The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Cynthia’s POV

During the class, I was in the middle of explaining the importance of supply chain management in maintaining restaurant quality when I noticed Nikolai.

He’d walked in quietly and taken a seat at the back of the lecture hall, his arms crossed, watching me with that intense focus he always seemed to have. Listening to every word like it mattered deeply to him.

It was uncomfortable.

Not because he was doing anything wrong, but because I could feel his eyes on me, tracking my movements as I gestured at the presentation slides, as I wrote key points on the whiteboard, as I answered students‘ questions.

I tried to ignore him and focus on my students, but my awareness of his presence never quite faded.

After the class ended and students began filing out, chattering amongst themselves about their upcoming final projects, Nikolai approached me at the front of the room.

“That was excellent,” he said, his accent making the compliment sound even more formal. “Your students are lucky to have you. The way you explained the relationship between sourcing and customer satisfaction – very insightful.”

“Thank you,” I said, gathering my notes and laptop, keeping my movements busy and purposeful.

“Are you well, Cynthia?” His voice softened with genuine concern. “You seem… tense.”

Before I could respond, he reached toward my hair. “You have something…”

I flinched.

Actually flinched away from him, my body reacting before my brain could process what was happening.

Nikolai paused midway, his hand suspended in the air between us. Something flickered across his face like he was hurt – before his expression smoothed into something more neutral.

He dropped his hand down slowly.

“You have something stuck in your hair,” he said quietly, his tone carefully professional now. “If you don’t want me to use my hands to get it off, I could use a pen or something else.”

That made me feel terrible.

God, I was overreacting, wasn’t I? Why was I even doing all of this? Nikolai was nice to me. Had been nothing but kind and

supportive since we’d met.

And here I was, treating him like some kind of threat.

But… he and Matilda seemed to be acquainted. That much was clear from the tension I’d sensed, from the way Kevin’s jaw had tightened whenever Nikolai’s name came up in conversation. And whatever hurt Kevin hurt me too.

Though, if I was being honest, it wasn’t Nikolai’s fault. None of it was.

“I’m sorry,” I said, reaching up to feel my hair. My fingers found what he’d been reaching for…a small piece of dried herb from the cooking demonstration I’d done. “I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s alright,” Nikolai said, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I understand. Boundaries are important.”

The word hung between us, loaded with meaning.

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“The gifts for Amber,” I said, changing the subject awkwardly. “You mentioned you still have them?”

“Yes, in my office.” He paused. “How are you going to get them to your car? They’re quite a bit heavy. I can help you put them in your trunk if you’d like.”

I hesitated, then nodded. It would be more awkward to refuse than to accept help with something practical.

“That would be helpful. Thank you.”

We walked outside together. My security detail, Jace and his colleague, in dark suits who’d been waiting discreetly near the lecture hall entrance, fell into step behind us at a respectful distance.

Nikolai glanced back at them, one eyebrow raised slightly. “They’re going to follow you to the office?”

I let out a wry laugh “No, just ensure I get in safe”

“Ah.” He nodded in understanding. “That makes sense. You can never be too careful.”

We reached his office building, and he held the door open for me. The security detail waited outside crowd me during normal activities.

–

they knew better than to

Nikolai’s office was on the third floor, and as we rode the elevator up in silence, I found myself studying him from the corner of

my eye.

He was handsome in that refined, European way – sharp cheekbones, dark nicely done hair.

The elevator dinged, and we stepped out into a quiet hallway lined with faculty offices.

“Just down here,” Nikolai said, leading me to a door with his nameplate: Professor Nikolai Cross, Business & Economics.

He unlocked the door and gestured for me to enter first.

The office was exactly what I would have expected – neat, organized, with bookshelves lined with academic texts and business journals. A large desk dominated one corner, and near the window sat several wrapped packages of varying sizes.

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