The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

ARIA

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I woke up earlier than usual this morning. The first thing I grabbed was the worn teddy bear on my dresser. Dad gave it to me for my tenth birthday. The stuffing was coming out and one eye hung by a thread, but I couldn’t throw it away. Today, I decided to bring it to the

hospital.

Dad had saved for months to buy it from that expensive toy store I always stared at through the window. “Every princess deserves a royal guard, he’d said with that warm smile that made everything feel okay.

After showering carefully, I threw on casual clothes and checked my reflection. Dark circles showed my sleepless nights. The Hampton Estate never felt like home – just a beautiful prison.

I shook off the thought and headed out. The morning air was crisp as I drove to Redwood Medical Center, the teddy bear in my passenger

seat.

When I arrived at Dad’s room, I found his bed empty. A momentary panic gripped me before a nurse noticed my expression.

“Looking for Mr. Taylor?” She smiled warmly. “He’s been moved to our new rehabilitation garden for some sunshine.”

I thanked her and headed toward the garden. As I walked down the long corridor, a familiar silhouette caught my eye.

“Emma?” I stopped abruptly, squinting at the figure turning the corner.

The woman had Emma’s build and honey-blonde hair. My heart jumped. What would Emma be doing here? I hurried forward, but she was gone. Must have been my imagination. The stress was getting to me.

The rehabilitation garden was peaceful with flowering plants and comfortable seating areas. A small fountain trickled nearby. I spotted Dad immediately. He sat in a wheelchair facing the sun, a private nurse standing beside him.

“Dad!” I called out, my voice breaking.

The nurse turned. ‘Ms. Taylor, good morning. Your father has been doing well today.”

I rushed forward. Dad’s head turned toward my voice, and when our eyes met, I saw recognition there. Real, clear recognition. After ten years of vacant eyes, that spark of awareness made my knees weak.

“A…ria… The sound was barely audible, but it was my name.

I dropped to my knees beside his wheelchair, tears streaming down my face. “Dad! You said my name!”

The nurse smiled. “He’s been making progress with speech therapy. I’ll give you two some privacy.” She stepped away.

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13:59 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 88

I took Dad’s hand, not caring that my tears were falling on both of us. These hands once swung me around in circles until we both

collapsed laughing on the grass.

‘I can’t believe you’re really awake,’ I said. ‘Do you know how long I’ve waited? Ten years, Dad. Ten whole years.”

Dad’s fingers twitched against mine. He raised his index finger slightly, making a weak ‘thumbs up gesture.

I laughed through my tears. “You still remember our signal. Oh Dad, there’s so much I want to tell you.”

“T-tell… me, he managed.

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“Look who I brought.” I placed the teddy bear on his lap. “Remember Mr. Buttons? You gave him to me for my tenth birthday. I’ve kept

him all these years.”

Dad’s eyes brightened with recognition. He tried to lift his hand to touch the bear, but his fingers remained stiff. The teddy bear slipped

off his lap.

“Don’t worry.” I picked it up, brushing off the dirt. “I can clean him at home and bring him back.”

Dad’s face tensed, his fingers suddenly grasping at the bear. He made agitated noises, his entire body rigid with fear.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” I placed the bear back on his lap quickly. “I won’t take him.”

He clutched at it as best he could, his breathing ragged. The sudden panic in his eyes unsettled me, but I pushed it aside.

“He can stay here with you,” I said softly. “But listen to me. You’re going to get better. The doctors say you’re making incredible progress.

Soon you’ll walk out of here.”

“Home,’ he whispered.

“Yes! Home!” I squeezed his hand gently. “We’re going to have our own home again. Somewhere with a kitchen where we can cook together. Remember how you used to make those terrible pancakes?”

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