Lahat ng Kabanata ng Regretful Heart: CEO's Tears Over Her Pregnancy: Kabanata 271 - Kabanata 280

Vienna’s POVI was about to snap, "That’s none of your damn business," at Ashley.The words were already on my tongue when I caught her expression—those wide, uncertain eyes that always looked like they were waiting for rejection. She’d been trying so hard lately. Showing up early, staying late. Doing everything she could to make up for the past.I exhaled, my tension draining a little. "Yeah," I said finally. "That was Warren. Oliver’s dad. I, uh… might’ve just destroyed whatever we had, or could’ve had… once and for all.""Oh," she said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "The way you say it makes it sound like you have regrets."I gave a humorless laugh, reaching for the tray of cooling muffins. "Maybe. I don’t know. Things are… complicated between us."Ashley nodded, her face open and patient, the opposite of the gossipy girl I used to know. Somehow, that made me talk. And once I started, I couldn’t stop.As we worked side by side—her kneading dough, me glazing pastr

Vienna’s POVI threw myself into my new project at the orphanage with everything I had. Designing and setting up a little bakery corner there filled every free hour I could find. Measuring countertops, sketching layouts, testing recipes—it all helped quiet the noise inside me. All the chaos, the anger, the heartbreak… it all faded when I focused on the children and this new purpose I’d found. It was exactly what I needed.At Petit Paris, Zoey became my eyes and ears while I was away. One afternoon, she caught me at the back door, lowering her voice."Vienna, just so you know—Ashley’s been good. Shows up early, helps the others, never complains. If she’s acting up, she’s hiding it really well."I nodded slowly. "Thanks, Zoey. Just… keep an eye out, alright? I’ve got cameras installed now too, just in case."She grinned. "You really don’t trust easily, do you?""Not anymore," I murmured.A few days later, when I stopped by the bakery to check in, Ashley was waiting by the counter, wrin

Vienna’s POVEdward’s request caught me off guard. "Oh…" I hesitated, rubbing my palms together. "Uh… Warren and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms right now."Edward’s brow furrowed, his tone softening. "I see. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just—" He took a deep breath. "—if Daniel’s heart is still beating out there somewhere, I’d like to meet the person who carries it.""I get that," I said carefully. "It’s just… a sensitive topic for him."Edward nodded thoughtfully. "But what if," he added, "somehow, part of Daniel’s personality has transferred too. It can’t be a coincidence you ended up falling in love with this man, right?"My throat suddenly felt dry. "I… Uh… I don’t know. Maybe not…""Maybe," he said gently, "you could just pass on his details? I can find him myself. I don’t even have to mention that I found out through you."I studied him for a moment—the familiar tilt of his head, the way he clasped his hands when nervous. It was so Daniel it almost hurt."Okay,

Vienna’s POVThe next morning, I woke up feeling like I hadn’t slept at all. My body was heavy, my mind fogged, my dreams a blur of faces I’d rather forget.I reached for my phone on the nightstand and blinked at the notification light.1 new message—unknown number. Attached photos."Probably spam," I muttered, tossing the phone aside. I didn’t have the energy to deal with scams or whatever fresh nonsense the internet had for me.After a quick shower and some light makeup to disguise the exhaustion under my eyes, I headed to Petit Paris. The smell of butter, coffee and vanilla wrapped around me the moment I walked in.Ashley was already in the kitchen, piping cream into éclairs. When our eyes met, she smiled cautiously. "Morning.""Morning," I said, keeping my tone neutral but not cold. The fragile truce between us was holding.The other staff noticed, too. Zoey joked, "Wow, it’s peaceful in here. I’m starting to miss the silent tension already." Everyone laughed—even me.It felt good

Vienna’s POVOver the next few days, Edward became a familiar presence at the orphanage. Every morning, he’d stroll in with that easy smile and roll up his sleeves like he belonged there."Need a hand, Chef?" he’d tease, already tying an apron around his waist before I could say no."Only if you promise not to burn anything this time," I’d shoot back, smirking as I handed him a whisk.He laughed softly. "Hey, those croissants were almost edible."The kids adored him—Oliver especially. I’d often catch them laughing together over some silly joke while spilling flour everywhere. Somehow, it was… nice. Comfortable, even. I began to see him as his own person. Edward, not Daniel’s ghost.He was witty, surprisingly thoughtful, and shared my obsession with Paris. One afternoon, he leaned against the table beside me."You know," he said, "Paris ruined any other city for me. The cafés, the chaos, the smell of fresh bread on every corner… That city is alive. Unlike any others."I smiled faintly