The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Inside was simple-a small living area, a kitchenette, two bedrooms. But it was clean and well-maintained.

Aria moved through the space slowly. Her fingers traced the doorframe of one bedroom.

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“This was mine.” Her voice was quiet. “Mom took the other room.”

I watched her. Really watched her. The way her shoulders relaxed. The way her breathing slowed. She belonged here. In a way she never

belonged in my estate.

That realization hit harder than I expected.

“I used to draw on the walls when I was little.” Aria continued. Her voice was distant. “Mom would get so mad. But Mrs. Grant always said it was fine. That it made the place feel more alive.”

“You were such a creative child. Elaine said from the doorway. “Always making something beautiful out of nothing.”

Aria turned to me suddenly. “This was home. My only real home.”

The words hung between us. Heavy. Accusatory. True.

“We should go.” My voice came out rougher than I intended.

But Aria didn’t move. She stood in that small bedroom. She looked around with an expression I’d never seen before. Peace. Contentment.

Loss.

“If you ever want to come back,” I heard myself say, “I’ll bring you.”

Aria’s head snapped up. Her eyes met mine. She searched for something. Mockery? Cruelty? But I meant it. For reasons I couldn’t explain,

I wanted to give her this.

“You mean that?” she asked.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

A small smile touched her lips. Just for a second. Then it was gone.

We headed back to the main house. Aria walked ahead with Elaine. Their voices were low and warm. I followed a few steps behind.

The front door opened before we reached it. Christine Taylor stood there. Her face was pale with anger.

“Aria! What are you doing?” Christine’s voice cut through the air. ‘Have you forgotten your place?”

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Chapter 37

Aria immediately stepped back from Elaine. Her whole posture changed-shoulders hunched, head down.

‘I’m sorry, Mrs. Grant.” Aria said quickly. “I shouldn’t have-

“Shouldn’t have what?” I cut in before Christine could continue. ‘Been invited to tour her childhood home?”

Christine blinked. ‘Mr. Morgan, I-

“Since when do you decide who the Grants invite on their property?” My voice came out hard. Cold. “Are you suggesting your employers need your permission?”

Aria stared at me. Shocked.

“I didn’t mean- Christine started.

“Christine.” Elaine interrupted. Her voice was gentle but firm. “Blake is right. This is our home. Aria was our guest.”

*Indeed.” Richard added. “Your concerns are misplaced. Return to your duties.”

Christine’s face hardened, but she didn’t argue. As she left, she shot Aria a look that made my hands clench into fists.

After that, lunch ended quickly. Aria stood by the door. She was quiet and withdrawn again.

As we walked to the car, she finally spoke.

“When I was little, I once tried calling Mrs. Grant ‘mom.” Her voice was flat. Empty. “Christine nearly broke my bones for it. She made sure I knew my place in that house.”

I stopped walking. I turned to face her.

‘She what?”

“You heard me. She made it very clear I was the help’s daughter. Nothing more. Aria opened the car door. “Emma and Mrs. Grant are actual mother and daughter. I could never measure up to the woman you actually wanted to marry.”

The words hit harder than they should have. Because they were true. Because I’d made her feel that way. Because every time I looked at her, I saw what I’d lost instead of what I had.

“Good to see you understand boundaries. The words came out before I could stop them. I hated myself even as I said them.

Aria’s expression didn’t change. She just got in the car and stared out the window.

The drive home was silent. But something had shifted. I didn’t know what it was yet. Didn’t know if I wanted to examine it too closely.

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