The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

EMMA

I gripped my phone tighter. “Blake, how did it go today?”

I kept my voice light, casual. Just checking in on a friend.

“How did what go?”

Damn it. He sounded distracted. Probably still at the office.

77

“The… you know.” I paused, let concern creep into my voice. “The divorce papers. Weren’t you meeting with

the lawyers today?”

Silence.

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

“How did you know about that?”

My heart jumped into my throat. I’d paid good money for that information from one of the Morgan

household staff. But I couldn’t tell him that.

Think. Think fast.

“I… Blake, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” I let my voice shake. “Your mother mentioned it

yesterday. She seemed relieved you were finally ending things. I thought-I assumed you’d already told

everyone.”

Please buy it. Please buy it.

More silence. Then, “My mother told you.”

“She was having afternoon tea. She started talking about how happy she’d be when that girl was finally out

of the family.” I added a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry. I thought you knew she was telling people.”

1/4

11:28 Wed, Jun 10

Chapter 21

It was risky, throwing Elizabeth under the bus. But she did hate Aria. Everyone knew that.

“What exactly did she say?”

“Just that you were filing today. Two o’clock appointment.” I paused. “Did I get the time wrong?”

“No. You got it right.”

Relief flooded through me. He believed it.

“So how did it go? Is she finally gone?”

“The divorce didn’t happen.”

I stopped walking. The parking garage suddenly felt too quiet.

“What? Why not?”

แล

TI

“She didn’t show up.”

A smile spread across my face. I couldn’t help it. Aria had stood him up. For their own divorce. God, she was

even more stupid than I thought.

Aria hadn’t told Blake why she missed the appointment. I sure as hell wouldn’t either.

“Maybe she had an emergency-”

“Emma.” His voice cut through me. Sharp. “Don’t defend her. Don’t believe anything she says. The woman’s playing games. Trying to get more money or attention. Classic Aria.”

Perfect. He believed the worst. I just needed to keep it that way.

“You’re right.” I softened my voice. “I just worry about you dealing with all this.”

“I can handle my wife. Don’t come by today. I’ve got work.”

The line went dead.

2/4

11:28 Wed, Jun 10

Chapter 21

I slipped into my car and dialed another number immediately.

“Listen.” I kept my voice low, controlled. “No one mentions Elaine’s accident to Blake. Spread the word that

Aria deliberately missed the appointment. Got it?”

“Of course, Miss Grant.”

TI

“Good.” I ended the call.

My mother’s accident was bad timing. But it didn’t have to ruin everything. As long as Blake kept thinking Aria was manipulating him, as long as no one told him the truth, I could still win this.

My phone buzzed. Unknown number.

[Target relocated to Europe per schedule. Wine cellar incident-no traces remain.]

Finally. Good news. The man I’d paid to lock Aria in that wine cellar was gone. Shipped to Europe with enough money to disappear. No evidence. No witnesses.

I hadn’t locked her in myself, of course. I’d just mentioned to the right person how convenient it would be if Blake’s wife had an accident at the gala. How grateful I’d be.

If she’d died down there? Tragic accident. Poor Blake, losing his wife. I’d comfort him. Help him grieve. Eventually, he’d see we belonged together.

But she survived.

I started the engine. My reflection stared back from the rearview mirror. Fine. Direct approach didn’t work.

Time for something smarter.

Time to remove Aria and that baby.

For good.

3/4

11:28 Wed, Jun 10

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