One Night Stand, Eight Surprises: Pampered by My CEO Husband --- - Chapter 95: Chapter 95

The idea was Jonah’s.
He told Iris, who roped in Elijah, who bribed Lily with extra bedtime stories. They swore each other to secrecy, whispering like co-conspirators across dinner plates and hallway corners. It had been weeks—months, even—since Arielle had done anything just for herself.
They could see it. The tightness in her shoulders. The smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. The exhaustion hidden beneath layers of lipstick and command.
“She needs a break,” Iris said.
“She needs a hug,” Jonah added.
“She needs to feel home again,” Elijah said. “Even for one night.”
And so, a plan was born.
On Friday night, Arielle walked into the living room expecting to finalize campaign reports. Instead, she found the lights off, a blanket fort draped across the couches, and a trail of popcorn kernels leading to a glowing sign made of fairy lights and construction paper:
“Welcome to Family Movie Night!”
Lily popped out from under the fort. “Surprise!” she squealed.
Iris was already queuing up one of Arielle’s favorite old comedies—the one she and Damien used to watch on rainy Sundays. Elijah had set up the projector, and Jonah had prepared snacks that included both healthy bites and unapologetically messy treats.
Arielle blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes.
“What’s all this?” she asked, voice soft.
“You never stop,” Elijah said. “So we’re making you stop.”
“Even generals need a night off,” Jonah added.
“And mamas need giggles!” Lily chirped, throwing herself into Arielle’s arms.
They piled into the fort, limbs tangled, bowls passed back and forth, laughter echoing louder than the movie.
Iris braided Arielle’s hair.
Jonah narrated the film dramatically in his best villain voice.
Lily fell asleep halfway through, curled against Arielle’s chest.
And for a while—just a while—Arielle let herself believe it was enough.
She laughed.
She snorted at the same scene Damien used to mock.
She closed her eyes and just breathed.
Hours later, the movie had ended.
Elijah had carried Lily to bed.
Jonah and Iris had fallen asleep beneath the blanket fort.
Arielle sat alone in the soft, glowing dark.
The house was still. Peaceful.
And then the silence pressed too hard.
She reached for her phone, stared at Damien’s contact like it was a lifeline. The picture—him in sunglasses, squinting against the sun, grinning like he knew something no one else did—mocked her.
“I did it,” she whispered. “I held them together tonight.”
Her voice broke. “But I miss you so much it’s a sickness.”
The tears came quietly.
Not dramatic. Not angry.
Just… full. Overflowing.
She curled into the corner of the couch, blanket pulled tight, eyes squeezed shut.
And cried like no one could hear her.
Because that’s what strength sometimes
looked like.
Not holding it in.
But letting it break you—when no one was watching.