The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 75

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

Chapter 75

BLAKE

The next day

My phone buzzed. I grabbed it, expecting Emma’s text. She was still in the hospital with her injury.

The video made my blood run cold.

Emma was tied up, hair a mess, face pale. Bruises covered her arms. She looked small and broken-nothing like the star ballerina I knew.

I jumped up, chair scraping the floor. My hands shook. This couldn’t be real. Not Emma. Not with her spine already fucked up.

The doctor’s words hit me: If she doesn’t rest, she might never dance again.

I called her number.

“Hello?” Jack answered, panicked.

“Where’s Emma?”

“She’s gone. I’ve been looking for thirty minutes-”

“She’s been kidnapped!” I shouted. “I told you to watch her! One job, Jack!”

“She wanted coffee. Said she’d go alone. Wouldn’t let me follow-”

“So you just let her walk out?’

‘She insisted. When she didn’t come back-

“Should I call the cops?”

‘No. No police.”

Another text came through. I hung up on Jack.

[Five million dollars. Aria Taylor delivers it. Or we cut out your ballerina’s spine. No more dancing.]

I saw red. My phone creaked in my grip. Those sick fucks knew exactly where to hit.

Another message.

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(No cops. Only Aria. Look at your girl.]

The photo turned my stomach. Knife against Emma’s leg. Tears on her face. Eyes begging for help.

I remembered my promise from ten years ago: I’ll keep you dancing forever.

The crystal glass in my hand exploded against the wall. Glass shards scattered across the floor, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t let Emma s career end like this. I couldn’t break my promise to her.

“You don’t need to worry so much, Aria said from across the table. She’d heard my conversation with Jack. “We should call the police. They can help.

I turned to her, my jaw clenched. “Do you want Emma to come back safely?”

“Of course I do.” Her green eyes held mine steadily.

She tilted her head, thinking. “This has gotta be Jacob Williams. He wanted to use me to get revenge on you, right? I mentioned it to you before. When he couldn’t get his hands on me, he probably just grabbed Emma instead.”

I nodded. She was probably right. But that didn’t change what needed to happen next.

“Good. Then you can help. The words tasted bitter in my mouth.

Aria’s hand moved instinctively to her stomach. Something flickered in her eyes-fear? “What do you mean?”

“The kidnappers want you to deliver the ransom money.”

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She jerked back as if I’d slapped her. “You want me to do what?” Her voice rose with disbelief. “Why should I do anything you say? I’m not

your puppet, Blake!”

My chest tightened. She was right, but I didn’t have a choice. Emma’s life-her career-hung in the balance.

‘Because this is about Jacob Williams, I said, keeping my voice level. His target was you. Emma’s suffering because of you.’

Aria shot to her feet, her chair toppling backward. “Because of me?’ Her face flushed with anger. Are you seriously blaming me for this?”

‘Do you even know why Jacob hates me?” She was shaking now, her whole body trembling with rage. It’s because of you, Blake! You dragged me into your war with the Williams family. You took me to that dinner for Emma, where I was almost assaulted. And now you want me to risk my life again?’

Her words hit me like physical blows, but I couldn’t back down. Not with Emma’s photo burned into my mind.

“You’re the most shameless person in the world!” Aria’s voice cracked. ‘For ten years, I gave you everything. My emotions, my dignity-all trampled in the mud while everyone laughed at me. And you still want more?’

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Chapter 75

Each word carved into me, but I pushed the guilt down. Emma needed me. I’d made her a promise.

You said you wanted Emma to come back safely,” I reminded her, my voice cold.

“Don’t you dare.” Her eyes blazed. “That’s emotional blackmail, and you know it. Emma’s safety is your problem, not mine.”

I’ll have a security team with you. You’ll be protected-

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“Protected?” She laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Like you protected me at that dinner? Like you’ve ever protected me from

anything?”

She stepped closer, and I saw something desperate in her eyes. “Blake, I’m actually preg-

“You don’t have a choice.” I cut her off, not wanting to hear whatever excuse she’d come up with. “Your father’s medical bills still need to

be paid.”

The words hung between us like a blade. I watched the fight drain from her face, replaced by something worse. Defeat.

She understood now. This wasn’t a request.

“I have to save Emma, I continued, hating myself with every word. “I can’t break my promise to her.”

Aria’s face went pale. She looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. As if finally understanding where she stood in my priorities.

“Fine.” The word was barely a whisper. “I’ll deliver the money.”

My chest felt hollow as I watched her acceptance. Some twisted part of me wanted to take it back, to find another way. But Jacob wanted Aria specifically. He wanted to torment me by using her. At least this way, with security watching, she’d be safe. It was just psychological warfare. Jacob wouldn’t actually hurt her.

I had to believe that.

T’ll have the money ready,’ I said, my voice rough. “You’ll deliver it first thing tomorrow morning.

Aria said nothing. She just stood there, one hand still protective over her stomach, staring at me with those green eyes that used to look at me with love. Now they were empty.

“I’ll make it up to you, I heard myself say. After Emma’s safe, I’ll give you anything. Money, freedom.

forever.

even if you want to stay married

She actually smiled then. A cold, bitter smile that made my stomach twist.

“Stay married to you forever?” She shook her head slowly. “That’s not a reward, Blake. That’s a punishment.”

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Chapter 75

The words shouldn’t have hurt. I’d asked for this. But they sliced through me anyway.

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She turned and walked toward the stairs, her movements careful and deliberate. Twice she stumbled, catching herself on the banister. Part

of me wanted to help her, to make sure she was okay. But I stayed frozen in place.

She disappeared into our suite, the door closing with a soft click that sounded like an ending.

I sank back into my chair, my hands trembling again. My eyes burned, whether from rage or something else, I couldn’t tell. All I knew was that I’d just made a choice that would haunt me forever.

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