The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Family Time

Aria pov

"Shut up." But my fingers hovered over the screen. I read his message again. Then saved it to my favorites folder before I could stop myself.

"You saved it." Olivia’s voice was smug. "You’re so gone for him."

"I am not"

"You are." She poked my shoulder. "And it’s cute. Terrifying, but cute."

I set my phone down, face-down so I couldn’t see if he texted again. My coffee had gone cold. I dumped it in the sink, the dark liquid swirling down the drain.

"I’m being practical," I said, rinsing the cup. The water ran hot over my hands. "He’s Noah’s father. We’re co-parenting. That’s all."

"Co-parents don’t save flirty texts."

"We’re not having this conversation." I dried my hands on a towel, the fabric rough against my palms.

"We absolutely are." But Olivia was laughing. "Fine. Back to party planning. How many pizzas for eighteen four-year-olds?"

"Too many." I pulled up a calculator on my phone. "Way too many."

That Evening

Noah burst through the door, his backpack flying as he launched himself at me. "Mama! Guess what!"

"What, baby?" I caught him, laughing.

"Daddy said I can invite everyone! Even Tommy who picks his nose!" He was vibrating with excitement. "It’s going to be the best birthday ever!"

"It definitely will be." Damien followed more slowly, his jacket slung over his shoulder, tie loosened. He looked tired but happy. "Sorry. He’s been talking non-stop since I picked him up."

"I can imagine." I set Noah down. "Go wash your hands. Dinner’s almost ready."

"What are we having?" Noah bounced toward the bathroom.

"Spaghetti!" I called after him.

"With meatballs?"

"With meatballs!"

His cheer echoed through the penthouse. Damien moved closer, his hand finding the small of my back. "You made dinner?"

"Olivia helped." I gestured to the kitchen where pasta was boiling. "Don’t get too excited, it’s just spaghetti."

"It’s perfect." His voice was soft. "This is perfect."

I looked up at him. "What is?"

"This." He gestured around. "Coming home to you and Noah. Dinner as a family. Birthday planning, all of it."

"Damien"

"I know." He cut me off gently. "I know we’re not there yet. That you’re still not sure. But Aria—this is what I want. Every day. For the rest of my life."

"You can’t know that"

"I can." His hand moved to cup my face. "Because I’ve lived without it and that was hell. This—even with all the uncertainty and fear and complications—this is heaven."

"You’re very dramatic."

"I’m very in love." He leaned closer. "And I’m very grateful you’re giving me this chance."

"I haven’t given you anything"

"You’re here." His thumb stroked my cheek. "You let me pick up our son. Let me help plan his party, you let me be part of this. That’s everything."

Noah came running back. "I’m clean! See?" He showed us his hands.

"Very clean." I forced myself to step back from Damien. "Go set the table."

"Can I use the special plates?" Noah asked hopefully.

"Birthday boy gets special plates every day this week," Damien declared.

"Damien"

"What? It’s practically a law."

Noah looked between us. "Is it really a law?"

"No." I shot Damien a look. "But yes, you can use the special plates."

"Yes!" Noah raced off.

"Stop spoiling him," I told Damien.

"Can’t help it." He grinned. "He’s got you wrapped around his finger. Both of us do."

"That’s not"

"It absolutely is." He moved to help with dinner. "And I love it."

We worked in comfortable silence, moving around each other with surprising ease. He drained pasta while I plated meatballs. I poured drinks while he grabbed napkins.

Like we’d been doing this for years instead of weeks.

"This feels normal," I said without thinking.

"It is normal." Damien set plates on the table. "Or it could be. If you’d let it."

"It’s not that simple"

"Mama! Daddy! Come eat!" Noah called from the dining room.

We joined him, settling into our usual spots. Noah between us, chattering about his day while we ate.

"And then Jessica said dinosaurs can’t fly but I said pterodactyls can and Miss Morgan said I was right!" He took a huge bite of meatballs. "So I was the smartest today."

"You’re the smartest every day." Damien ruffled his hair.

"I know." Noah nodded seriously. "But today was special."

I caught Damien’s eye across the table. He was smiling, his whole face soft with love as he watched our son. This was dangerous, this domesticity. This feeling of rightness. Because it made me want things I shouldn’t want. Made me hope for things I shouldn’t hope for, made me believe in impossible things.

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