The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56

My chest went hollow. Another gift. Another piece of my life handed to her on a silver platter.

“What am I supposed to know?” My voice sounded far away, even to my own ears.

Blake said, “Since when do I owe you explanations? I told you to show up. That’s the beginning and end of what you need to understand.

The words hit me like physical blows. Each one precisely aimed.

Emma tugged at his arm. “Everyone’s dying to see inside! Come on!”

The new building stood where the old carriage house-I used to live there-had been. Of course it did. Chrome and glass and everything modern, a stark contrast to the estate’s classical architecture. Emma’s friends-dancers, all of them, with their graceful movements and expensive taste-cooed over every detail.

“These mirrors shipped directly from Milan.” Emma gestured dramatically. “And the sound system? Blake had engineers custom-build it. He never does anything halfway.”

I stood at the edge of the group, still clutching the forgotten file. Why was I here? To witness another shrine to Emma? To watch Blake shower her with gifts while I wore myself down to nothing?

Then I saw it. The pile.

Mountains of splintered wood, rusted metal, and broken stone heaped beside the pristine studio. Remnants of something old. Something

that had been in the way.

“That mess over there?” Emma followed my gaze. “Just leftovers from the old building. The crew’s coming tomorrow to haul it off. Pretty

ugly, huh?”

Blake’s voice cut through the chatter. “Why wait?”

Everyone turned to look at him.

His eyes found mine, cold as winter. ‘Ms. Taylor, you’ll take care of the cleanup.”

A gasp went up. Emma’s friends darted looks at each other.

My hands trembled, but I kept my voice steady. “Say that again?”

“You heard me perfectly.” He gestured to the pile of debris. “Clear it. Every last piece.”

Emma touched his arm. “Blake, honey, that’s way too much. I was planning to hire a whole team-

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13:53 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 56

“She’s capable enough. His gaze never left mine. Aren’t you, Ms. Taylor? You’re always telling everyone how independent you are How

you don’t need help.

The file crumpled in my grip. He wanted me to what? Clean up construction debris in front of all these people?

“Blake.” Emma’s voice dripped manufactured concern. “Maybe we could just talk this through-

“Talk about what? The words shot out before I could stop them.

Emma’s eyes widened in practiced innocence. “Well, whatever’s making you so defensive? A little grace goes a long way. Aria.”

Grace. She wanted me to grovel. To beg my husband’s forgiveness for the crime of existing.

“Not happening.”

Blake stepped closer. “What did you say?”

“I said no. I’m not apologizing for nothing.” I lifted my chin.

“Then you’ll move every piece of that debris. Today. By yourself.” His smile was sharp as glass. “Don’t even think about going anywhere

until the job’s finished.”

Emma tried one more time, turning to where my mother stood among the guests. “Christine, you can’t possibly think-

“My daughter’s always had a stubborn streak.” My mother’s voice was colder than Blake’s. “Maybe this will knock some sense into her.”

The betrayal shouldn’t have surprised me anymore. But somehow, it still carved out new pieces of my heart.

Blake’s satisfaction was palpable. Since we’ve settled that, let’s continue the tour. No point standing around here.”

Blake’s smile turns razor-sharp, and I shiver. Mom’s words sting, but his silence-that quiet satisfaction-cuts deeper than ice.

They filed back toward the house, Emma’s laugh floating on the breeze. Not one person looked back. Not one.

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