The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 35

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

Chapter 35

“You’re not going anywhere.” He reached for me again.

I ducked under his arm. “Watch me.”

His hand caught my wrist. Pulled me back. “Listen to me-

“Why?” I yanked against his grip. “So you can explain how I’m overreacting? How I should be grateful? Save it.”

“You’re my wife!”

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“On paper!” The words ripped out. “That’s all I’ve ever been to you. A signature. A legal document. A bargaining chip when you need one!”

“That’s not true-

“Isn’t it?” I was crying now. Angry tears that burned. “Tell me one time, Blake. One single time you treated me like I mattered. Like I was more than a convenient stand-in for the woman you really wanted.”

His face went pale. “Don’t bring Emma into this.”

“Why not? She’s always here. In every room. Every conversation. Every decision you make.” I laughed through tears. “I’m so tired of competing with your first love.”

“You’re not competing-

“Then what am I doing?” I pulled hard. He pulled back. We were too close to the stairs. “What is this if not me desperately trying to be enough for a man who’ll never want me?”

Something cracked in his expression. “Aria, that’s not-

‘Let go. My voice broke. “Please. Just let me go.”

“No.” His grip tightened. “We’re going to work this out.”

“There’s nothing to work out!” I twisted violently. “There never was!”

My heel caught. I lost my balance.

Blake’s eyes went wide. His hand slipped.

Then he was falling.

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13:50 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 35

His body hit the stairs. Once. Twice. Three times. The sound echoed. Wet. Wrong.

He stopped halfway down. Didn’t move.

Blood pooled beneath his head. Dark against white marble.

I stood frozen at the top of the stairs. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.

The blood kept spreading. So much blood.

Voices shouted behind me. Hotel staff running toward the stairs.

My body moved on instinct. I turned. Walked the other direction. Found a side exit.

My car. I needed my car.

The valet brought it around. His eyes widened at my appearance. My ruined dress. My bare feet. I must have lost my shoes.

I didn’t care. I got in. Drove.

The city blurred past. Lights streaked across my vision. Or maybe those were tears.

Blake’s face. His eyes going wide. The sound of his body hitting marble.

I pushed the gas pedal harder.

Hampton Estate appeared. I don’t remember the drive. My hands shook as I unlocked the door.

Inside. Safe. I made it inside.

I stumbled upstairs. Tore off the pink dress. It had blood on the hem. Just a few drops. But enough.

I threw it in the trash. Climbed into bed in my underwear.

Sleep came eventually. Dragged me under.

The smoke was everywhere. Thick. Choking.

“Help! Someone help!” A boy’s voice.

I found him trapped under a beam. His face covered in soot. His fingers bloody. Young Blake Morgan. Maybe fourteen. Panicked eyes.

“Are you hurt?”

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13:50 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 35

“My hand. He showed me his bloody fingers. ‘I think I broke something.”

I tore fabric from my shirt. Wrapped his hand. “We need to get out.”

“I can’t move this.”

“We’ll move it together. On three.”

We did it. The building burned around us.

“We need to get you to a hospital,” I said.

“I don’t think we’re getting out.” He coughed hard.

“Yes, we are. I promise. Once we’re out, I’ll take you to the best hospital. Find the best doctor.”

A small smile crossed his face. “Okay. I’ll hold you to that.”

But the scene shifted. I watched Blake fall down stairs. Watched blood pool. Watched myself turn and walk away.

Someone I’d saved once. Someone I’d abandoned later.

I promised to protect him. Then I left him bleeding on marble floors.

I jerked awake. The room was dark. Night had fallen completely.

My throat was dry. I needed water.

I got up. Moved through the dark house on bare feet. Every shadow felt wrong. Threatening.

Down the stairs. Carefully. Each step reminded me of earlier. Of Blake falling. The sound his body made.

I reached the bottom. Turned toward the kitchen.

A figure stepped out from the shadows.

I gasped. Stumbled backward.

My heel caught on something. The edge of the rug. The corner of the stairs.

I was falling. Arms reaching for something to grab.

Nothing there.

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