The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Cynthia's POV

"I need to go," I told Nathaniel, my phone still warm in my hand from Ethan's call. "Ethan just called. Our dog, Rex died, and Amber needs someone with him."

Nathaniel looked up from his own phone, his expression shifting from the intense focus he'd worn moments ago to something more conflicted.

"You're going to the Walker mansion?" he asked carefully. "Now?"

I nodded, already grabbing my keys from the side table. "Ethan has to go to the office. There's some emergency with the company. Amber's alone and devastated, and I…"

“I’m sure there is a help in the house who can do that, Cynthia”

I knew that tone, perhaps Nathaniel thinks I’m about to cross that boundary that we once talked about but this is Amber we are talking about. Why leave him all alone with a help when I can actually be there.

“I am just going for Amber”

"You can't say no to that boy," Nathaniel finished for me, a faint smile touching his lips despite the gravity of everything we'd just discussed.

"No," I admitted. "I can't."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "The police are moving to pick up Anna," he said. "We have enough evidence now. Once they have her in custody, she'll have to make a choice… give up Pascal or fall alone."

The name still sent a chill through me.

Pascal Walker.

The ghost who'd been orchestrating everything from the shadows.

"Good," I said firmly. "It's time to put an end to all this."

"Agreed." Nathaniel's phone buzzed in his hand, and he glanced at the screen. "I need to take this. It's the investigator."

"Go," I said, already moving toward the door. "I'll be at the Walker mansion if you need me."

He caught my arm gently as I passed, his expression serious. "Cynthia. Be careful"

"I'll be fine," I assured him. "I'm just going to comfort a grieving child. That's all."

Nathaniel didn't look entirely convinced, but he released my arm and lifted his phone to his ear. "Yes, I'm here. What did you find?"

I left him there, his voice fading as I walked quickly down the hall and out to my car.

---

The drive to the Walker mansion felt surreal.

My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as familiar streets passed by — streets I'd driven down countless times during my marriage, streets I'd deliberately avoided for months.

And now I was going back.

Voluntarily.

"Christmas turkey!" he declared with absolute certainty. "No doubt about it. You're the only one who makes it right, Mrs. Walker. The only one who seasons it properly and doesn't let it dry out like…" He stopped himself, looking almost embarrassed. "Well, let's just say the holidays haven't been the same without your cooking."

I laughed.

"I'll see what I can do, Mr. Lan," I said, still smiling despite the heaviness in my chest.

He nodded and pressed the button. The gates began to swing open with their familiar mechanical groan.

As I drove through, I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw him still standing there, watching me go with that same pleased smile on his face.

The driveway stretched ahead — long, winding, perfectly manicured on both sides. Cherry blossom trees that would be stunning in spring stood bare now, their branches stark against the gray December sky.

The mansion itself loomed larger with each passing second.

Grand. Imposing. Beautiful in a way that had always felt more like a museum than a home.

I parked near the front entrance and cut the engine.

For a moment, I just sat there, staring at the familiar carved double doors, the stone columns, the perfectly trimmed hedges.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my purse, and got out of the car.

It felt both familiar and foreign at the same time.

Like visiting a place you used to live in a dream. I hated it, but anything for my Amber.