The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Match Making

Aria pov

"Subtle?" He laughed. "You practically threw them at each other."

"And it worked." I turned in his arms, looking up at him. "They’re perfect for each other. She needs someone kind and he needs someone who sees him for who he really is. Not just the successful CEO."

His eyes searched mine. "And what about us? What do we need?"

"I don’t know yet," I whispered. "But I’m figuring it out."

"Take your time." His thumb traced my jawline. "I’m not going anywhere."

Noah’s voice called from his bedroom, breaking the moment. "Mama! Daddy! Come see my T-Rex roar!"

We pulled apart. Damien’s hand found mine as we walked.The three of us spent the next hour on Noah’s bedroom floor, making dinosaurs battle for control of the volcano. Damien’s expensive pants were covered in dust. My blouse had a chocolate stain. Noah was grinning so wide his face might split.

It was perfect. And as I watched Damien roar like a T-Rex, making Noah shriek with laughter, I thought about Thursday. About Olivia and Lucas. About the possibility of helping two good people find happiness together.

About the possibility that maybe, just maybe, I was learning to find my own happiness too.

"Mama?" Noah tugged my hand. "Can Daddy read me a bedtime story?"

"Of course he can." I looked at Damien. "If he wants to."

"I want to." His voice was rough. "More than anything."

We got him into pajamas, brushed the chocolate off his teeth. Tucked him into bed with his new T-Rex clutched in his arms. Damien settled on one side of the bed while I took the other.

And together, we read Noah his favorite dinosaur book. His eyes grew heavy, his breathing evened. By the last page, he was asleep.

We stayed there, neither of us moving, both watching him sleep.

"Thank you," Damien whispered. "For today, for all of this."

"He’s happy." I stroked Noah’s hair. "That’s all that matters."

"You made him happy." Damien reached across Noah, his hand finding mine. "You’ve given him everything. I’m just—catching up."

"You’re doing a good job."

"Am I?" His eyes searched mine. "Because sometimes I feel like I’m drowning, like I’ll never be enough to make up for"

"Stop." I squeezed his hand. "You can’t make up for the past. You can only build the future."

"I want to build it with you." The words hung between us. "Both of you, I want this" He gestured around. "to be every day, not just birthdays."

"Damien"

A sound came from the living room as we both froze.

"Did you lock the elevator?" I whispered.

"Yes." Damien stood slowly. "Stay here."

"Damien"

He was already moving toward the door, his whole body tense.I followed despite his instruction, my heart pounding. We stepped into the living room.

A man stood by the windows, surveying the party decorations with an amused smile. Tall, dark-haired, with a scar across his left cheek. He looked like Damien—if Damien had been broken and put back together wrong. Marcus.

"Brother." His voice was smooth, dangerous. "You didn’t invite family to the party? How rude."

Damien stepped in front of me. "How did you get in here?"

"I have my ways." Marcus turned, his cold eyes finding me. "Aria, my brother’s weakness"

"Get out." Damien’s voice was deadly calm. "Now."

"But I came all this way." Marcus moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "To meet my nephew I’d love to say hello and wish him a happy birthday ."

"You’re not going anywhere near him." I found my voice. "Security!"

"Won’t help." Marcus smiled. "I paid them very well to take a bathroom break."

Damien lunged. Marcus dodged easily, laughing. "Still so predictable, little brother, still so easy to manipulate." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"What do you want?" Damien blocked Marcus from moving toward Noah’s room.

"What do I want?" Marcus’s smile turned cruel. "Everything you have. Everything you took from me, starting with"

He moved fast, grabbing something from the coffee table. The photo. The family photo from earlier. Noah, Damien, and me, all smiling.

"this cute kid." Marcus studied the photo. "It would be a shame if he ended up like we did. Broken. Alone. Destroyed by the Blackwood legacy."

"Give me the photo." Damien’s voice shook with rage.

"Why?" Marcus pocketed it. "I think I’ll keep it as a reminder of what I’m going to take from you."

He moved toward the elevator, pressing the button.

Damien started forward, but I grabbed his arm. "Don’t, he wants you to attack him."

"Smart woman." Marcus stepped into the elevator. "I can see why you love her, brother. Too bad love makes you weak. Too bad it gives me all the leverage I need."

The doors started to close. "This isn’t over," Damien growled.

"Oh, I know." Marcus’s smile was pure evil. "It’s just beginning. Happy birthday, nephew. I’ll be seeing you once again."

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