The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 101

#101

Chapter 101

Ethan’s POV

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I was taking neat whiskey while waiting for Bryan, who had reached out again to remind me he was coming over.

It was really strange that Bryan was acting so differently. Usually, he didn’t even seek permission before coming over to the Walker mansion. He and Devian could practically walk in at 1 a.m. without warning, helping themselves to whatever was in the kitchen, making themselves at home like they owned the place.

Why was he being so cautious now?

Mrs. Daniels knocked softly on my study door. “Mr. Walker, Mr. Ferdinand is here.”

“Send him in.”

Bryan walked in moments later, and we shook hands…formal, almost stiff. Nothing like our usual casual greeting.

I offered him whiskey, and we settled into the armchairs by the fireplace, watching the flames dance and flicker.

The silence stretched uncomfortably.

“It sounded serious,” I said finally, unable to take the tension anymore. “What is it you wanted to say?”

But before Bryan could respond, my mind was already racing ahead, trying to fill in the blanks other than Cynthia, what else could it be? Was his company in trouble? Did he need financial help?

“Is it about Renaissance Group?” I asked impulsively.

Bryan scoffed, shaking his head. “No, no… our company is doing great.”

That bothered me more than if he’d said yes.

If it wasn’t about business, then it was obviously about what we’d discussed–about Cynthia. Was he concerned about me? Did he know something about Cynthia that he was trying to protect me from?

My grip tightened on my glass.

“So what is it about?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Bryan took a long sip of his whiskey, gathering his thoughts. “It’s about Cynthia.”

Yeah, right. I braced myself for the lecture. He was going to castigate Cynthia, tell me how bad she was for me. Tell me that Cynthia would try to get back with me using Amber as leverage, and that I shouldn’t give in. That I should protect myself trom her manipulation.

That’s what Bryan did. He protected me.

“Okay?” I said carefully. “What about her?”

“I remember I asked you if you still loved her.”

My heart leaped in my chest. “Yes, you asked me.” I tried to compose myself, taking a sip of whiskey to buy time. I knew Bryan was going to talk down on Cynthia. That had been the norm for years.

“And you told me no,” Bryan continued, his eyes fixed on the fire. “And since then, I have been letting myself…groom my feelings.”

What does that mean?

#101

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I was confused. I didn’t want to interrupt Bryan this time, and didn’t want to be an impulsive listener. I needed to understand what he was trying to say.

“You’re my best friend, Ethan.” Bryan turned to look at me now, his expression serious. “I love you so much. And I know you don’t feel anything for Cynthia. You’ve proved that over the years. You were just worried about her being with Kevin Laurent when she came back from Paris because you didn’t want Amber to be caught in that kind of circus and all that. I get it.”

“Mm.” I nodded, my throat suddenly tight. Still curious about where this was going.

“Without beating around the bush…” Bryan set his glass down on the side table and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.” I… I have become fond of Cynthia, Ethan. I love her. And I want to try and win her heart.”

My world crumbled.

The glass in my hand nearly slipped from my grip. I caught it at the last second, but whiskey sloshed over the rim, splashing onto my pants.

“What?” The word came out strangled, barely audible.

Bryan continued, his voice taking on a reflective tone. “I wouldn’t want to go into details about how I fell in love with her. Honestly, if you ask me, I’m still trying to figure out how I fell in love with a woman who I had once mocked, and… despised.”

He let out a wry laugh, shaking his head at himself.

“But with each and every passing day, I can’t help it. I can’t help these feelings.”

He looked directly at me, and I tried to keep my face as straight as possible. Tried to look like a supportive friend listening to a confession instead of a man whose entire world was imploding.

I kept my eyes on him. Listening. Even though every word felt like a physical assault.

“I respect you as my friend, Ethan. That’s why I’m telling you first before making my advances on her.” Bryan leaned back in his chair, his expression earnest. “And I know you chose Anna over her. I know you don’t feel anything for Cynthia. So I hope you wouldn’t be offended that I chose Cynthia for any reason. Either because she’s your ex, or… you think she’s not worthy enough

for me.”

Not worthy enough for him?

Not worthy enough for HIM?

I tried to compose myself so much, but rage was building inside me like a volcano ready to erupt. My hands clenched into fists on the armrests of my chair. My jaw was so tight I thought my teeth might crack.

How dare Bryan?

How dare he sit in my house, drink my whiskey, and tell me he’s going to pursue my wife?

God, what is this? What kind of cosmic joke was being played on me?

I blamed myself. If only I hadn’t lied about my feelings to Bryan. If only I hadn’t been drunk and stupid and said I never loved her. Bryan wouldn’t be sitting here telling me this. He wouldn’t think he had a clear path to Cynthia’s heart.

How was I supposed to tell Bryan now that he should get his eyes off my wife? That we weren’t divorced yet? That we were NOT going to get divorced?

There was no way I was leaving Cynthia.

There was no way Bryan was going to have Cynthia.

The audacity of it all was suffocating me.

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