The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

ARIA

ន

55

A week had passed since I confronted Christine at the hospital. Dad’s condition remained stable, with no signs of waking yet. To keep myself from drowning in anxiety, I accepted Olivia’s invitation for coffee.

The coffee shop was tucked away on a quiet street in SoHo-one of those minimalist places with exposed brick and plants hanging from the ceiling. I sat by the window, watching rain streak down the glass. My untouched herbal tea grew cold in front of me.

Olivia was running late. Not unusual, but it gave me too much time to think.

My mind drifted back to that day. The day everything shifted.

FLASHBACK

The waiting room at the women’s health clinic felt suffocating. Every other woman had someone with her-partners, mothers, friends. I sat alone in the corner, hyperaware of the whispers and stolen glances.

The clipboard in my hands weighed a thousand pounds. My signature sat at the bottom of forms I wasn’t sure I wanted to sign.

Everything had become unbearable. Emma was back, and Blake treated her like she hung the moon. Christine never missed an opportunity to remind me how worthless I was. Dad lay unconscious in his hospital bed. The morning sickness left me retching multiple times a day. I

was completely alone, carrying a child nobody wanted.

“Taylor, Aria?” The nurse’s voice cut through my thoughts.

My heart jumped. I stood, legs trembling. This was it.

The doctor reviewed my chart. ‘Everything looks fine for the procedure. Is someone waiting to take you home? You’ll need assistance

afterward.”

“I’ll call a car. I forced what I hoped passed for a smile.

Her brow furrowed. ‘No family available?”

“My father’s in the hospital. Everyone else is occupied.” The words tasted bitter.

The doctor’s expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone.” She handed me water. “Your father

-if he knew, he’d want to be here for you, wouldn’t he?”

Dad would be devastated if he knew where I was. Tears burned my eyes as I thought about how fiercely he’d always protected me.

1/3

13:48 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 26

“Are you certain about proceeding? the doctor asked gently.

I blinked back tears. Just give me the paperwork.”

She nodded. ‘I’ll make sure the team takes excellent care of you.”

Walking out of her office, dizziness overwhelmed me. My legs buckled. I would have hit the floor if someone hadn’t caught my arm.

*Easy there!”

I looked up and froze. “Olivia?”

Olivia Redwood stood before me, her baby bump visible beneath her maternity dress. Her eyes widened as they dropped to my stomach.

“You’re pregnant?” She looked genuinely shocked.

Panic shot through me. I tried to hide the surgical consent forms behind my back, but it was too late. She’d seen them.

We found a quiet spot near the vending machines. Olivia sipped orange juice while I stared at the floor.

51

“I don’t go to Matthew’s hospital for appointments,” she explained. “He’d just lecture me about David not being here.” She studied me

carefully. “When did this happen? Does Blake know?”

“No. Nobody at the Morgan house knows.” I bit my lip. “Blake doesn’t love me. With Emma back, he’d assume I got pregnant on purpose to

trap him.”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re planning to…” She nodded toward the papers in my hand.

I couldn’t meet her gaze.

I watched emotions flicker across Olivia’s face. As the daughter of the man my father allegedly killed, she had every reason to enjoy my

suffering. But compassion won.

“Aria,” her voice was surprisingly tender, “that’s your baby. Your child.”

I glanced up, surprised by the gentleness in her eyes.

‘I don’t want to lose this baby, I admitted, my voice breaking. “Since Dad’s coma, this child is the only real family I have left. But

bringing a baby into this situation… Blake doesn’t want it. His family would make my life hell. Maybe it’s selfish to keep–”

“Stop.” Olivia’s voice was firm but gentle. She reached across and held my hand. “This isn’t about Blake. This isn’t about the Morgans. This

is about what YOU want.”

2/3