The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Facing Marcus

Aria pov

"Non-negotiable," he said, echoing my words. "You want partnership? This is a partnership. You don’t get to protect me by keeping me away."

I studied his face—the determination, the fear, the absolute refusal to back down. "Okay," I said softly. "Together."

"Together," he agreed.

The rest of the day was a blur of preparation. The training room smelled like gun oil and sweat. The bulletproof vest pressed heavy against my ribs. FBI tactical briefings, weapons training (I refused a gun but accepted pepper spray and a panic button), memorizing the warehouse layout, running through scenarios.

By the time evening fell, I was exhausted and wired simultaneously.

"You should eat," Olivia said, appearing with takeout around 6 PM. "Can’t rescue your terrible sister on an empty stomach."

"How did you"

"Richards called me. Said you were doing something stupid and brave and might need medical support." She set down Chinese food. "So here I am. Ready to patch you up when this inevitably goes sideways."

The smell of Chinese food filled the room—normally I’d be hungry, but my stomach twisted. "Your confidence is overwhelming," I said dryly, but I hugged her.

"Aria, you don’t have to do this." Olivia’s voice was serious. "Vivian made her choices, you don’t owe her this."

"I know." I pulled back. "But I owe it to myself, to the person I want to be. I can’t preach about mercy and forgiveness and then abandon her when she actually needs me, knowing that was the one who put her in a position where she could be taken by Marcus.."

"Even if it means walking into a trap?"

"Especially then." I smiled slightly. "Besides, I have an FBI tactical team, Damien’s security forces, and the knowledge that Marcus wants to talk before he kills. That gives us an advantage."

"Or it gives him time to torture you," Olivia said bluntly. "But I know better than to argue with you when you’ve made up your mind. Just" Her voice cracked. "Just come back. Noah needs his mom and I need my best friend."

"I’ll come back," I promised. "I’m too stubborn to die."

"That’s the spirit." She squeezed my hand. "Now eat, you need strength for tonight."

At 10 PM, I stood in our bedroom, staring at my reflection. The bulletproof vest made me look bulkier, more imposing. Dark clothes, hair pulled back, no jewelry except for my engagement ring. I looked like I was going to war.

"You don’t have to do this." Damien appeared in the mirror behind me, his hands settling on my shoulders. "Say the word and we’ll find another way."

"There is no other way." I turned to face him. "Marcus wants me. If I don’t show, he kills Vivian. And even though she’s betrayed me more times than I can count, I’m not a person who lets people die when I can stop it."

"I know." He pulled me close. "It’s one of the things I love about you. Your compassion, your strength, your refusal to become bitter despite every reason to be. You’re" His voice cracked. "You’re everything good in my life, Aria. And the thought of you walking into danger"

"I’ll be careful," I promised. "And I’ll have a whole FBI team watching my back." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Still." He cupped my face. "If something happens—if Marcus tries to hurt you"

"Then you and Torres’s team will stop him." I covered his hands with mine. "But nothing is going to happen. We’re going to get Vivian out, arrest Marcus, and go home to our son. That’s the plan."

"Plans change." His eyes were haunted. "I’ve already lost you once, Aria. I can’t—if I lost you again, for real this time."

"You won’t." I kissed him gently. "I promise. I’m coming back to you."

"You better." He pulled me into a fierce embrace. "Because I’m not done proving myself to you. Not done showing you every day that I’m worthy of your love. I need decades for that, not days."

"Then I guess I’ll have to survive," I said against his chest. "Can’t leave you with unfinished business."

At 11:30 PM, we gathered in the tactical van three blocks from Pier 47. Agent Torres reviewed the plan one final time.

"Aria goes in alone at midnight. She’s wired—we’ll hear everything. Sniper teams are positioned on buildings surrounding the warehouse. Ground teams will move in at my signal." Torres looked at me. "Your job is to keep Marcus talking. The longer he talks, the more time we have to locate Vivian and plan our breach."

"Understood." I checked the wire hidden under my vest.

"And if he demands you remove the vest or wire?" Torres asked.

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