The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

OLIVIA

The SoHo café was quiet. I sat across from Aria, watching her stare at her untouched tea. Something had changed in her.

“You were somewhere else,” I said.

Aria looked up. “Sorry. Just remembering.”

“The day you decided to keep the baby?”

She smiled faintly. “You always could read me.”

“That’s what happens when you grow up together.” I squeezed her hand. “I meant it, Aria. I’ll help you however I can.”

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I remembered us as kids. Seven years old, hiding in the Grant estate garden. Aria had scraped her knee climbing the oak tree. I’d used my

dress to wrap the wound. Christine had been furious-not about Aria’s injury, but about the dirt on my clothes.

Even then, Christine never asked if Aria was hurt. Only scolded her for being careless.

The café door chimed. David walked in. My heart jumped despite everything.

“Hey, Aria.” He gave her a small smile as he approached.

“Hi.” She tried to return it, but her face looked stiff.

David sat down beside her. “Thanks for meeting me. I know things have been-

His phone buzzed. He frowned at the screen.

“Just answer it,’ I said.

“It’s nothing- He started to decline the call.

‘Just answer it,” I said.

“It’s nothing-

“David.

He sighed. “It’s Bella.”

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Chapter 28

Always Bella.

“Your cousin who calls every five minutes?”

‘She’s going through a hard time, Liv.

“A hard time that’s lasted six months?” I set down my cup. “There’s being supportive, and then there’s this.”

The phone buzzed again. And again.

David answered, turning away. “Bella, hey… No, I can’t right now… Because I’m with my wife… I understand, but-

I watched his face soften. That patient tone he used with her. The tone he used to use with me.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll come by in an hour… Yes, I’ll bring everything… Stop worrying. It’s fine.”

He hung up. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“Of course you do.”

‘Olivia-

“What is it this time? Car trouble? Boyfriend drama?”

“That’s not fair. She’s family. She doesn’t have anyone else.”

She has parents. Siblings. But somehow you’re the only one who can help her. I leaned forward. “How much this time?”

His jaw tightened. ‘It’s not about money.”

“It’s always about money. How much?”

“Five thousand. Her car needs repairs. It’s a loan. She’ll pay me back.”

Like the three thousand last month? Or the two thousand before that?” My voice rose. “That’s ten thousand dollars, David.”

“We have plenty–”

“That’s not the point! The point is she calls and you run. Every time. No matter what I need, Bella comes first.”

“She’s family-

“And I’m your wife! The mother of your child!” I pressed my hand against my belly. “Doesn’t that count?”

โร

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Chapter 28

The café went quiet. People were staring.

David grabbed his jacket. “We’ll talk at home.”

“Will we? Or will you be too busy with Bella?”

“You’re being unreasonable.”

:

“And you’re being blind!” I stood up. “But fine. Go. Save Bella from whatever crisis she created this week.”

His phone rang again. Bella’s ringtone.

“Go, I said. “Answer it.”

David left.

I sank into my chair, hands shaking. Aria gripped my fingers.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Not your fault.” I blinked back tears. “It’s been building for months.

“How long?”

“Six months. Since Bella lost her job.” I picked up my coffee, then set it down. My hands were trembling. At first I tried to be understanding. But it never stops. Every day there’s a new crisis.”

“Have you talked to him?”

“All the time. He says I’m jealous or insecure.” I laughed bitterly. “Maybe I am.”

“You’re not, Aria said firmly.

I looked at her. She’d lost weight. Dark circles under her eyes. Bandaged hands on the table.

“At least Blake doesn’t pretend to care,” I said, then winced. “Sorry. That was-

“True, Aria finished, “He doesn’t pretend. I always know where I stand.”

“Is that better?”

‘I don’t know. Both are awful.”

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Silence. Two pregnant women in bad marriages, hiding in a café.

“David’s not all bad,” I said. “He just needs to be needed. To save people. And Bella knows how to use that.”

“Has she always been like this?”

“No. She used to be independent. Good job, apartment, boyfriend. Then everything fell apart and David had to fix it.”

“Like he saved you,” Aria said quietly.

“Exactly.” The realization hit hard. “That’s what drew me to him. But now I wonder if that’s all he knows. Saving people.”

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Buttercup11

what does this chapter have to do with the book we’re currently reading.

7 days ago

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