The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Official Announcement

Aria pov

"We’re going to make each other happy," I corrected. "Partners, remember?"

"Partners," he agreed. "Always."

That Evening

After picking up Noah from the house keeper’s house—where he’d spent the day learning to bake cookies and had been thoroughly spoiled—we settled into the penthouse for a quiet family evening.

"Mama, why do you look so happy?" Noah asked, his face covered in cookie crumbs.

"Because today was a good day, baby." I pulled him onto my lap carefully. "A really good day."

"Did you win?" He tilted his head, curious.

"Yeah, we won." Damien ruffled his hair. "The bad people can’t bother us anymore."

"Good." Noah nodded seriously. "Bad people should leave families alone. That’s what Mr. Peterson says."

"Mr. Peterson is very smart." I kissed the top of his head. "Just like you."

"Mama?" Noah looked up at me. "Do I have grandparents? Emma talks about her grandparents a lot."

My heart clenched. "You have" I paused, choosing my words carefully. "You have people who love you. Aunt Olivia and Uncle Lucas. Lots of people who chose to be your family."

"Chosen family is the best kind," Damien added, sitting beside us. "Because they love you for who you are, not because they have to."

"Oh." Noah considered this. "Then I have the best family ever."

"You really do," I agreed, feeling tears prick my eyes.

After we put Noah to bed—complete with his new favorite dinosaur book and elaborate bedtime negotiations—Damien and I stood in the doorway watching him sleep.

"He’s amazing," Damien said softly. "How did we make someone so perfect?"

"Luck." I leaned against him. "And maybe a little bit of us, minus all the trauma and damage."

"The best parts of us." He pulled me close. "Aria, I know today was hard. Facing your parents, having everything dragged out in court."

"It needed to happen." I turned in his arms. "And you know what? I don’t regret it. Not anymore. They showed exactly who they are—greedy, selfish people who see relationships as transactions. And the judge saw it too. Everyone saw it."

"You were incredible." His voice was fierce with pride. "The way you stood up to them, told the truth, refused to back down. Aria, I’ve never been more proud of anyone in my life."

"I learned from the best." I kissed him softly. "You taught me to fight for what matters. To protect the people I love. To choose courage over fear."

"We taught each other." He rested his forehead against mine. "And now we get to teach Noah. Show him what real love looks like. What a real family is."

"No more toxic people." I smiled against his lips. "No more drama. Just us, building our life together."

"Just us," he agreed. "Forever."

Few Weeks Later

I stood in front of the mirror in my office, adjusting my blazer for the third time. Navy blue, tailored perfectly, paired with a white silk blouse and heels that made me feel powerful. Today was the final official announcement of the Monroe Global and Blackwood Enterprises merger, and I needed to look like the co-CEO I was about to become.

"You look beautiful." Olivia appeared in the doorway, holding two cups of coffee. "And terrifying. The perfect combination for a power move."

"I’m nervous." I took the coffee gratefully. "What if the board pushes back? What if investors think it’s a bad idea? What if."

"What if you stop catastrophizing and remember that you’re brilliant at what you do?" Olivia cut me off gently. "Aria, this merger makes perfect sense. Monroe Global’s tech innovations combined with Blackwood’s infrastructure and resources? It’s a billion-dollar synergy. Anyone with a brain can see that."

"Anyone except the old-guard board members who think women shouldn’t run companies, let alone co-run them with their fiancés." I sipped my coffee, letting the warmth calm me. "Sterling tried to block it last week. Said it was ’inappropriate’ for engaged couples to share CEO duties." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"And what did you say?" Olivia grinned, already knowing.

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