The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

ARIA

“You’ve lost your mind, I managed to get out. “Matthew and I have never-

ཊྛི

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“Never what?” Blake’s grip loosened just enough for me to breathe. “Never kissed? Never held hands in those Grant estate gardens? Never

met up when your mothers weren’t looking?”

“We were kids!” My voice cracked. “Thirteen-year-olds playing hide and seek isn’t some secret romance!”

His laugh was ice. “Kids grow up, Aria. And the way you looked at him last night, reaching for him-

“I was checking if he was okay! Like any normal person would!”

“But not checking on your own husband. His thumb traced my jawline, mocking tenderness. “Interesting choice.”

God, his ego. Everything had to be about him.

“You had plenty of people worrying about you. Emma ready to bandage you up. You didn’t need me.”

“I’m your husband.”

“When it suits you!” I shoved against his chest. He didn’t move. “When you need someone to blame or someone to show off. But when Emma calls, when she needs anything, I disappear!”

His eyes narrowed. “This has nothing to do with Emma.”

“Everything has to do with Emma with you!” My control broke completely. “The carriage house, the jewelry deal, defending her lies-it’s

always Emma!”

“You’re changing the subject. We’re talking about your behavior with Matthew Redwood.”

“There’s no behavior! We barely talk! His family hates mine, remember? He thinks my father murdered his!”

“Yet you were so ready to touch him last night.”

“I wasn’t ready to- I stopped, too tired for this circular argument. “You know what? Believe whatever you want. Make up whatever story makes you feel better about your own actions.”

His hand tightened. “Watch it, Aria.”

‘Or what? You’ll throw more drinks at me? Embarrass me in front of more clients? Tear down more of my childhood for Emma’s dance

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Chapter 54

studio?”

:

Something crossed his face. Guilt? No, Blake Morgan didn’t do guilt.

“The carriage house was business.”

ཉྙཱ

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“Right. Sure it was.” I was done with this conversation, done with his jealousy over nothing while he paraded Emma everywhere. “Can I

leave now? Or do you have more accusations?”

“Accusations?” He leaned closer, his cologne choking me. “Should I verify these claims? Should I ask Mr. Redwood about your history?”

“Go ahead. Matthew would love laughing in your face.” Despite everything, thinking of Matthew’s reaction almost made me smile. “He’d probably enjoy telling you exactly how much he hates me and my ‘killer father.”

Blake studied my face, hunting for lies. Good luck. Matthew and I had less than nothing.

“You sound confident.”

“Because I’m telling the truth. New concept for you, I guess.”

His hand moved from my throat to the wall beside my head, caging me without touching. “You think you have me figured out.”

‘I know you’re jealous over nothing while you publicly claim another woman.” I lifted my chin. “I know you’re a hypocrite demanding loyalty while giving zero.”

I’ve never broken our contract.”

The technicality of it made me laugh. “No, you just gave our family heirloom to your ex-girlfriend. Totally different.

‘Emma deserves-

“Everything. I know. Emma deserves the world while I deserve your anger.” I was exhausted. ‘Are we done? I have real work. You know, the job you were desperate for me to come back to?”

He didn’t budge. “You still haven’t explained this morning.”

Right. The actual reason for this.

‘I helped a friend with an emergency. True enough. A personal situation that needed immediate attention.”

‘What friend?”

“Does it matter? It wasn’t Matthew, since that’s what you’re worried about.”

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Chapter 54

‘Don’t push me, Aria.

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“Then stop treating me like I’m your property!” The words exploded out. “I’m a person with friends, with obligations beyond your orders. I

had something important to deal with, and I dealt with it.”

“Without telling your employer.”

“My employer who spent last night publicly humiliating me? That employer?”

His jaw clenched. “I didn’t humiliate you.”

‘No, you just watched while Emma did. Much better.”

“You’re being dramatic.

“And you’re being an asshole. The word slipped out before I could stop it.

His eyebrows shot up. “What did you say?”

“You heard me.” I was past caring. “You drag me to events to watch you fawn over Emma. You tear down my childhood home for her. You give her jewelry that should be mine. And then you act jealous when I show basic human concern for someone else’s injury?”

“I’m not jealous.”

“Really? What do you call this?” I gestured between us. “Cornering me in my office, accusing me of imaginary affairs, threatening me-

what is this?”

He stepped back suddenly, face unreadable. “Get back to work.”

“Gladly.”

But as he reached the door, he stopped. “Aria?”

“What now?”

“Stay away from Matthew Redwood. I won’t say it again.”

The door clicked shut before I could respond.

I slumped against the wall, legs shaking. My throat ached where he’d gripped it. But more than that, my heart ached from the unfairness

of everything.

He could have Emma. I couldn’t even have friends.

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My phone fell from my pocket, screen lighting up with notifications.

Emma’s Instagram. Of course.

I clicked it with trembling fingers. There she stood, perfect as always, posing in front of rubble and destruction. My childhood carriage house reduced to debris behind her.

“Finally tearing down this useless old shack! The most perfect dance studio is about to shine! He’s been so supportive of my dreams! #NewBeginnings #DanceLife #Blessed #BestSupportiveMan”

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Can’t wait to show Blake the progress!

The last hashtag broke something in me. Best supportive man.

The phone slipped from my numb fingers as sobs tore through me. I curled up on the cold office floor, tears soaking my skirt. Everything I’d ever loved-gone. Destroyed. While Blake protected the woman celebrating my pain.

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