My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Lila

The balcony has become our space.

:

After long work days. After long meetings. After moments when the world feels so immense and overwhelming. We come to this our cozy space and let everything else fade into the past.

Tonight, is no different, except it is different.

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Aidan has been silent all throughout the evening. Not distant, never distant, just … contemplative silence. He has not left my hand since dinner and continues to study the features of my face as if trying to imprint those images deep within his own mind.

“You’ve been staring,” I say as I lean against the railing.

“No, I’m appreciating.”

“Is there really a difference?”

“Yes,” as he moves behind me to wrap his arms around my waist. “Staring is passive, appreciating is intentional. When I can stare at you and think about how fortunate I am, to be the luckiest man in the world.”

I grin and turn back to him. “You’ve been in one of those moods tonight…”

“An excellent mood, I might add.”

“The best kind of mood,” touching the side of his face with my finger as I trace the line of his jaw. “What are you thinking about?”

He’s quiet for a moment while we look down upon the city, all aglow with light beneath us, whilst the stars above attempt to push through the haze of light above.

“Lila Stark, you are the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known. You’re brilliant and brave and so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’ve survived things that would have destroyed most people. You’ve taken that survival and turned it into something beautiful. Something meaningful.”

He’s pulling something from his pocket. My heart is racing now.

“I don’t want to wait anymore,” he says. “Don’t want to pretend this is temporary. Don’t want to spend another day not knowing if you’ll be mine forever.”

The ring box appears. Navy velvet. He opens it.

The diamond catches the city lights. Simple. Elegant. Perfect.

“Oh my God,” I breathe.

“I know it’s fast. I know everyone will say we should wait. But when you know, you know. And I know.” He

10:25 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 78

“Lila.” My name is a prayer on his lips. “My Lila.”

“Yours,” I agree. “Always yours.”

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We move together. Slow and tender. His forehead pressed against mine. Our breaths mingling. Our hearts beating in sync.

This is what love feels like.

Not control. Not possession. Not someone taking pieces of me until there’s nothing left.

This is partnership. Equality. Two whole people choosing each other. Supporting each other. Loving each other.

“I love you,” he says again. “I love you. I love you.”

Each declaration is punctuated by movement. By touch. By the joining of our bodies in the most intimate way possible.

I feel the pressure building. The pleasure coiling tight in my core.

“Aidan…”

“I’ve got you.” His hand slides between us. Finds the place that makes me shatter. “Let go, love. I’ve got you.”

I come apart in his arms. Call his name. Dig my fingers into his shoulders and hold on while the world dissolves into sensation.

He follows moments later. Buries his face in my neck. Shudders. Whispers my name like a benediction.

We collapse together. Tangled and breathless and perfect.

He rolls to his side, pulls me against him. I can feel his heart racing against my back.

I hold up my hand. Watch the ring catch the dim light.

“We’re engaged,” I say wonderingly.

“We’re engaged.”

“I’m going to marry Aidan Storm.”

“And I’m going to marry Lila Stark.” He pauses. “Or will you take my name? We don’t have to decide now. Whatever you want.”

I think about it. Lila Storm. Lila Stark-Storm. Lila Stark.

“I want to keep my name,” I say slowly. “The foundation is under Stark. My career is built on Stark. It’s the name my mother gave me.”

“Then keep it.” He kisses my neck. “I don’t need you to take my name to know you’re mine.”

10:25 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 78

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