The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Olivia Advice

Aria pov

"You are terrified." Olivia nodded. "I get it. But Aria, you can’t live in fear forever. At some point, you have to decide whether you’re going to let the past control your future or whether you’re going to be brave enough to risk your heart again."

"I hate when you’re right."

She grabbed her coat from the back of the chair. The fabric made a soft rustling sound. I could smell her perfume—something light and clean that reminded me of the hospital where we’d first met years ago. "Get used to it." She stood, stretching. "Now, I have rounds at the hospital, but tonight we’re having wine and you’re telling me everything. Including whether you two finally had sex again."

"Olivia!"

"What? I’m invested in this story now!" She laughed. "Plus, you two have enough chemistry to set off smoke alarms. It’s inevitable."

After she left, I sat alone with my thoughts and my rapidly cooling coffee. The photos were still all over my phone—evidence of feelings I’d been trying to suppress.

My phone rang, it was an unknown number.The ringtone cut through the quiet apartment. My chest tightened as I stared at the screen, watching it light up and go dark with each ring. The numbers glowed white against black. My thumb hovered over the answer button. Something cold settled in my stomach. I almost didn’t answer because it was mostly Marcus who called with unknown numbers but something made me pick up.

"Hello?"

"Aria Monroe." A woman’s voice, cold and sharp. "Or should I say Aria Blackwood? Since you’re crawling back to that title."

"Who is this?"

Sophia Clarke." Of course. "I saw the pictures from last night, you look very cozy with my ex."

"Damien and I"

"Are making a huge mistake."

I stood up and walked to the window. The glass was cool when I pressed my forehead against it. Outside, cars moved through the streets below. Their horns were faint from up here. My reflection stared back at me—dark eyes, tense jaw. I looked tired. The phone felt heavy in my hand, and I could hear Sophia breathing on the other end, waiting.

Her voice hardened. "He’s using you, Aria. Just like he used me. Just like he uses everyone and when he’s done, he’ll throw you away again."

"Is there a point to this call?" I kept my voice steady.

"The point is that you should know better." Sophia laughed bitterly. "He destroyed you once, left you pregnant and alone and now you’re stupid enough to believe he’s changed? Men like Damien Blackwood don’t change, they just get better at lying."

I laughed hollowly, after all her pretense of trying to help she finally shows her true colors. "Are you done?"

"I’m trying to help you." But her voice said otherwise. "Save yourself the heartbreak, take your son and your company and run. Before he ruins you again."

"Thank you for your concern." My voice was cold. "But I can handle my own life."

"Can you?" She paused. "Because from where I’m sitting, you look like a desperate woman trying to create a fantasy family with a man who will never love anyone but himself."

"Goodbye, Sophia." I ended the call, hands shaking.

But her words echoed. Men like Damien don’t change.

Did they? Could they?

"Mama?" Noah’s voice pulled me from dark thoughts. "Can we call Daddy? I wanna tell him about my dinosaur fort."

"Sure, baby." I forced a smile. "Let’s call Daddy."

I dialed Damien’s number, putting it on speaker as Noah climbed onto my lap. His hair was still messy from sleep, sticking up in the back. I smoothed it down without thinking. The phone rang once, twice. Noah bounced his legs against mine, humming to himself. He answered on the third ring.

"Aria, is everything okay?"

"Noah wants to talk to you." I handed the phone to our son.

"Daddy! I built the biggest fort ever! With towers and a volcano and everything!"

"That sounds amazing, buddy." Damien’s voice was warm. "Can you show me when I get home tonight?"

"You’re coming home?" Noah’s face lit up.

"Of course. I live there now, remember?" A pause. "With you and Mama."

"Yeah!" Noah bounced excitedly. "And Daddy? Mama was looking at pictures of you guys dancing, she smiled really big."

"Noah!" I tried to grab the phone.

"Did she?" Damien’s voice held laughter. "That’s good to know."

"Uh-huh and Dora says you guys are in love and Mr. Peterson says"

"Okay, that’s enough sharing Mama’s business." I took back the phone. "Say goodbye to Daddy."

"Bye, Daddy! Love you!"

"Love you too, Noah." Damien waited until Noah ran off, then: "So. You were smiling at pictures of us?"

"Noah exaggerates." But I was smiling again.

"He’s four, he doesn’t know how to lie yet." His voice dropped lower. "Aria, about those pictures" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"I know." I cut him off. "The whole city thinks we’re back together."

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