The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177

Ethan’s POV

Cynthia’s skin was still warm beneath my lips, still sensitive, still reacting in that familiar way that always unraveled me.

She was still sleeping peacefully right beside me and it brought back memories. I can’t afford losing her again.

I kissed the curve of her neck slowly, deliberately, breathing her in as if committing her scent to memory. My hands rested on her waist, not gripping, not demanding, just holding her there like if I stayed still enough she might forget to leave.

She laughed softly, a breathy sound that tightened something in my chest.

“Ethan,” she said, pushing lightly at my shoulder. She opened her eyes and smiled at me. Then, she checked the time on the bedside clock.

Almost noon.

“Oh God,” she whispered. “I really need to go and get Amber.”

I groaned, the sound pulled straight from my gut, and buried my face briefly against her collarbone. I stayed there for a second longer than necessary, refusing to let reality intrude.

“One more round,” I murmured against her skin. “Just one. We still have time.”

She laughed again, this time with more resolve, and wriggled out of my hold before I could tighten my arms around her. “No,” she said firmly as she reached for her clothes. “Absolutely not.”

I watched her sit up and start dressing, completely unbothered by the fact that she was leaving me half-dazed and painfully aware of everything I was losing by the second.

The way she moved did things to me that should have come with a warning label. Unhurried. Confident. Entirely herself. My eyes tracked every motion as she slipped into her underwear, then her dress, my jaw tightening as the fog lifted and reality set in.

Too bad that body was about to walk away.

“You said you trusted Nathaniel,” I said, leaning back against the headboard, folding my arms behind my head as I studied her. “So why the rush?”

“I do trust him,” she replied calmly, pulling her hair back with practiced ease. “That doesn’t mean I’m suddenly okay with leaving my son there all day without checking on him.”

I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. Wanting her did not even begin to cover it. Wanting her was instinctive, automatic, as natural as breathing. But wanting did not give me the right to keep her.

“Move back in,” I said suddenly.

She froze mid-motion, her fingers still tangled in her hair.

“What?” She turned to stare at me, disbelief flashing across her face. “No way.”

“No matter what you say, Cynthia…” I cut her off before she could say more hurtful words. “I know what I felt when I made love to you. I know you still love me. And a lot of lack of communicaion and misunderstanding is the reason why all this is happening, and I absolutely take all the blame. But please Cynthia, I need you right now”

For one dangerous moment, I thought she might actually say yes.

She looked at me long and hard, her expression calm, almost unreadable, and then she took a slow breath.

Instead of answering, she reached for her bag. “I need to go check on Amber,” she said quietly.

Dismissed.

She was fully dressed now, grounded again, already stepping out of the intimate space we had shared. I felt the distance like a physical thing, sharp and unwelcome. Frustration bubbled up before I could stop it.

“I’m coming with you,” I said.

She paused at the door and glanced back at me. “Why?”

“So I can at least know where my wife lives,” I replied without hesitation. “I kept my word before. I had your car delivered without even checking the address. But now?” I stepped closer, my tone firm. “I want to know.”

Her lips pressed together, unreadable.