The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Their trip

Aria pov

"Come with me." Damien helped me stand. "I’ll drive carefully. We’ll be back before the doctors even notice you’re gone."

"That’s a terrible idea," I said.

"And yet you’re already putting on your shoes," he observed with a smile.

"Fine." I grabbed my jacket. "But if Olivia kills us for this, I’m blaming you."

The drive to the lake house took hours. Dawn was breaking as we pulled up to the secluded property, all glass and stone and surrounded by pine trees.

Richards met us at the door. "Ms. Monroe, you should be in the hospital."

"I’m fine." I pushed past him. "Where’s Noah?"

"Still sleeping. He was up late asking about you both." Richards looked at Damien. "Sir, we’ve had no issues. No suspicious activity. The property is secure."

"Good." Damien’s hand found the small of my back. "We just need to see him."

Noah’s room was painted in his favorite dinosaur theme—a concession from when this used to be Damien’s childhood refuge. Our son was curled up in the bed, stuffed T-Rex clutched to his chest, looking peaceful and safe.

"He’s okay," I whispered, tears pricking my eyes. "He’s really okay."

"Because of you." Damien pulled me close. "Because you kept him safe. Because you were brave enough to face Marcus instead of running."

"We kept him safe," I corrected. "Together."

We stood there for a long time, just watching Noah sleep. The simple act of seeing him breathe, seeing him safe, felt like the greatest gift in the world.

"Mama?" Noah’s sleepy voice made us both jump. "Daddy? You’re here!"

He scrambled out of bed and launched himself at us. I caught him despite the pain in my ribs, holding him tight.

"We’re here, baby." I kissed his messy hair. "We’re all here."

"Did you catch the bad man?" Noah pulled back to look at us. "Uncle Richards said you were catching a bad man who took your sister."

Damien and I exchanged glances, we had agreed to be honest with Noah in age-appropriate ways.

"Yes," Damien said, crouching to Noah’s level. "We caught him. And Aunt Vivian is safe now."

"Good." Noah hugged Damien fiercely. "’Cause family protects each other. Even when they’re mad at each other. Right, Mama?"

"Right, baby." My throat was tight. "Even when they’re mad at each other."

"So Aunty is coming to family dinner now?" Noah asked hopefully. "Since you saved her?"

I looked at Damien, who gave me a slight nod—your call.

"I don’t know yet," I said honestly. "Aunt Vivian and I need to talk first. But Noah? What you said is right. Family does protect each other. And that’s what we did."

"I’m proud of you." Noah said it so seriously, so matter-of-factly, that I nearly burst into tears. "You were really brave."

"Thank you, sweetheart." I hugged him again. "Now, do you want to make breakfast with Daddy while Mama rests her sore ribs?"

"You got hurt?" Noah’s eyes went wide.

"Just a little." I showed him the tape under my shirt. "But the doctors fixed it. I’m okay now."

"I’ll protect you." Noah grabbed his T-Rex. "Me and Rex will keep you safe."

"My heroes." I smiled, ruffling his hair. "What would I do without you?"

Later, while Noah and Damien made pancakes (more like Damien made pancakes while Noah helped by making a mess, I stood on the deck, looking out at the lake. The water was still, reflecting the sky, which was peaceful and quiet.

Everything in our lives hadn’t been for months."You should be resting." Olivia appeared beside me with coffee. "And before you ask—yes, I followed you from the hospital because someone needs to keep you from reopening those ribs."

"You’re the best friend ever," I said, accepting the coffee gratefully.

"I know." She leaned against the railing. "So. You saved your terrible sister. Declared your love for your reformed ex-husband. And survived being shot, what an eventful day."

"You could say that." I sipped the coffee. "Liv, am I crazy for wanting to forgive Vivian? For wanting to help Marcus get treatment instead of just throwing him in prison forever?"

"Probably." Olivia smiled slightly. "But it’s the kind of crazy that makes you you. The kind that rebuilt your life from nothing and gave Damien a second chance when he didn’t deserve it. The kind that makes Noah so confident that family protects each other even when they’re mad."

"I’m tired of being angry," I admitted. "Tired of revenge and hatred and all of it. I just want peace."

The hospital had called—Vivian was awake and asking for me. "You don’t have to do this now," Damien said as we drove back. "You just survived being shot, you are entitled to rest." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

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