The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 16

#16

Chapter 16

Cynthia’s POV

Kevin parked in the faculty lot, his sunglasses reflecting the morning sun as he turned to me with that easy grin that made half of Missford’s female population swoon.

“Ready for your new day, Chef?” he teased.

I rolled my eyes, gathering my leather tote. “I’m always ready”

“You sure you don’t want me to come in? Sit in the back like a very intimidating security blanket?”

“Kevin, you’re an F1 driver, not a bodyguard and your presence tends to cause more chaos than it prevents.” I squeezed his hand briefly. “I’ll be fine.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “Call if you need me. I’ll be in town all day.”

I stepped out of the car, taking all of Missford’s nostalgic air in, I crossed the courtyard toward the culinary building and suddenly, I noticed a very strange aura.

Anna. 1

I felt her before I saw her… that sour, perfumed presence that always preceded chaos. She stood near the visitor parking area with Margot beside her, both dressed like they were attending a Vogue photoshoot rather than lurking outside a university

campus.

Their eyes locked onto me immediately.

Anna’s expression was pure venom wrapped in a smile. That bitter, toxic look that used to make me want to disappear into the nearest wall. Now it just made me tired.

Kevin must have noticed too, because he’d gotten out of the car and fallen into step beside me, his presence a solid wall of

protection.

י

“Ugly girls,” he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear. (1)

Despite myself, I nearly laughed.

Anna’s lips twitched and she leaned in to whisper something to Margot. Whatever she said made Margot laugh, that cruel and calculated sound designed to wound from a distance.

But with Kevin beside me and two security guys behind me, they stayed where they were.

Good. Let them choke on their own poison.

***

Inside the culinary building, I could finally breathe. The kitchens smelled of vanilla, caramelized sugar, and fresh cottee. My students were already gathering around their workstations as I tied my apron and pulled my hair back.

“All right, everyone,” I called, clapping once to draw their attention. “Today we’re working on sugar sculptures. This requires three things: balance, precise temperature control, and patience. Miss any one of those, and you’ll end up with a sticky mess instead of art.”

Excited murmurs filled the space as burners flicked on and the sweet smell of melting sugar began to permeate the air.

I moved between stations, checking temperatures, correcting hand positions, offering encouragement. This was my element. This was where I felt most like myself.

#16

+25 Bonus

I was adjusting one student’s caramel temperature when a voice cut through.

“Chef Cynthia?”

I looked up. Lila, a sophomore with more curiosity than common sense had her hand raised, wearing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Yes, Lila?”

“Can I ask a personal question?” (1)

The room’s energy shifted subtly. Other students‘ hands stilled. Eyes turned toward us.

I kept my tone light. “If it’s about sugar ratios or technique, absolutely. Anything else depends on the question.”

A few students chuckled nervously, but Lila didn’t back down. “Actually, it’s about you.”

Of course it is.

“Go on,” I said carefully.

“Are you married?” (1

The question landed like a stone dropped in still water, the ripples spreading outward through the suddenly silent classroom.

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I mean,” Lila continued, emboldened by the attention, “you’re this famous chef, right? But there’s literally nothing about you online. No mention of family, no husband, nothing. You’re so private about everything. It’s kind of… mysterious.”

Murmurs spread through the class. Another student, a boy near the front with an unfortunately smug expression chimed in.” Yeah, and like, do you have some super protective husband who keeps you off social media? Or are you avoiding the spotlight- because of… someone specific?”

Kevin, who’d been leaning casually against the doorframe observing the class, straightened. His amused expression vanished,.

“Where exactly are you getting these questions?” His voice was dangerously quiet.

Lila had the decency to blush, suddenly very interested in her whisk. “It’s just… curiosity”

Anna’s fingerprints were all over this, I was just so sure of it because seeing her out there earlier meant one thing, she had come to spread some sort of curiosity in these students

Lila leaned forward, her false innocence paper–thin. “So, Chef… are you and the F1 racer dating? Everyone’s wondering. He dropped you off today. You two look really close and he’s single, and a billionaire, so it kind of seems like…”

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