The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: The Bitch

Aria POV

"And now you think you’ve won everything." Vivian’s smile turned vicious. "The company, the revenge, even Damien. But you haven’t won, Aria. Not yet."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"It means you’re not the only one who can play games." She headed for the door. "I’ll take everything from you. Starting with Damien."

"He doesn’t want you."

"Are you sure?" She looked back. "Because four years ago, I had him. And I can have him again. Men like Damien don’t change, Aria, they just get better at lying."

She left before I could respond as I stood there, her words echoing in my head. Men like Damien don’t change.

Was she right? Was I fooling myself thinking he was different now?

My phone buzzed with a text from Damien. How did the meeting go? Are you okay?

I stared at the message, Vivian’s words still ringing in my ears.

Another text came through.

I’m here when you’re ready to talk. No pressure. Just want you to know I’m thinking about you.

And then a third message.

Noah wants to know if we can have movie night tonight. He’s requesting popcorn and "the funny bunny movie." Whatever that means.

Despite everything, I smiled. Maybe Vivian was wrong. Maybe Damien had changed or maybe I was just desperate to believe it.

I texted back. Meeting was brutal but necessary. Be home in an hour. Tell Noah the funny bunny movie is a yes.

His response was immediate.

I’m proud of you. Whatever happened, I’m proud of you for facing it.

I sat down, staring at my phone, feeling something crack open in my chest. He was proud of me. Not because I was successful or powerful or ruthless.

But because I’d faced my demons. Maybe that’s what I’d needed to hear all along.

That Evening

I walked into the penthouse exhausted, emotionally drained, ready to collapse.

"Mama!" Noah launched himself at me from the living room. "We’re gonna make popcorn! The kind with butter!"

I caught him, breathing in his little-boy scent. "Sounds perfect, baby."

Damien appeared from the hallway, concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I will be." I set Noah down. "Why don’t you go pick out the movie? Daddy and I need to talk for a minute."

"Okay!" Noah ran toward the TV, already chattering about bunnies.

Damien pulled me into his arms. "What happened?"

"I destroyed my parents." The words came out flat. "Took everything. Made them beg and sent them away broken."

"And how do you feel?"

"Empty." I pressed my face into his chest. "It should feel good, right? Justice served, revenge complete. But it just feels... empty."

"That’s because you’re not them." His hand stroked my hair. "You’re not cruel. You were protecting yourself, but it cost you to do it."

"Vivian showed up." I pulled back to look at him. "Said she’s going to take everything from me, starting with you."

His expression darkened. "She said that?"

"She thinks you haven’t changed. That you’ll go back to her eventually." I searched his face. "Will you? Go back to her?"

"Never." The word was fierce. "Aria, look at me. I’d rather die than come close to Vivian again. The thought of her makes me sick."

"She’s beautiful."

"She’s nothing compared to you." His hands framed my face. "You’re brilliant and strong and real. She’s just... shallow. I can’t believe I ever" He shuddered. "I must have been blind and drunk and stupid."

"I keep thinking about that day," I said quietly. My fingers twisted in the fabric of his shirt. "Our wedding reception. Walking in and seeing you with her."

Damien’s jaw tightened. His hands dropped from my face to my shoulders, steadying me. "Aria"

"When I wore that wedding dress, I remember looking at myself in the mirror that morning, thinking maybe things would be different after we were married. That maybe you’d finally see me."

"I’m so sorry."

"I wore perfume. Something floral, you always said you loved floral scent" I laughed, but it came out broken. "Stupid, right? Like perfume would make you notice me."

His grip tightened. "It wasn’t stupid, I was the stupid one."

I looked up at him. His blue eyes were dark with pain, his jaw clenched so hard I could see the muscle jumping.

"When I found you with her" I touched his chest, right over his heart. "I remember thinking that I wasn’t good enough, maybe I was the problem."

"You were always too good for me."

"weeks later, I went to your office" My hand curled into a fist against him. "I was terrified and pregnant and alone. And you laughed at me, called me a schemer trying to trap you."

Damien’s breath hitched. "I know."

"Do you?" My voice rose slightly. From the living room, I could hear Noah chatter as he searched for the movie. I lowered my voice to a harsh whisper. "Do you know what it’s like to be offered money for an abortion by the father of your child?"

"No." His voice cracked. "I don’t. But I think about it every day."

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