The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Later That Night

Aria’s POV

I’d just tucked Noah into bed when Damien appeared in the doorway.

"Can we talk?" He looked nervous. "About the party?"

"Sure." I followed him to the living room. "What about it?"

He pulled out a notebook—actual paper, covered in his neat handwriting. "I made a list of everything we need to do. And I wanted to run it by you."

I took the notebook, scanning his notes. Party favors. Games. Safety considerations. Backup plans for rain, dietary restrictions for guests.

"You made a spreadsheet."

"I made several spreadsheets." He pulled out his tablet. "Color-coded with timelines."

"Damien." I looked up at him. "It’s a four-year-old’s birthday party."

"It’s our son’s first birthday and I get to attend." His voice cracked. "I want it to be perfect."

My chest tightened. "It will be perfect because we’ll be there. Both of us, Thats what matters."

"But what if"

"No what-ifs." I set down the notebook on the coffee table. The leather cover was expensive, embossed with his initials. "We’ll plan, we’ll prepare, but we’ll also let it be messy and chaotic and fun. Because that’s what kids need."

"Messy and chaotic." He said it like it was a foreign language.

"And fun." I smiled. "You remember fun, right? That thing you used to have before you became CEO of everything?"

"Vaguely." His mouth twitched. "Maybe you could remind me."

"Maybe I could." I stood, moving closer. The carpet was soft under my bare feet. I’d kicked off my shoes after dinner and hadn’t put them back on. "Starting with relaxing about this party. Noah will love it no matter what because you’ll be there."

"You really think so?"

"I know so." I touched his face, his jaw was rough with stubble, scratchy against my palm. He must not have shaved this morning. "You’re his hero, Damien. Twelve-foot dinosaurs can’t compete with that."

He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. His lips were warm. I could feel his breath against my skin. "You’re going to make me cry."

"Don’t." I laughed softly. "I’ve seen enough Blackwood tears for one night."

"Too late." He pulled me into his arms. His cologne surrounded me—that expensive woodsy smell mixed with something else, maybe his laundry detergent or just him."You’re stuck with my emotions now."

"I’m not stuck with anything"

"Liar." He held me closer, i could feel his heart beating against my cheek. Steady and strong. "You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not."

"What if I don’t like it?"

"Then I’ll work harder." His breath was warm against my ear as it made goosebumps rise on my arms. "Until you do."

"You’re impossible."

"I’m determined." He pulled back to look at me, his blue eyes were darker in the low light. "There’s a difference."

We stood there, wrapped in each other. The apartment was quiet. I could hear the faint hum of the refrigerator from the kitchen.

"Aria?" His voice was soft. "Can I ask you something?"

"Birthday traditions, annual celebrations, decades of memories" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

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