My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Aidan

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“Aidan Storm.” Wilson, a board member and perpetual critic approaches with his wife. “We didn’t know you were bringing a date.”

“Not a date.” I correct smoothly. “My Chief Strategy Officer. Wilson, Melissa, this is Lila Stark.”

Lila extends her hand. Perfect grip, Genevieve’s training evident. “A pleasure to meet you both.”

Melissa’s eyes are sharp, assessing. “Stark. That name sounds familiar.”

“I’m sure it does.” Lila’s smile doesn’t falter. “I recently joined Storm Industries. Before that, I was focused on…. other ventures.”

Other ventures. Translation: I was married to Mark Knight but we’re not going to talk about that.

Brilliant. Patricia would be proud.

“Well,” Wilson says, still studying Lila with obvious curiosity, “welcome to the team. Aidan doesn’t hire people lightly. You must be exceptional.”

“I’m learning to be,” Lila says. Honest. Humble. But not self-deprecating. “Mr. Storm is an excellent teacher.”

“Aidan, please,” I correct. “We’re not at the office.”

She glances at me. Something passes between us, understanding, partnership, something else I’m not ready

to name.

“Aidan,” she amends. Tests the name on her tongue like she’s tasting wine.

I want to hear her say it again. Preferably when we’re alone. Preferably when…

Stop. Focus.

We circulate. I introduce her to investors, competitors, allies. Each time, she’s perfect. Poised. Engaged but not eager. She asks intelligent questions. David’s financial training evident. She laughs at appropriate moments. She deflects personal questions with grace.

And I watch Mark Knight across the room, pretending not to watch us.

He’s seen her. Of course he has. The moment we walked in, his eyes found her like a heat-seeking missile. I watched his face cycle through confusion, recognition, shock.

Now he’s at the bar, champagne glass gripped too tight, talking to someone but clearly not listening. His eyes keep drifting back to Lila. To us.

Sienna has noticed too. She’s in a red dress, trying too hard, too much cleavage, too many diamonds. She looks expensive but cheap. Next to Lila’s understated elegance, she looks like a child playing dress-up.

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Chapter 25

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Sienna’s face is twisted with something between fury and panic. She keeps whispering to Mark, tugging his arm. He keeps brushing her off, staring at Lila.

Good. Let him stare. Let him realize exactly what he lost.

“You’re smiling.” Lila murmurs during a break between introductions. “It’s slightly terrifying.”

“I’m watching Mark Knight’s world tilt on its axis. It’s the best entertainment I’ve had in months.”

“Has he approached yet?”

“No. He’s too shocked. Give him another twenty minutes.”

We continue working the room. I introduce her to the Nakamura delegation, they’re impressed, I can tell. Hiroshi Nakamura actually bows slightly when we’re introduced, a sign of respect he doesn’t give lightly.

“Your presentation on sustainable technology integration was fascinating,” Lila tells him. I’d briefed her on his work in the car. She’d absorbed it all, asked follow-up questions, connected dots I hadn’t even considered. “The way you balanced profit margins with environmental impact, it’s the model more companies should follow.”

Nakamura’s eyes light up. “You are familiar with my work?”

“Aidan shared some of your research. I find it refreshing when business leaders think beyond quarterly earnings.”

We talk for ten minutes. Nakamura is charmed. His team is charmed. When we excuse ourselves, he touches

my arm.

“Your new CSO,” he says quietly. “She is very impressive. You have chosen well.”

“I know.” I glance at Lila, who’s accepting a champagne flute from a passing waiter. “She’s going to change everything.”

The ballroom lights dim slightly. A spotlight hits the stage at the far end.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the MC announces, “if we could have your attention, please. It’s time for this evening’s charitable donations.”

Ah. Here we go.

This is the part of the evening I’ve been waiting for. The part where the city’s elite compete to see who can throw the most money at a good cause while everyone watches.

It’s performative. It’s shallow. It’s also effective fundraising.

And tonight, I’m going to make a statement.

We move toward the stage area. Lila stays close to my side. I feel her tension return-this is more public, more visible. Everyone will be watching.

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Chapter 25

“What’s happening?” she whispers.

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“Donation announcements. They call out the major donors, we go on stage, shake hands with the charity director, get applause. It’s theater.”

“How much are you donating?”

“Enough to make a point.”

The MC starts reading names. $50,000. $100,000. Each donor walks onto the stage, accepts recognition, poses for photos. Polite applause.

Mark Knight is called. $250,000.

He walks onto the stage, Sienna clinging to his arm. They pose for photos. He makes a small speech about giving back to the community. The applause is enthusiastic-$250,000 is significant.

He returns to the crowd, looking smug. Sienna is beaming.

Then the MC reads the final name.

“And our highest donor this evening, $2 million from Aidan Storm and Storm Industries.”

The room goes silent for a beat. Then erupts.

I feel Lila’s hand tighten on my arm. “$2 million?” she breathes.

“Like I said. Making a point.” I guide her toward the stage. “Come with me.”

“What? No, I can’t

“You’re my CSO. This donation is from both of us. The company. Come.”

We walk onto the stage together. The spotlight is blinding but I’ve done this before. I shake hands with the charity director, accept the crystal award they always give major donors, turn to face the crowd.

Five hundred faces stare back. Some impressed. Some envious. Some, like Mark Knight, look like they’ve been punched in the stomach.

The MC hands me the microphone.

“Thank you,” I say. Short. Simple. “Storm Industries believes in investing in the future. This donation is just one small way we’re doing that. I’d also like to introduce someone who embodies that philosophy, Lila Stark, our new Chief Strategy Officer. Lila has joined our executive team and will be instrumental in shaping Storm Industries’ next chapter.”

I hand her the microphone. She looks at me, eyes wide, panicked.

I nod. You can do this.

She takes the microphone. Faces the crowd. For three seconds, she’s frozen.

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Chapter 25

Then she speaks.

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“Thank you, Aidan.” Her voice is clear, steady. Amplified across the ballroom. “And thank you to the Bellmont Foundation for the incredible work you do. Storm Industries is honored to support your mission. We believe that true success isn’t measured by profit margins alone, but by the positive impact we have on our communities.”

Simple. Gracious. Perfect.

The applause is thunderous.

We exit the stage. But as we descend the steps, the MC speaks again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, before we continue with dinner, Storm Industries has requested a brief moment to announce a major technological partnership.”

I feel Lila’s confusion. This wasn’t in the plan I told her.

“Trust me,” I murmur.

The lights dim further. A screen descends behind the stage-massive, high-definition. The Storm Industries logo appears.

I guide Lila back onto the stage. Stand at the podium.

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