The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

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ARIA

Tires screeched on the gravel driveway. I looked up from my laptop and saw Christine getting out of a taxi, an oversized shopping bag in

her hands.

Perfect timing. Just perfect.

I met her at the door before she could ring the bell.

“Aria.” She looked me over with that expression I’d learned to dread. “You look terrible. Are you even eating?”

‘I’m fine. Why are you here?”

She pushed past me into the foyer. “I don’t need a reason to visit my own daughter.”

I shut the door harder than necessary. “You always have a reason.”

Christine dropped her bag on the console table. The thunk echoed through the entrance hall. “I brought you something important.”

“What kind of something?”

She started pulling things out. Bottles. Packets. Strange powders in unlabeled containers. Each one made my chest tighter.

“Premium fertility supplements,” she said proudly. “The kind that costs thousands.”

“Mom, I already told you-

“Don’t start with me.” She lined up three bottles of prenatal vitamins. “Two of these every morning. The tea twice daily. And you’ll send me photos. Just what we agreed.”

We never agreed to anything.

I picked up one of the bottles. “Where did you even get these?”

“That doesn’t matter. Results matter.” She pulled out her phone. “I made a shared album. Morning and evening. You document everything.”

Something broke inside me. All the obedience, all the good daughter act-it just drained away.

“Take them back.”

Christine froze. “What did you say?”

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Chapter 31

“Take them back. All of it. I’m done.

Her eyes went hard. ‘Aria, we talked about this-

“No. You talked. I’m finished taking orders.”

“Finished?” She laughed, sharp and mean. “Do you have any idea what I’ve sacrificed for you?”

I looked her straight in the eye. “If you won’t take these, I’ll throw them out myself.”

We stood there. The silence felt thick enough to choke on.

Then her expression changed. The anger shifted into something else.

“Wait.” She moved closer. “You’ve been avoiding me for weeks.”

I took a step back. “I’ve been busy.”

“No.” Her eyes narrowed. “You look different. Pale. Thinner.” She grabbed my wrist. “When did you last have your period?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Everything about you is my business.” Her grip tightened. “You’re pregnant.”

‘No.’

“You’re lying.” She grabbed my other arm. Her nails dug in. “We’re going to a clinic right now. Blood test.”

I tried to pull away. “You can’t force me-

“Can’t I?’ She held tighter. “If you’re pregnant with Blake’s heir, the Morgans need to know.” She started pulling me toward the elevator. “Ten minutes and we’ll have proof.”

“Let go!”

“We’re going to that clinic. I don’t care if you fight me-

“I SAID LET GO!”

Her face twisted. She shoved me hard.

I stumbled backward. My arms went out, grasping at air. The glass coffee table rushed toward my head. This is going to hurt-

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Chapter 31

Strong hands caught me. Pulled me against a solid chest. Blake’s cologne-cedar and something dark-filled my nose as he steadied me.

BLAKE

I’d come back for a forgotten file. Walked in just as Christine pushed Aria toward that table. My body moved before my brain caught up.

She shook against me. Her breathing came fast and shallow. Something uncomfortable twisted in my chest. Protective instinct, maybe.

Nothing more than that.

“Mrs. Taylor.” I kept my voice cold. One arm stayed around Aria. “Interesting way to treat your daughter.”

Christine went pale. “Mr. Morgan! I didn’t know you were home. This is just a misunderstanding-

“I saw what happened.”

“She lost her balance! I was trying to help-”

“Don’t lie to me.” Aria’s heart pounded against my chest. “I watched you push her.”

“Aria, tell him! Tell Mr. Morgan it was an accident!”

Aria said nothing. Stayed rigid in my arms.

This woman raised her. No wonder Aria’s so messed up.

I pushed the thought away. Why did I care about Aria’s childhood? Why did seeing her hurt make me want to destroy something?

Just tired. That’s all.

“Get out,” I said.

“Please, let me explain! I only brought vitamins-

‘Vitamins?’ I felt Aria flinch. “That involve assault?”

“Mr. Morgan, I’m her mother-

“Security!” I didn’t look away from Christine.

Two guards appeared fast.

“Take Mrs. Taylor off the property. She’s not allowed back.”

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“You can’t do this!’ Christine’s control shattered. “Aria! Say something!”

The guards grabbed her arms. She started fighting them. ‘I’m her mother! You have no right! Aria, tell him!”

Aria didn’t speak. Didn’t even look at Christine as they dragged her out. Her face had gone pale, but she didn’t defend the woman who raised her.

Interesting.

The door slammed. Silence filled the space.

Aria tried to step away. I caught her wrist. “Not yet.”

She looked up at me. Those green eyes were wider than usual. When had I started noticing things that?

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Two words. They shouldn’t have mattered. But something in my chest tightened anyway.

Focus.

I studied her face. Still held her wrist. “Were you two fighting about those fertility drugs?”

Relief showed in her expression. “Actually, I was trying to give them back.”

I laughed without humor. “So this whole time-getting pregnant to secure your spot as Mrs. Morgan-that wasn’t your plan?”

“No.” She walked to the table. Grabbed a pill bottle. Threw it in the trash. “I’m done. With the pills. With all of it.”

She turned back. Chin up. “Happy?”

She threw them away. I should have been pleased. Instead something dark twisted in my gut. I crossed to her. My hands gripped her

waist. Hard.

“Why?” The word came out harsh. “Why stop now? You don’t want kids? Or just not with me?”

She stared at me. “Does it matter?”

Yes. I don’t know why, but yes.

“I won’t trap you,” she said quietly. “Not with a baby. Not with anything.”

“How convenient. My voice was cold. “So what’s the real reason? Found another angle?

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Her face flushed. “What are you saying? That I’d drug you? That I’d- She stopped. “You’re being ridiculous.”

Something ugly rose in me. ‘Or maybe you decided Matthew would be a better option.”

“What?” She looked genuinely shocked. “I would never-how could you even think that?”

I stepped closer. Dropped my voice. “Listen to me, Aria. While we’re married, if you even think about another man-any man-I’ll make you regret it for the rest of your life.”

Something changed in her expression. She was seeing me differently now. Good. She should understand what she’s dealing with.

“Tomorrow,” I said. Released her and stepped back. “You’re coming to a dinner event with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Make me.”

The challenge hung between us. I leaned closer until our faces were inches apart. “Don’t test me.”

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