The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir

Aria pov

"He was here?" She pulled back, eyes wide. "What did he say?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"That you’re incredible and brilliant and make him want to be better." I grinned at her blush. "And that he’s never felt this way about anyone. Liv, he’s serious about you."

"I know." She sank into a chair, looking dazed. "Aria, I’m serious about him too. Like, terrifyingly serious. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks and I" She stopped. "I think I’m falling in love with him."

"Think?" I raised an eyebrow. "Olivia, you’re in love with Lucas Hayes. Don’t even try to deny it, it is no longer a crush as you once said or even casual likeness."

"Fine." She threw up her hands. "I’m in love with him! Happy? I’m completely, ridiculously, head-over-heels in love with Lucas Hayes and it’s terrifying because what if I screw it up or he realizes I’m not as great as he thinks or."

"Breathe." I sat across from her. "Liv, he thinks you’re perfect. You think he’s perfect. You make each other happy. What’s there to screw up?"

"Everything!" She groaned. "I’ve never felt like this about anyone, Aria. It’s like—like he sees all of me and loves me anyway. The messy parts, the broken parts, the parts I usually hide. And I" Her voice cracked. "I don’t want to lose this, I don’t want to lose him."

"You won’t." I took her hands. "Liv, Lucas is one of the good ones. He’s kind and loyal and he clearly adores you. Just—let yourself be happy. Stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and just enjoy it."

"That’s rich coming from you." She laughed through tears. "Miss ’I’m scared to be happy with Damien.’"

"I’m working on it." I smiled. "We both are. And Liv, seeing you this happy, this in love—it gives me hope. That we can all find our person and build something real."

"He makes me laugh." She wiped her eyes. "Like, real laughs. The kind that make my stomach hurt. And he listens when I talk about work, actually listens instead of just waiting for his turn to speak. And" She blushed. "The sex is incredible."

"Olivia!" I laughed. "Too much information!"

"You asked!" She grinned. "But seriously, Aria. I’m happy. Really, truly happy. And I" She paused. "I think he might propose soon."

"What makes you say that?" I tried to keep my face neutral.

"He’s been acting weird. Nervous. And he asked me about my ring size last week, super casually, but I’m not an idiot." She looked at me suspiciously. "Do you know something?"

"Maybe." I couldn’t help but smile. "But if I do, I’m not telling. Some surprises should stay surprises."

"Aria!" She threw a pillow at me. "Tell me!"

"Nope." I caught the pillow. "But Liv? Whatever happens, whatever he asks—just follow your heart. You deserve to be happy."

"So do you." She reached over to squeeze my hand. "And I’m glad you are. With Damien, you two are finally getting it right."

"We’re trying." I smiled. "Taking it slow, dating properly, building something real instead of rushing."

"Good." She settled back. "You both deserve that. And Aria? I’m really glad Lucas talked to you. I hated keeping it from you, but he wanted to make sure you were okay with it first."

"Because he’s a good guy who respects our friendship." I nodded. "And Liv, for the record—I’m more than okay with it. I’m thrilled. You two are perfect together, remember even the first time you told me about how you liked him, I supported you and even tried to bring you guys together during Noah birthday."

"Yeah?" She smiled, all soft and hopeful.

"Yeah." I smiled back. "And when he proposes—because he definitely will—you better call me immediately after saying yes."

"How do you know I’ll say yes?" she asked with mock offense.

"Because you’re in love with him and he’s in love with you and you’re both too smart to let that go." I stood. "Now get out of here. You have a meeting to get back to and I have merger documents to review."

"Fine." She hugged me at the door. "But Aria? Thank you. For being happy for me. For not making it weird. For—for being you."

"Always." I hugged her back. "That’s what best friends are for."

After she left, I returned to my desk with a smile. Lucas and Olivia. It made perfect sense, really. They were both brilliant, both fiercely loyal, both hiding soft hearts under sharp exteriors.

My phone buzzed.

