All Chapters of THE CEO'S SECRET WIFE: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Giselle's POVPower. It's a strange thing. One minute you're at the mercy of your superiors and then you're the one who gets to be in charge.I've been helpless for too long—dumped, mocked, used as a pawn in someone else's game. Now I was walking into one of my father's companies, no longer the discount bride of another, but daughter of Lord Benjamin Von Howard himself—the rightful heir to his business empire.And I wasn't about to let the world remember otherwise.My heels hit the gleaming marble halls of Howard Enterprises, downtown glass spire skyscraper. The attendants swooped down on the line of precision, their presence heavy with fresh printed paper scent, coffee, and the subtle smell of expensive cologne.I had called ahead to the company beforehand that the heir to the Von Howard fortune was coming by, but what I had neglected to tell them was ever having given them my name.I wanted to see how they behaved in public.Above all, however, I wanted to know who was worth keeping

Giselle's POVThe moment I entered my office, I could feel the adrenaline pumping in my veins.It was all fresh again. I wasn't sitting around waiting for someone to inform me that I wasn't the one. I had a purpose—a purpose that I had fought for myself.I was home. And everyone was finally coming to accept that.My name had been called by all of the morning tabloids—how I'd lost Richard Dawson, wanna-be CEO and a man who thought he could yell at me like some poor old wife instead of the daughter of Lord Benjamin Von Howard.His melt-down had taken only seconds, and it'd been worth every second to watch the look on his face when he'd understood that I could quite possibly destroy his career.I'd never been anything more or less than Patrick Hilton's wife who'd been dumped.Now? I was Giselle Von Howard.And they would never, ever forget it.I sat behind my desk at the far end of my office, reading over reports, making marginal notations, double-checking that all was as it should be at

Patrick's POVThe drive home was a rage-filled, insane blur—of something else too, something I wasn't confronting. Giselle's words still lingered in my head, slicing and cutting like a knife. "Tell me something, Patrick. If the situation were reversed—if I were down on my knees, begging for your help—would you help me?" I gritted my teeth.That terrible doubt. That gap of vulnerability. She'd witnessed it. And in that moment, I understood I'd lostwhatever delusion of control I'd foolishly thought I'd possessed.I shut the car door and stalked towards the house, fists balled. It wasn't supposed to have gone like this. Giselle would have been weeping, missing me and yearning for her return to my side, but instead, I had knelt, had behaved like some lovesick fool. And she'd enjoyed every second of it."Sir?" The butler was in the doorway, but I pushed him aside. I needed no tact. I flung the door open, the air filled with the scent of fine furniture wax and flower candles my mother adored

Giselle's POVI climbed out of my car into a chilly morning, wrapping my coat around me. The hospital entrance was new, opening in wide panels as I approached it, and the antiseptic scent filled my nostrils right away. I could not help but be here today. I had intended to go see the doctor the moment that I had realized that I was pregnant. Even though I had not wished to admit that things were so, I knew that I needed to make sure that it was all right.My head was spinning as I made my way through the very bright halls. Was I ready for this?A child. A life in the balance, suspending in my hands. My hand unconsciously went to my stomach. Whatever had occurred, one thing was certain—I would never let this child feel unwanted. I approached the reception desk, blushing shyly at the nurse behind the desk."I have an appointment," I stated, providing my name.She nodded, striking the computer and facing me once more. "You can go on up to the third floor, ma'am. Dr. Langston will see you

Giselle's POVThe hospital was filled the smell of antiseptic, something I was already acquainted with. I sat on the exam table, my hands wrapped around the sides of it like a lifeline as the doctor prodded and poked my belly. My heart pounded excitedly and in fear, my mind racing at a mile per minute. I had been so passionate, so determined to keep my pregnancy a secret. Not out of shame, but because I wanted to be sure, I have the fortitude to fight this one alone."It's all good," Dr. Reynolds said to me, beaming and handing me a copy of my ultrasound. "The baby's coming along, and everything's all right on this scan. Just keep taking your vitamins and resting as much as you can." I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Doctor." "Fine. You'll need to return in a couple weeks for a checkup, but otherwise, you're good." I nodded, accepting the ultrasound photos from her. I stroked the photo of the tiny life within me. My baby. There was a whirlwind of emotions suffocating me—fear,