The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Blake appeared in the kitchen doorway, dressed in khakis and a navy polo. Even in casual wear, he looked like he’d stepped out of a

magazine.

“Ready?” he asked.

༠

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‘Ready.”

We drove to Central Park in silence. I watched Manhattan blur past, trying not to think about last night. About accusations and jealousy

and wounds that went deeper than cuts.

The Grants had claimed a perfect spot near the reservoir. Checkered blankets spread under shady trees, coolers full of drinks, a whole

portable grill setup. They’d gone all out.

I grabbed our basket, eager to see Elaine’s kind face after yesterday’s nightmare.

“Aria! Blake!”

That voice. That horrible, tinkling voice.

Emma came running toward us in a white Dior sundress and impossibly high heels, her golden hair twisted into an elegant updo. She looked straight out of a socialite magazine-every inch the perfect heiress.

Of course she was here.

“Blake!” She practically threw herself at him. “Finally! I’ve been waiting forever!”

She grabbed his arm, pouting prettily. “I’ve been trying to set up this umbrella for ages but I’m just too useless. I kept hoping my knight in shining armor would arrive to save me!”

Knight in shining armor. God, could she be more obvious?

I studied her performance-the helpless hand gestures, the way she leaned close enough to brush against Blake, the practiced vulnerability. This was Emma Grant at her finest. The damsel in distress who always needed Blake’s help.

“Aria.” Blake’s voice cut through my observations. “Where are you going?”

I’d started walking toward where Richard and Elaine were setting up. “To help the Grants. You seem to have the umbrella situation

handled.

‘I said where are you going?” His hand caught my wrist. “Didn’t you hear Emma needs help?”

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Chapter 68

I heard. I also noticed you’re already helping her. One person is enough for an umbrella.

“It’s not enough. His grip tightened, pulling me toward Emma.

Perfect. Another command performance as the third wheel.

Emma’s smile faltered when she saw Blake dragging me over. Her knuckles went white around the umbrella pole she was holding.

“Oh! Aria’s coming too?” She recovered quickly, laugh tinkling. “How nice!”

I watched Blake take the umbrella from her hands, his movements gentle in a way they never were with me. “These poles are tricky. Let

me handle it.

“You haven’t changed a bit, Emma said softly, moving closer. “You’ve been there for me all these ten years.”

There it was. The reminder. The claim. The eternal ghost of their special bond.

Her hand found his arm, and Blake didn’t pull away or correct her-just let her stake her claim while I stood there, invisible as always.

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“Oh, Aria!” Emma turned to me with practiced surprise. ‘I didn’t see you there. Blake and I were just reminiscing about our near-death

experience. You know how those things bond people.

Near-death experience. Bond. Every word carefully chosen to remind me of my place-on the outside, looking in.

My recurring nightmares flashed through my mind. Fire and smoke and teenage Blake’s frightened face. But those were just dreams. Emma

had reality. Emma had history. Emma had Blake.

‘I should go greet Mr. and Mrs. Grant,” I said, keeping my voice pleasant.

“Aria. Blake’s voice stopped me again. “Stay.”

‘Really, I should-

‘I’ll come with you to greet them.”

Emma’s face tightened. “But Blake, the umbrella-

“Can wait.” He moved toward me, reaching for my arm.

I stepped back quickly, and that’s when Emma moved.

“Wait! Blake, I- She rushed forward in those ridiculous heels, her foot catching in the soft grass.

She stumbled. Her hands shot out.

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