Damien: Lunch? There’s a new sushi place I want to try.

Me: It’s 10 AM.

Damien: I’m planning ahead. Also, I miss you.

Me: You saw me this morning.

Damien: Still miss you. Is that a yes to lunch?

Me: no, am a bit busy

Damien: Okay love, I will come pick you up when you are done for the day.

Me: okay

I set down my phone, heart full. Lucas had found his person. Olivia had found hers. And I—I’d found mine again, rebuilt what was broken into something stronger. Everything was finally falling into place.

That Evening

I was reviewing contracts when my phone rang. Lucas, again. "Did you forget something?" I answered, smiling.

"Actually, yes." He sounded breathless, excited. "I just proposed to Olivia."

"What?!" I sat up straight. "Now? I thought you said this weekend!"

"I couldn’t wait." He laughed. "We were having dinner and she was talking about this case she’s working on and she was so passionate and brilliant and I just—I pulled out the ring and asked her to marry me right there in the middle of the restaurant."

"And?" I was on the edge of my seat.

"She screamed yes so loud everyone in the restaurant applauded." His voice was thick with emotion. "Aria, she said yes. She’s going to marry me."

"Lucas, that’s amazing!" Tears filled my eyes. "I’m so happy for you both!"

"I know it’s fast." His words tumbled over each other. "I know people will think we’re crazy, that we should wait, but"

"But when you know, you know," I finished. "And Lucas, you know. You both do. So don’t let anyone tell you it’s too fast or too soon. Just be happy."

"I am." He laughed again. "I’m so happy I can barely breathe. And Aria, thank you. For your blessing, for understanding, for—for being a good friend. To both of us."

"Always." I smiled through tears. "Now go celebrate with your fiancée. And tell Liv to call me!"

"Will do. And Aria? He better treat you like the queen you are, or I’ll destroy him."

I laughed, recognizing the echo of Olivia’s earlier threat. "He does. He really does."

"Good. You deserve it."

After we hung up, I sat there for a moment, processing. Lucas and Olivia, engaged. Building their own future, their own love story.

It was perfect. My phone rang again—Olivia this time, screaming into the phone about proposals and rings and how she couldn’t believe this was her life.

And as I listened to my best friend babble about her happiness, I felt my own happiness swell.

We were all finally getting our happy endings.

The real kind.

The earned kind.

The kind built on honesty and vulnerability and choosing each other every single day.

And it was absolutely perfect.

After Olivia finally hung up, still laughing and crying at the same time, I set my phone down and leaned back in my chair. My best friend was engaged. Lucas had found his person. They were both so happy.

I looked at the clock. Almost nine at night. I should go home. Noah would be asleep by now, and the housekeeper had probably fallen asleep on the couch watching her drama shows again.

But I didn’t move. Just sat there, thinking. A knock on my door made me look up. Damien stood in the doorway, tie loosened, jacket slung over his arm. He looked tired but somehow still put together.

"Working late?" he asked.

"Just finishing up," I said. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you I would come pick you up." He came in and closed the door behind him. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," I said, standing up. "Lucas proposed to Olivia tonight."

Damien stopped mid-step, his eyebrows shooting up. "Wait, what? Lucas and Olivia? How come I didn’t know about this? What did I miss?"

I laughed at his confused expression. "They’ve been dating for weeks. But Lucas only told me today."

"Weeks?" Damien set his jacket on the chair, shaking his head with a smile. "And here I thought I kept up with everything."

"Apparently not everything." I walked around my desk toward him. "They wanted to keep it quiet at first."

"Well." His smile widened. "Finally. After all your matchmaking, they found their way to each other."

"I didn’t matchmake," I protested.

"Please." He gave me a look.

"Maybe a little," I admitted. "But they did the rest themselves."

"He couldn’t wait."He set his jacket on the chair.

I moved closer to him. "When you know, you know. Right?"

"Right." His eyes tracked my movement, darkening slightly. "Aria, what are you?"