The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife

Chapter 190 2/3 The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife Chapter 190: Picnic Invitation Angela POV I stretched larily, surprised by how well I'd slept.

After Sean's visit yesterday, I'd expected to toss and turn all night, haunted by memories of our shared past. Instead, I'd fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.

1 padded across the cool floor toward the kitchen, tying my silk robs Highster around my waist.

The twins would be up soon, eager for breakfast and weekend actives. An I placed whole wheat bread into the imported toaster, the doorbell chimed unexpectedly.

Frowning slightly, I moved to the security pansel, tapping the screen activate the camera.

My breath caught when I saw who was standing in the hallway.

Christopher Blake's familiar figure appeared on the monitor, his posture relaxed as he waited patiently.

Thesitated for several seconds before pressing the unlock button.

"Christopher, what are you doing here?" I asked as I opened the door, unable to keep the surprise from my y voice.

He smiled that charming smile that had comfortedthrough countless difficult days. "What, haven't seenin a while and suddenly I'm not welcanymore?" "Of course not..." I stepped aside to let him in, watching as he smoothly slipped off his leather oxfords and put on the guest slippers by the door-a gesture so familiar it made my chest ache with a mixture of guilt and fondness.

"So," Christopher said, making himself comfortable in my living room "any plans for today with the kids? It's the weekend, after all. You should all be free, right?" "The weekend?" I blinked, momentarily confused. With the week's chaos, I'd completely lost track of time. Christopher chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Don't tellyou forgot it's Saturday? You're working too hard, Angela. You need to rest occasionally." An awkward silence fell between us. I hadn't seen Christopher since rejecting his proposal, since telling him his feelings were "annoying." The memory madewince internally. He'd been nothing but supportive ofand the children for years, and I'd been unnecessarily cruel in pushing him away.

"Though I wonder," Christopher brake the silence, his tone deliberately casual, 'now that we can't be a couple, can we at least still be friends?" "Of course," I replied quickly. "If you want, we can always be friends.

to? His question caughtoff guard.

"And if I say I don't want to?" His "What?" "What if I don't want to be your friend? Would you just treatlike a stranger then?" His gaze was intense, searching.

~Before I could formulate a response, he touched my shoulder lightly and laughed. I'm just teasing. Why so serious? Can't friends joke around?' 1/3 Chapter 190: Picnic Invitation 1 exhaled slowly, tension draining from my shoulders.

"So," he continued, "wild my friend Angela and her two adorable children like to joinfor a plenic in Central Park today? The weather's perfect." 1 hesitated, Thinking of Sean's parting words: Wait for me. He'd promised to contactafter handling his affairs, but who knew hlong that might take? Christopher noticed my hesitation. You have other plans?" "No, nothing that can't wait, I decided. If Seap needed me, he could fall. Thank you for still wanting to he friends, We'd love to join you." "What about Ethan and Aria? It's been a while since I've seen the little ones. Do they miss me?" 1 smiled, genuinely this time. "Why don't you ask them yourself in a bit?! They'll be thrilled to see you." details, As if on cue, the sound of small footsteps echoed down the hallway, torning sunlight filled the room as we discussed picnic d Christopher explaining he'd already had David prepare a tent and picnic basket at Sheep Meadow.

"By the way." I said, remembering something my father had mentioned, "I heard your father is trying to arrange smeetings for you? Potential matches?" Yex Christopher nodded. "Family wishes. They're introducingto ssuitable women." "Any promising candidates?" I asked lightly, ignoring the twinge in my chest. "Not yet, but I'm not in a rush. The right person will calong eventually." "Im happy for you," I said, meaning it despite the strange hollownes in my voice. "You'll find someone perfect for you. You deserve to be happy." Yes, Christopher agreed, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'll definitely find someone I love. Happiness is something you have to fight for, after all." Less than ten minutes into our drive, something strange happened. Aria, usually energetic and talkative during car rides, suddenly yawned widely.

"Mommy, Aria is sleepy... she mumbled, rubbing h her eyes with small fists.

"Little piggy, didn't you just wake up? How are you tired already?" I rased, but a hint of concern crept into my voice.

"Lethold her, Christopher offered, reaching across to take Aria from me. Almost simultaneously, Ethan's head drooped against my lap, his eyes fluttering closed.

"That's odd," I frowned, stroking Ethan's hair. "They don't usually fall asleep so quickly in the car." Christopher adjusted Aria in his arms as she went limp with sleep. Children often get drowsy in moving vehicles. It's perfectly normal." "But not Aria and Ethan," I insisted, a vague unease settling in my stomach. "They usually stay awake for much longer. This seems.. unusually sudden." "Sleep is good for them," Christopher replied smoothly. "By the tthey wake up, we'll be at our destination." 2/3 Chapter 190: Picnic Invitation Through the window, I noticed we weren't heading toward Central Park at all. The The city. "I thought we were going to Central Park? Why are we on highway?" car had merged onto the highway, heading out of My question hung in the air, unanswered, Christopher appeared to have dozed off himself, his eyes closed as he cradled Aria protectively.

David, Christopher's assistant, turned briefly from the driver's seats Wilson, you should use this blanket. It gets chilly on the highway." He passed back a luxurious cashmere throw, As I wrapped it around myself, a profound drowsiness began to wash over me.

My eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and I struggled to keep them open.

Was I really this tired? The world aroundbegan to blur, sounds becoming distant and miffled.

"Christopher?" I called weakly, but received no response.

My last conscious thought was that something was terribly wrong, Am darkness closed in, Xcaugh glimpse of Christopher's a eyes opening-clear, alert, entirely awake. "David," he said, his voice suddenly cold and d commanding.

Christopher took Ethan into his arms as well, both children now unconscious against his chest.

The last thing I felt before blackness claimedwas Christopher's m fingers gently brushing my cheek, the touch both tender and terrifying in its possession. I couldn't tell if what I was seeing was real or a dream.

As consciousness slipped away completely, one certainty remained-we weren't going to Central Park after all.

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