The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90

ARIA

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The thunder cracked outside my window. My phone rang. The hospital’s number flashed on the screen.

“Hello?” My voice came out small.

“Ms. Taylor? This is Redwood Medical Center. There’s been an incident involving your father. You need to come immediately.”

The woman’s voice continued, but her words turned into distant noise. My brain stopped working.

“Ms. Taylor? Are you there?”

“I’m coming,” I managed to say before hanging up.

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I grabbed my keys and limped toward the door, not bothering with a jacket despite the storm. My leg, still healing from surgery, throbbed with each step. The rain soaked through my clothes as I fumbled with the car door, wincing from the pain. My hands shook so badly I dropped the keys twice.

The drive to the hospital was a blur. I ran red lights. I swerved around cars. My windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the downpour.

“He’s fine,” I told myself out loud. “Dad’s fine. They just want me to sign something.”

But the knot in my stomach tightened with each mile.

The hospital emergency entrance was crowded. People huddled in small groups, their faces drawn with worry. I pushed past them, rushing toward the reception desk.

“Aaron Taylor,” I said to the receptionist. ‘I’m his daughter. They called me.”

She looked at her computer. “Please take a seat in the waiting area. The doctor will be with you shortly.”

“No, I need to see him now.”

‘I understand, but-

“You don’t understand!” My voice rose. ‘My father-

A security guard looked our way. The receptionist kept her voice calm. “Please, Ms. Taylor. Have a seat.”

I stepped away, my heart pounding. People in the waiting area were talking in hushed tones. I caught fragments of their conversation.

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13:59 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 90

-by the lake in the rehabilitation garden-

-found him in the water-

-must have been there for at least ten minutes-

-the poor man had just woken up from a coma-

-I heard his caregiver stepped out to pick up something-

-why would they take him to the lake-

-such a dangerous place for someone who just woke up-*

Each word was a physical blow. I backed away until I hit the wall, sliding down to the floor. The room tilted around me.

A middle-aged woman touched my shoulder. “Are you okay, dear?”

I couldn’t answer. My legs wouldn’t support me when I tried to stand. She helped me to a chair, her face blurring in front of me.

“Aria!”

I looked up to see Olivia hurrying toward me, one hand supporting her pregnant belly. Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed.

“I came as soon as I heard,” she said, sitting beside me and taking my hand. “Aaron is strong. He’ll pull through this.”

I stared at her, unable to form words.

“They’re doing everything they can,” she continued. “Matthew is in there with him now.”

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“What happened?” I finally asked, my voice barely audible.

Olivia squeezed my hand. From what I understand, he was by the lake in the rehabilitation garden. They were doing some outdoor therapy. Somehow he ended up in the water. They found him floating near the shore.”

“How long?”

“Aria-

“How long was he in the water?”

“At least ten minutes. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Maybe longer. By the time they found him and pulled him out…”

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13:59 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 90

The words knocked the air from my lungs. I pictured it-Dad’s fragile body, weakened from ten years in a coma, falling into the cold lake

water. Unable to call for help. The water pulling him down as he struggled.

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“No.”

“Aria, listen to me. Olivia looked directly into my eyes. “Your father is a fighter. He survived ten years in a coma. He woke up when nobody thought he would. If anyone can pull through this, it’s him.”

I wanted to believe her. I needed to believe her.

We sat in silence after that, my hand clutched in hers, waiting for news that would either restore my world or shatter it forever.

The emergency room doors swung open. Matthew stepped out, his expression grim. My heart sank.

“Aria,” he said, his voice gentle. “Can we talk?”

I stood on shaky legs. “He’s okay, right? My dad’s okay?”

Matthew’s silence told me everything. I refused to hear it.

“Tell me he’s okay,” I demanded.

Comments

Kaydence Faught

I am bawling my eyes out!

7 days ago

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