The CEO's Regret: His Lost Wife's Secret Twins novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

BLAKE

ཉྙཱ

53

I stood at the cemetery gate, watching Olivia practically carrying Aria’s frail body. Her face looked hollow, cheekbones too sharp, eyes

sunken. This wasn’t my Aria. This was a ghost wearing her skin.

Without a word to Emma, I dropped her arm and strode forward.

I’ll take her from here,” I said, making it clear this wasn’t a request.

Olivia glared at me. “Aria needs proper care. She’s barely eaten anything in days. I think she should come to the Redwood house where-

“Her home isn’t at the Redwood house, I cut in. Her home is with me. She belongs with me.

Before I could reach for her, Aria spoke. Her voice was weak but determined.

“Olivia, I’ll go with him.”

Olivia tightened her grip. “Are you sure? Blake’s been threatening you with that contract for months. You don’t have to-

A bitter smile touched Aria’s pale lips. “My father is gone now. What more can he threaten me with?”

Her words hit me hard, but I swallowed it back. Not here. Not now.

Aria walked past me without taking my offered hand, moving toward the car on unsteady legs. As we pulled away, I caught Emma’s reflection in the mirror, her face twisted with anger and panic.

The drive back to the Hampton estate felt endless. Martha waited at the entrance, her eyes wide when she saw how thin Aria had become. The black dress hung loose on her frame. My fingers drummed the steering wheel. I was angry at whoever did this to her. Frustrated that I couldn’t help. Scared I might never get my Aria back.

Inside, I took off my jacket and saw the dining room lights on. Martha had made chicken soup, bread, and salad.

When Aria headed upstairs, I grabbed her wrist. “You need to eat first.”

She pulled away like I’d burned her. ‘Mr. Morgan, enjoy your dinner. I’m not hungry.”

Mr. Morgan? When did we go back to that?

“You’re eating. That’s final,” I said, blocking her path.

“I just buried my father. Her voice broke. “And you’re worried about dinner? Do you know how crazy that sounds?”

1/2

14:00 Mon, Jun 15

Chapter 96

I know what happened today. That’s why you need to cat. I kept my voice firm. “You haven’t eaten properly in five days.”

ន

She laughed bitterly. “Five days? You’ve been counting? How thoughtful, Mr. Morgan. Tell me, did you show the same concern when you

let Emma destroy my father?”

The words hit hard, but I didn’t back down. “We’re not talking while you’re starving yourself.

51

“Then we’re not talking at all.” Aria tried to push past me. ‘Get out of my way.”

I grabbed her shoulders, making her look at me. “You want to hate me? Fine. Blame me for everything? Go ahead. But you’re eating first.”

“Let go of me!” She pushed my chest weakly. “You can’t order me around anymore. The contract? That ended when they buried my father.

You have nothing left to hold over me.”

Her words were meant to hurt, and they did. But I saw past the anger to the grief underneath. “Aria-

“Don’t!” She cut me off, eyes blazing. “Don’t say my name like you care. Like any of this matters to you beyond your revenge.”

I gripped her shoulders tighter. “You think I don’t care? You think watching you waste away doesn’t affect me?”

“Why would it?” Aria’s laugh turned wild. “I’m just the housekeeper’s daughter, remember? The woman you wanted to punish. Well congratulations, Blake. You won. My father is dead. I have nothing left. You destroyed everything. Are you happy now?”

The pain in her voice nearly broke me, but I stayed strong. “Stop it.”

‘Stop what? Telling the truth?” Tears ran down her face. “You want me to eat? You want me to pretend everything’s fine? My father died

alone in a hospital while I was trapped in this prison!”

“That’s enough!” I pulled her against my chest, holding her struggling form. “You’re going to calm down, sit at that table, and eat. I don’t

care if I have to feed you myself.”

“I’d rather starve!” She fought my hold, but I was stronger. ‘Let me go! I hate you! Do you hear me? I hate-

Comments

3

Write Comments

<SHARE