.

The doorbell rang. I opened it to find Olivia standing there, her face white with worry, phone in hand showing the same news.

“Aria,” she said urgently, “Blake’s in the hospital. They’re saying it’s bad.”

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