All Chapters of CEO's Regret - Losing Valentina: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

87 Chapters

Chapter 70 - Like Father, Like Son Part 2

ValentinaTwo Years Ago – Friday 6th March 2024 - En Route to JFK AirportThen… I heard him laugh. Not with humour. With contempt. "Lady?" His voice dripped disdain. "Please let’s not kid ourselves. You're nothing more than a glorified whore. Trailer park trash. A bastard to boot.” He let that sit there before turning the screw. "Women like you are a dime a dozen.”My grip tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned white. I'd never struck another human being. But at that moment...I wanted to. Badly.He continued before I could answer. "I became concerned when Nash deviated from his usual arrangements. He'd never offered anyone a weekend contract before. So I wondered if perhaps you were different." He gave a humourless chuckle. "Then I discovered he kept his Monday and Wednesday girls. And that told me what you were…” I could almost feel his sneering condescension. “…Nothing special after all."The words landed like another knife in an already bleeding heart. A tiny, involu

Chapter 71 - Forgetting their Table Manners Part 1

EthanSunday 8th February 2026 - Bennett ResidenceRhys was fed, bathed and tucked into bed with his cuddly toy by the time we all gathered for dinner. The little man was obviously knackered.The house had settled into that comfortable Sunday evening rhythm. Soft music drifted from the kitchen while my mom plated dinner.Livvy had called earlier. "The edits ran late, but they're incredible. Matteo is buying me dinner, so don't wait up."Which meant one thing. Valentina and I could have our first evening together without my little sister poking her nose in. I gave a satisfied smirk.Valentina appeared at the dining room doorway wearing soft cream lounge pants and an oversized pale-blue sweater, her damp burgundy curls loose around her shoulders.My heart stumbled.She caught me looking and instantly blushed. God...She was beautiful without even trying.I stood automatically, pulling out the chair beside mine. "For you, Miss Rossi."She rolled her eyes, smiling. "Ever the gentleman Mr B

Chapter 72 - Forgetting their Table Manners Part 2

Ethan Sunday 8th February 2026 - Bennett Residence "Well I am not the only one that is going to be famous." Valentina piped up mischieviously, grinning at me. "Ethan ended up modelling too," Mom's eyebrows shot upward. Dad put down his cutlery. "You did?" I shrugged. "Occupational hazard of being too handsome to just practise law." The whole table laughed. "So all of Manhatten and 5th Avenue are going to see my two babies looking gorgeous..." mom said puffing with pride. Before I could answer, I leaned toward Valentina again. "I'd much rather you were the only one looking." She inhaled sharply. Her fork slipped from her fingers. *Clang.* Every head turned to her. "Everything alright sweetheart?" Mom asked. "I'm sorry," Valentina mumbled, mortified. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself laughing. Dad looked directly at me. The stern expression clearly said *Behave.* I gave him my most innocent smile. Dessert arrived. Conversation drifted to Matteo's upcomi

Chapter 73 - My Chessboard is Missing a Queen Part 1

LeightonTuesday, 3rd February 2026 - SoHo PenthouseThe exhibition was just over three weeks away.By any reasonable standard I had given myself an impossible deadline. The feature piece alone would measure nearly four metres across, far too large to complete in my studio. It would have to be painted at the gallery itself after installation, the final brushstrokes witnessed by no one. I painted for escape, because it quieted the noise in my head, even if it was only for a little while.I poured myself into my work, probably the only time I shared any bit of me with the world. But even this creative outlet, was split. One meant for the public eye and the other just for myself.Other people invited patrons, critics and collectors to watch the process. They would call it performance art.I called it theatre.Art was never simply paint on canvas. It was imagination. Creation. Obsession. And every work only became a masterpiece with the appropriate audience to validate its beauty, origin

Chapter 74 - My Chessboard is Missing a Queen Part 2

Tuesday, 3rd February 2026 - SoHo Penthouse "Check employment. Friends." My voice dropped to a lower register, eyes narrowing. “Anyone that you deem more than a friend…” "Fine. So basically everything." He chuckled quietly. "Still subtle as ever." "I've never claimed to be subtle." "When do you need it?" "Preliminary report? Within forty-eight hours." "I'll have something." He assured me. "I know you will." I said in a voice that brooked no argument.I ended the call without saying goodbye. No need. Lester understood efficiency. I placed the phone face down on the marble counter before walking into my studio.The room smelled exactly as it should. Linseed oil. Turpentine. Fresh canvas. This is where every creative concept started.This was my quiet place…My sanctuary.Dozens of completed paintings lined one wall beneath protective cloths awaiting the exhibition.Powerful works. Technically flawless. Collectors would fight over them. Critics would dissect them. Students would st

