My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Aidan

The car pulls up to The Ritz. The doorman is already approaching.

This is where I should let her go. Wish her goodnight. Maintain professional distance.

Instead, I hear myself say, “I’ll walk you up.”

Her eyes widen. “You don’t have to…”

“I know.” I open the door before she can argue. Before I can change my mind.

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The lobby is quiet at this hour. Just the night staff, a few guests coming and going. We take the elevator in silence. Watch the numbers climb.

Her floor. The doors open.

I follow her down the hallway. She pulls out her key card, but her hands are shaking slightly. Adrenaline crash, probably. The evening catching up to her.

“Here.” I take the card gently. Open the door. “Get some rest. Tomorrow’s meeting is at eleven. I’ll send a car at ten-thirty.”

“Okay.” She steps into the suite, then turns back. We’re close now. Too close. I can smell her perfume again. See the gold flecks in her amber eyes. Count her heartbeat in the pulse at her throat.

“Aidan…”

“Lila…”

We speak at the same time. Stop. The air between us is charged. Dangerous.

“You first,” I say.

“I just…” She looks down, then back up. “Thank you. For tonight. For protecting me from the press. For making me feel like I mattered. For…” Her voice cracks slightly. “For seeing me. Really seeing me. No one’s done that in a very long time.”

The words hit harder than they should. Lodge somewhere in my chest and refuse to dislodge.

“Lila.” I step closer. My hand lifts, I wanted to touch her face, cup her jaw, tell her that she’s all I’ve been able to see for days now.

Stop.

I let my hand drop. Step back. Put distance between us before I do something we’ll both regret.

“You made it easy to see you,” I say instead. “Tonight, you shined. Get some rest. We have a lot to discuss

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Chapter 30

tomorrow.”

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I turn to leave.

“Aidan?”

I stop and turn but she says nothing.

“Goodnight, Lila,” I say.

“Goodnight.”

I walk away. Force myself not to look back. Take the elevator down to the lobby, get back in the car.

“Home, sir?” the driver asks.

“Yes.”

The Bentley pulls away from The Ritz. I watch the building disappear in the side mirror. Imagine Lila upstairs, taking off those diamonds, unzipping that champagne dress, washing off the war paint.

My phone buzzes. Text from Marcus:

Press statement is drafted. Shall I send?

I pull up the document. Read it. It’s perfect, firmly establishing boundaries around Lila’s personal life while still maintaining intrigue about our professional relationship.

I approve it. Hit send.

Another text comes through. This one from Nakamura:

Mr. Storm. I have reconsidered your proposal. Let us meet Monday to discuss terms. Your Ms. Stark is quite impressive.

I smile. Read the message again. Your Ms. Stark.

Not my employee. Not my CSO. Mine.

Everyone sees it. The way I look at her. The way I touch her. The way I can’t seem to let her go even though every rational part of my brain is screaming that this is a complication I don’t need.

I type back: Monday works. She is impressive, isn’t she?

The car turns onto my street. My penthouse building rises ahead, forty floors, entire top floor mine. Space enough for ten people. Empty for me.

I think about Lila in her hotel suite. Also alone. Also in too much space for one person.

I think about how she felt pressed against me during that waltz. How her hand trembled when she touched my arm. How her eyes darkened when I smiled at her.

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Chapter 30

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I think about how she looked at me after she destroyed Mark Knight with three words. Like I was responsible for her victory. Like I was someone worth admiring.

This is a problem.

I’m supposed to be using her. She’s a weapon. A means to an end. The perfect tool to destroy Mark Knight and avenge my father.

But somewhere between The Peninsula and tonight, between watching her transform and watching her shine, between teaching her to be powerful and watching her become magnificent…

Somewhere in there, she stopped being a tool and became a person I can’t stop thinking about.

A woman I want to protect and challenge and claim and…

Stop.

I get out of the car. Take the private elevator to the penthouse. The doors open directly into my living room- floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist furniture, art I paid someone to select because I don’t have time for that.

It’s beautiful. It’s expensive. It’s empty.

I pour myself a scotch. Stand at the windows. Look out at the city.

Somewhere out there, Mark Knight is probably fighting with Sienna. Realizing what he lost. Understanding that the forgettable wife he discarded is now the weapon that’s going to destroy him.

I should feel triumphant. Should be celebrating tonight’s victory.

Instead, all I can think about is the way Lila looked at me on that dance floor.

Like I was more than a CEO. More than a revenge plot. More than the cold, calculating bastard everyone thinks I am.

Like I was just a man. A man she might be starting to see as something other than her boss.

My phone buzzes. I look down.

Text from Lila: I can’t sleep. Keep replaying tonight. Is it always like this? The adrenaline? The high?

I stare at the message. Should I respond? Should I maintain distance? Should I-

I’m typing before I can stop myself:

First time is always the most intense. You get used to it. Eventually.

Three dots appear immediately.

Did you? Get used to it?

I look out at the city. Think about the question.

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Chapter 30

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No, I type honestly. Every victory still feels like the first one. Every battle still gets my heart racing. You never really get used to it. You just get better at hiding it.

You hide it very well.

Years of practice.

A pause. Then:

For what it’s worth. I’m glad you don’t hide everything. The way you smiled at me tonight. After I talked to Mark. That was real.

My chest tightens. I finish my scotch in one burning swallow.

It was, I type. Delete it. Type: Get some rest. Big day tomorrow. Delete that too.

Finally settle on: You should sleep. Tomorrow we discuss your future. You’ll want to be sharp for those negotiations.

Are we negotiating?

We’re always negotiating. That’s how business works.

I thought we were partners.

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