The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 94

Chapter 94: Chapter 94:

Aria pov

By the time dessert arrived, I could barely focus on the conversation. The chocolate cake sat untouched on my plate—dark and dense, the smell of it mixing with coffee and perfume made my head swim.

"You want to leave, don’t you?" Lucas said suddenly, his voice quiet under the noise of the room.

I looked up, startled. "What?"

"You’ve been checking your phone all night." He smiled sadly, the expression making the corners of his eyes crinkle. "And I’m guessing it’s not me you’re texting."

"Lucas" My throat felt tight.

"It’s okay." He touched my hand. "I knew this was a long shot, and you’re still in love with him. You’ve made that clear." His smile turned gentle, understanding. "And he’s clearly losing his mind without you. So go, before he shows up here and makes a scene."

"He wouldn’t"

My phone rang, the vibration loud against the table. Damien’s name flashing on the screen as Lucas laughed. "Answer it. I’ll make excuses to our tablemates."

I stepped away, my heels clicking on marble as I found a quiet corner. The music was muffled here, just the bass thumping through the walls as I pressed the phone to my ear.

"What?"

"Come home." Damien’s voice was raw, like he’d been shouting or crying or both. "Please, I can’t take this anymore."

"You can’t take what?" But my heart was already racing. I could feel my pulse in my throat.

"Imagining you with him." The words came out strangled. "Wondering if he’s touching you, if you’re laughing at his jokes. If you’re" He made a choked sound, like something was being ripped out of him. "Please, just come home."

"It’s barely nine." My free hand pressed against the wall.

"I don’t care." Desperation bled through every word. I could hear him breathing hard. "I’ll send the car or I can come get you myself. Whatever you need, just come home."

"Damien"

"I’m begging you." His voice broke. "I’m on my knees. Please."

Something in my chest cracked wide open. I felt it like a physical thing. "Send the car," I said quietly, my voice shaking. "I’ll be waiting outside."

"Thank you." Relief flooded his tone. "Thank you. I’m sending it now."

I hung up, the phone screen going dark. My reflection stared back at me for a second before I shoved it in my clutch. When I returned to the table, Lucas was already standing.

"Going to him?" he asked.

"I’m sorry." And I meant it. "You’ve been nothing but kind—"

"And he’s the one you love." Lucas stood, kissing my cheek. His lips were warm but left no mark. "Go. But Aria? Make him work for it."

"I will," I promised.

***********

Twenty minutes later, I was in Damien’s car. The leather seat was cool beneath my thighs as the city lights blurred past the window. My heart raced with every mile, pounding against my ribs. My palms were sweating—I wiped them on my dress, the silk slippery under my damp hands.

What was I doing? Why was I giving in so easily?

But I knew the answer. Because despite everything—the betrayal, the pain, the years of suffering—I still wanted him. Still needed him. Still loved him, even though I wasn’t ready to admit it.

The car pulled up to the penthouse. I stepped out, the night air cold after the warm car, raising goosebumps on my bare arms. My hands were shaking as I smoothed down my dress.

The elevator ride felt endless. The walls were mirrored—I watched myself rise floor after floor. When the doors opened, Damien was waiting.

He looked wrecked. Hair disheveled like he’d been running his hands through it for hours. Still in his clothes from earlier but rumpled—shirt untucked, sleeves rolled up. Eyes wild and red-rimmed.

"You came back." He stared at me like I might disappear, like I was a mirage. "You actually came back."

"You asked me to."

"I thought" He swallowed hard, his throat moving. "I thought you’d stay, that you might choose him."

"I thought about it." I stepped out of the elevator. "He’s nice."

"And?" His voice was barely a whisper.

"And I didn’t want safe." I moved closer, close enough to smell his cologne, to feel the heat coming off him. "I wanted to come home."

My eyes flashed with amusement. "Would that bother you?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

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