Ex Wife's Collapse After Divorce novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

After thinking it over, Ethan decided to go.

Not because of Vivian’s threat. That text had pissed him off, but it wasn’t the reason.

It was Eleanor.

Eleanor Whitmore – Vivian’s mother was the only person in that family who had ever treated him like a human being.

Three years of marriage. Three years of Reginald’s sneers, his cold remarks, his endless comparisons to men Ethan had never met and didn’t care about.

But Eleanor?

Eleanor asked him if he’d eaten. Eleanor noticed when he looked tired. Eleanor once spent an entire month making bone broth from scratch because Ethan had mentioned – just once, offhand – that he’d been a premature baby with a weaker constitution.

“You’re my son now too,” she’d said, pressing a thermos into his hands. “And I take care of my sons.”

She’d even scolded Vivian for him. More than once. Vivian had thrown fits about it, accusing her mother of caring more about her son-in-law than her own daughter.

If Ethan was going to end this marriage, Eleanor deserved to hear it from him first.

Face to face.

That was the least he owed her.

“Tonight,” he said to Aurora, “I probably won’t have time to cook for you. Can you manage on your own?”

“Sure.” A flicker of disappointment crossed her face, but she didn’t push. “You owe me tomorrow though.” Ethan smiled and nodded.

They walked out of the building together. Aurora glanced at the street, then back at him.

“Rush hour. You’ll never get a cab. Let me drive you.”

She was right. The nearest subway station was a good fifteen-minute walk, and every rideshare app would show a forty-minute wait.

“That’d help. Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me.” She grinned. “You drive, I eat. Fair trade.”

She walked ahead to her red Ferrari, pulled it around, and stopped in front of him.

Ethan got in and gave her the address.

Neither of them spoke during the drive.

When they arrived at the gated community along the river, Aurora pulled over and watched him step out.

He didn’t look back.

The Lockwoods lived in a penthouse flat – over two thousand square feet, river views, in one of the most

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expensive complexes in Crestwood. Worth north of ten million.

Ethan pressed the doorbell.

The door swung open almost immediately.

Eleanor stood there in an apron, spatula in hand, her face breaking into a warm smile the moment she saw him.

“Ethan! Come in, come in. Sit down, let Vivian get you something to drink. I’ve got your favorite garlic butter prawns almost done – we’ll eat as soon as they’re ready!”

Same as always.

The way she looked at him like he was her own son walking through the door.

Something warm pressed against his chest.

He smiled, changed into house slippers, and headed for the living room.

Eleanor hurried back to the kitchen.

In the living room, Reginald sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, reading a newspaper. Didn’t look up.

Vivian sat nearby, scrolling through her phone. She glanced at Ethan when he entered – one look, nothing more – then went back to her screen.

The air was stale with the usual tension.

Ethan didn’t sit down.

He walked past them both and into the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves to help Eleanor with the last dish.

Minutes later, everything was on the table. Ethan set out the plates and silverware, then pulled Eleanor’s chair out

for her.

“See?” Eleanor beamed. “Ethan knows how to treat people.”

She shot a glare at Reginald and Vivian.

“Unlike you two. Sitting there like royalty, waiting to be served.”

Once everyone was seated, Reginald started in.

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