The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Cynthia’s POV

I noticed Bryan wasn’t leaving and I guess Ethan noticed it too.

Ethan leaned back against the wall, arms folded loosely, eyes sharp despite the exhaustion tugging at his features. “So,” he said casually, too casually, “why aren’t you leaving?”

Bryan didn’t look at him. “Do I need a reason?”

Ethan scoffed. “You’re not exactly subtle. You’ve been hovering all night.”

Bryan finally turned his head, irritation flashing across his face. “I’m not hovering.”

“You are,” Ethan replied flatly. “And you shouldn’t be this concerned about other people’s business. Especially not their marriage.”

The word marriage landed awkwardly in the space between us.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my fingers curling into the fabric of my coat. Something was off between the two of them.

It felt like a fracture that had existed long before I returned, one that had only widened with my presence.

Bryan’s jaw tightened. “I’m concerned because everything happening here affects more than just you.”

Ethan tilted his head. “Funny. I don’t remember asking you to be.”

Silence followed, thick and uncomfortable.

I cleared my throat softly. “Can we not do this right now?”

Both of them looked at me instantly, the tension snapping like a stretched rubber band.

Bryan exhaled and looked away. Ethan’s shoulders dropped slightly, as if reminded where he was.

“Fine,” Ethan muttered. “I’m just saying.”

Bryan didn’t respond.

Minutes later, the doctor approached us, his white coat pristine, his expression calm in that practiced way doctors had when they were about to deliver news that would either destroy or temporarily relieve you.

“Mr. Walker,” he said, nodding to Ethan. “The surgery was successful.”

Relief rushed through me so suddenly it made me dizzy.

“Grace is stable,” the doctor continued. “However, due to the trauma from the fall and the blood loss, her brain suffered some stress. She’s currently unconscious and may take a few days to regain full consciousness.”

Ethan nodded slowly, absorbing the words.

“You’re free to go home and rest,” the doctor added. “We’ll keep her under close observation.”

Ethan hesitated. “I’m waiting for the DNA test results.”

The doctor blinked, surprised, but recovered quickly. “Those will take some time. We’ll notify you once they’re ready.”

“I’ll wait,” Ethan said firmly.

I glanced at him. His face was unreadable now, set into something hard and resolute. This wasn’t just about Grace anymore. It was about answers. About a lifetime of assumptions suddenly cracking open.

“I’ll stay too,” I said before I could second-guess myself.

Ethan looked at me, surprise flickering briefly before softening into something quieter. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to,” I replied. “I’m just as curious as you are.”

That was true. If Grace wasn’t his biological mother… then everything we thought we knew about the Walker family was wrong.

Bryan still didn’t leave.

“It’s seven in the morning,” I snapped, sitting upright and adjusting myself, my heart racing.

He blinked, running a hand through his hair. “Seven?”

“Yes. And your hand…” I stopped myself, exhaling sharply. “Never mind.”

He followed my gaze, realization dawning. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“I know,” I said quickly, even though part of me wasn’t entirely sure. “Just… don’t.”

He nodded, embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I must have fallen asleep.”

“So did I,” I muttered.

That’s when I noticed Bryan.

He was slumped in the chair opposite us, head tilted to the side, arms crossed tightly over his chest. Asleep.

My brows furrowed.

He’d stayed the night.

The realization sent a strange ripple through me.

Why?

I scanned his face, the faint lines of exhaustion etched into his features. He looked… troubled. Not like a man keeping vigil out of obligation, but like someone weighed down by something personal.

I glanced back at Ethan, who was now staring at Bryan too, his expression unreadable.

Why did he stay?

Was he that close to Grace?