The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

I looked up at her, tears in my eyes.

“You said you don’t want to lose this baby,’ she continued softly. “That’s your answer. Everything else is just fear.”

“But I am alone,” I whispered.

“You feel alone right now,” Olivia corrected. “But that doesn’t mean you should give up something you love.”

Her words hit me hard. She was right. I did already love this baby.

“This is YOUR choice, Olivia said quietly. “Not Blake’s. Not his mother’s. Yours.”

She squeezed my hand. “Choose what makes you happy, not what makes everyone else comfortable.”

I touched my stomach, feeling calm settle over me. “You really think I can do this?”

“I think you’re stronger than you know,” Olivia said with a small smile. “And I think this baby is lucky to have you.”

Her words struck something deep inside me. I’d been so focused on Blake’s acceptance that I’d forgotten I could make my own choices.

“I want to keep my baby,” I said, wiping my tears. “No matter how hard it gets.”

Olivia beamed. “Our daughters can be best friends!”

*Blake will definitely divorce me,” I said. “He barely comes home since Emma returned.”

“Good riddance to him!” Olivia snapped. “I promise I’ll be there for you.”

I studied her face. “Why are you being so kind to me? Our families-

Olivia shrugged. ‘Because it’s right. And honestly, you’ve always gotten a raw deal.

Before leaving the hospital, I threw the consent forms into the trash. That simple act lifted a crushing weight from my shoulders.

We had lunch together. Olivia ordered enough food for four people. “Pregnancy makes me ravenous!” she laughed.

Afterward, we visited a baby boutique. Olivia enthusiastically picked out decorations. “Pink for your princess, pink for mine too!”

Looking at tiny clothes and toys, I felt hope for the first time in months.

When Olivia dropped me off at the Morgan estate, she handed me a beautifully wrapped box. Inside was a pink princess doll with an

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Chapter 27

elaborate gown and golden crown.

:

“One for each of our daughters,” she said. ‘I got the matching one for my little girl.

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I held the doll carefully, remembering how I never had nice toys growing up. Christine always said they were wasteful, that I should make

do with hand-me-downs.

“Thank you, Olivia. Not just for this, but for everything today.”

She squeezed my shoulder. “I’ve always liked you, despite our families’ history.”

I remembered all the times she and Matthew had helped me when Christine was at her worst. The warmth had always been there; I’d just

been too lost in shadows to see it.

With renewed hope and my princess doll, I pushed open the front door.

Blake sat on the living room sofa, his eyes cold as winter ice.

FLASHBACK END

*Earth to Aria! Hello?”

I snapped back to reality. Olivia stood beside the table, waving her hand in front of my face. She was glowing, pregnancy making her more

radiant than ever.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said, settling into her chair with some difficulty. “Traffic was a nightmare, and David insisted on the scenic route

again.”

“No worries. Let’s order.” I offered a smile.

“Achoo!” I sneezed suddenly.

“Are you getting sick?” Olivia frowned. “That wine cellar incident-did you catch a cold from that?”

‘I’m fine. Just a sneeze.”

“You don’t look fine.” She studied my face. “When did you last sleep properly? And you’ve lost weight. You’re pregnant, Aria. You should be gaining weight, not losing it.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve been stressed.”

“Stressed doesn’t cover it.” Olivia’s voice softened. ‘Look, I know everything’s a mess right now. Your dad, Blake, the baby. But you need to take care of yourself.”

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Chapter 27

‘I’m trying.

“Try harder.” She squeezed my hand. “Your baby needs you healthy. If you get sick, call me. If you need help, call me. Promise?”

The simple concern in her voice made my chest tight. I promise.”

“Good.” She sat back. “Now eat your vegetables. You barely touched them.”

The door chimed. David Coleman walked in.

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