Chapter 75 - Cleaning Up is a Dirty Business Part 1

Sunday, 8th February 2026 – Bennett ResidenceValentinaMaddie and I had just finished bringing in the last of the dinner dishes, when Ethan wandered into the kitchen, rolling the sleeves of his Henley up his forearms."Go upstairs and put your feet up, Mom," he said, gently taking the tea towel from her hands. "Valentina and I will finish the rest."Maddie looked between the two of us with a concerned look. "You've both had a long day. It was bad enough Val wouldn’t listen.""I am fine Maddie. I feel bad that I didn’t even help make supper.” I said. "Besides, I am gone again tomorrow, it is my first runway practice.""And dad will be buried in contracts at Bailey's," Ethan added. "You'll have Rhys all afternoon. You deserve a break.""I can take Rhys with me," I offered. "Or get a sitter."Maddie looked almost offended. "Absolutely not." She smiled softly. We treasure every minute with that little boy. Your father already has plans to introduce him to every bird in the garden."I cou

Chapter 76 - Cleaning Up is a Dirty Business Part 2

Sunday, 8th February 2026 – Bennett ResidenceValentinaWe returned to the task, but the *work* became a game of sensual torture. As I scrubbed a plate, Ethan didn't just dry…he lingered. Every time he reached for a dish, his hand would *accidentally* brush against my hip or slide firmly across the small of my back. I felt the heat of his hands through the fabric of my sweater, and his touch made my stomach clench with anticipation.Sometimes he'd shoot me a naughty smile. Sometimes I would look up from soaping plates and catch him watching me hungrily, blue gaze intense and fixed on me.When I splashed a little water at him after one particularly smug grin, he looked down at the damp spot on his shirt with exaggerated disbelief. "You attacked me.""I defended my honour.""Watery defence…no substance Miss Rossi." He flicked a droplet of water back at me.I gasped. "Ethan!""What?" he asked innocently. "You started it.""I distinctly remember being minding my own business." I huffed.

Chapter 77 - A Match Made in Heaven

NashMay 2025 - The Prissy Pint Cocktail BarEver since Mason and I had rejected Father's marriage proposal/business merger, he had become insufferable.Every report we submitted suddenly had flaws. Every decision was questioned. Every meeting became another opportunity for him to remind us that we were supposedly competing for the same prize.CEO. Ultimate control of Midas Media. He kept dangling it between us like a carrot, clearly expecting the old rivalry to resurface.It didn't. If anything, Mason and I had become closer.We still had our afterwork Friday catch-ups, even though there had been absolutely nothing new from the PI. We still went out for drinks, played squash, occasionally squeezed in a round of golf when our schedules allowed.Somewhere along the way, my brother had stopped being my competition. He had become my best friend. Neither of us would actually say it out loud, but it didn’t make it any less true.Then in May, the inevitable happened. Mason met Lacey.It ha

Chapter 78 - Follow the Bread Crumbs

July 2025 — Lacey Drummond’s Apartment - TribecaNash After a sumptuous meal and way too many drinks, Lacey finally asked the question everyone eventually asked. "So how is it that the great Nashian Blackthorpe is still single?"I laughed bitterly. Mason gave me a warning look. But Lacey wasn't being nosy, she was too good a person to be malicious like that. There was genuine curiosity in her expression, and something sincere about her that made it easy to open up.So I did.I told her about Valentina. Not everything. There were things I couldn't explain without breaking the NDA, and things I wasn't ready to put into words anyway.But I told her enough. The contract. Her wanting more. My callousness. Then her leaving and our search that had hit a dead end.When I finished, Lacey was quiet for several seconds. Then she frowned at both of us. "Guys...""What?" Mason asked."You're idiots."I blinked. Mason laughed. "Excuse me?""She loved her foster family." Her gaze settled on me. "To

Chapter 79 - Movie Night Confessional Part 1

ValentinaSunday, 8th February 2026 – Bennett ResidenceEthan led me into the dimly lit den and settled us onto the oversized couch.I tucked myself into his side as though I had always belonged there. We fit so perfectly, like two puzzle pieces that finally placed correctly. He reached for the remote and started the movie.I stared at the screen. Then at him. Then back at the screen. *Pretty Woman.* He had chosen *Pretty Woman.* The movie that probably best summed up mine and Nash’s relationship. Actually not…it might have the Penthouse and sex for money, but at least in the movie Julia Roberts gets the Prince and the “Happily Ever After.”*Oh yeah…And he took her out publicly, introduced her…even a hooker got treated better than you.* My inner voice taunts me cruelly.A brittle laugh escaped me. "Really? I’m intrigued Mr Bennet…why this movie."He shifted uncomfortably beside me. Even in the soft lighting, I could see the tips of his ears turning red. "I had the hugest crush on Ju

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