The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

ARIA

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Bryant Park was bustling with joggers, tourists, and street performers. I rolled the large suitcase containing five million dollars through

the crowd, my hand gripping the small knife hidden in my pocket. Blake’s security team was supposedly watching, but I didn’t trust any of

them. Not after last night.

God, what was I doing here? Pregnant and delivering ransom money to kidnappers. All for Emma Grant.

“You’ll be protected, Blake had said from the car, his voice flat and emotionless. “My team will pick you up after you deliver the money.

I laughed. Actually laughed in his face before slamming the car door. The look on his face-cold, always so damn sure he was right. Well,

he could take his protection and shove it.

Jack had looked worried as I walked away. Poor Jack. At least someone gave a damn whether I lived or died.

The abandoned subway maintenance entrance appeared at the southwest corner of the park, blocked off by rusted gates and faded ‘No

Entry” signs. Perfect place for a ransom drop. I wheeled the suitcase to the designated spot and immediately let go. I didn’t care about

checking for kidnappers or Emma. I just wanted out.

My fingers wrapped around the knife handle as I speed-walked toward the exit. Almost there. Almost safe. Then something hard cracked

against my neck.

The world went black.

I woke up to the smell of mold and dust. My wrists burned from nylon rope cutting into them. My ankles were bound too. The knife was

gone, of course.

Where the hell was I?

Some kind of warehouse. Empty, abandoned, the kind of place where people disappeared forever. My neck throbbed where they’d hit me, but otherwise I seemed okay. My hand moved to my stomach instinctively. Please be okay, baby. A tiny flutter answered me. Thank God.

‘I already told you, we agreed to just scare her! Jacob’s voice echoed through the space. He was on the phone, pacing back and forth.

‘Give you your revenge, that was the deal!”

Someone on the other end was talking. Jacob’s face got redder with each word.

“Kill her? Are you insane? I’ve never even killed a damn cat!”

More talking. Then Jacob’s shoulders slumped.

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Chapter 76

“Fine. Fine! I’ll do it. But after this, you better make sure I can disappear safely!”

He hung up and cursed loudly. Several creative combinations I hadn’t heard before.

“You’re awake. He noticed me watching him. “Don’t bother screaming. This place is in the middle of nowhere. No one will hear you.”

“I wasn’t planning to scream. My voice came out steadier than I felt. ‘Blake wouldn’t come anyway. He’s too busy playing knight in

shining armor for Emma.”

Jacob snorted. “Your cold-hearted CEO husband sent you to deliver money and let you fall right into my hands. Pretty ironic, right?”

“Not really. Blake’s always been good at sacrificing other people. The words tasted bitter but true. “He doesn’t care about anyone but

himself. And Emma, of course.”

God, even now, tied up in some warehouse, I was still thinking about Blake and his precious Emma. Pathetic.

“You know, I thought you’d be different,” Jacob said, studying me. “Mrs. Morgan, living in that fancy estate. Thought you’d be just as

arrogant as him.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “You want to know something interesting? Two people want you dead. Both of them pretty

important too.”

My blood chilled. “Two people?”

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“Yeah. The person who sent those kidnapping texts to Blake? Not the same one who hired me to grab you.” He shook his head. “Complicated, right? Even I’m getting confused.”

These two important people who can convince someone like you to trust them,” I said carefully, “they must be really powerful.”

Jacob’s eyes narrowed. “I know what you’re doing. Trying to get information out of me.”

“Does it matter? You’re going to kill me anyway, right?” I kept my voice calm even though my heart was racing. ‘What difference does it

make if I know who wants me dead?”

“Blake’s been investigating me,” Jacob said suddenly. “That bastard has connections everywhere. Police, FBI, private investigators. All

trying to track me down.”

He pulled out a knife. His knuckles were white from gripping it so hard. The blade shook in his hand.

“You know you don’t want to do this, I said as he approached. “You’re not a killer, Jacob.”

The knife stopped an inch from my stomach. His hand trembled.

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“You really want to become a murderer?” I pressed on. Throw away your whole life because two people manipulated you?”

“Shut up!” But he didn’t move the knife closer.

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“We’re in the same boat, you and me.” I forced myself to look him in the eye. “Both of us got used by people more powerful than us. They

whispered in your ear, pushed you to crime, and now they want you to be their fall guy.”

‘IT’S ALL BLAKE’S FAULT!” Jacob exploded, waving the knife wildly. “He destroyed my father for you! The Williams family disowned me

because of what he did!”

“So kill me and run away with five million dollars?” I asked. “You really think those two people will let you live after you know their

secrets?”

Jacob’s face went pale.

“They already lied to you once,” I continued. “You said it yourself-this was supposed to be about scaring me, not killing me. What else

have they lied about?”

“At least they didn’t promise me forever and then throw me away,” Jacob spat, but his grip on the knife loosened.

“You’re right. Blake promised me we’d always be together.” My throat tightened. “Look where that got me. Tied up in a warehouse, about

to die for his ex-girlfriend.”

Jacob stared at me. Really looked at me for the first time.

“You’re just like me,” I said quietly. “Used and thrown away when we’re not convenient anymore. But you still have a choice. You’re just guilty of being manipulated into kidnapping. If I testify for you, you’ll get a lighter sentence.”

“Why would you help me?”

Because the real criminals are those two people pulling your strings. Don’t you hate them? They’re using you and they’ll abandon you the

second they get what they want.”

Jacob’s eyes were wild, processing everything. The knife wavered in his hand.

“You’re not a killer, I repeated. ‘Don’t let them turn you into one.”

For a long moment, we just stared at each other. Then slowly, so slowly, Jacob began to lower the knife.

Just as Jacob was about to put down the knife, a female voice suddenly interrupted the moment.

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