The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Cynthia’s POV

My legs felt weak as I followed Ethan and Bryan down the corridor, my heels barely keeping pace with their long, frantic strides. The soft carpet did nothing to cushion the panic pounding through my body. Each step felt unsteady, like my knees might give out at any moment. I could barely feel my feet touching the ground. All I could feel was fear, sharp and relentless.

The security guard moved ahead of us briskly, his walkie talkie crackling softly as he spoke in hushed, urgent tones to someone on the other end.

I did not understand most of what he was saying, but I understood the urgency. I understood the speed. I understood the tension in his shoulders.

Every second felt stretched and distorted, like time itself had slowed just to torture me.

My mind was racing faster than my body could keep up.

Amber. Amber. Amber.

The name repeated over and over in my head, a frantic chant that drowned out everything else.

The idea that he might be scared somewhere, alone, looking for us, made my chest ache so violently I thought I might be sick.

We reached a steel door tucked away from the glamour of the event, far removed from chandeliers, polished marble, and champagne glasses. It looked industrial, out of place, like a reminder that beneath the glitter and wealth, there were hidden spaces meant for emergencies. The guard swiped a card, the lock clicked, and he pushed the door open, ushering us inside without ceremony.

The room was cold.

Not just temperature wise, but emotionally. Sterile.

Dim fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a pale glow over the space. Monitors lined the walls, dozens of them stacked neatly in rows, each displaying a different angle of the hotel. Hallways. Entrances. Elevators. Staircases. Lounges. Places guests passed through without thinking. Places where a child could disappear in seconds.

A few other security guards were already inside, standing alert, their expressions serious, focused, unreadable. One sat at a desk filled with screens and keyboards, fingers hovering as if ready to strike at any moment.

The moment we stepped in, the distant noise outside vanished completely, replaced by the low hum of machines, the faint clicking of keyboards, and the heavy silence of people who knew something was very wrong.

My heart thudded painfully, each beat loud and uneven.

One of the guards turned toward Ethan, his voice calm but firm. “Sir, can you tell us the last time and place you saw your son?”

Ethan did not hesitate, but I could see how much effort it took for him to stay composed. His jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscle twitch. His hands were balled into fists at his sides, knuckles white, arms rigid like he was holding himself back from exploding.

“In the hallway leading to the Cross Energy event hall,” he said. His voice was tight, controlled only by sheer force of will. “About twenty minutes ago.”

Twenty minutes.

The words echoed in my head like a gunshot.

Twenty minutes was too long.

My stomach dropped. My throat went dry. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe even though it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. I knew better than to interrupt Ethan right now. He was standing on the edge of something dangerous, and anything, even a single wrong word, could push him over it.

So instead, I turned slowly toward Bryan and lightly tapped his arm.

“What’s going on?” I whispered urgently, my voice barely steady. “Bryan… tell me what’s wrong.”

He hesitated.

His eyes flickered toward Ethan, then back to me. His expression shifted, guilt and worry tangling together in a way that made my chest tighten even more. When he finally spoke, his voice dropped low, almost afraid of being overheard.

“Amber is missing.”

The word hit me square in the chest.

My breath caught painfully, and for a moment, the room tilted. The walls seemed too close, the ceiling too low. I felt lightheaded, like I might collapse right there on the cold floor.

“He shouldn’t have gone far,” Bryan added quickly, his words tumbling out as if speed alone could undo what he had just said. “He was right there. He’s a smart kid. He probably wandered off.”

Nikolai froze.

Realization dawned on his face slowly, his expression shifting from confusion to shock. “Your son?” he asked quietly.

Before anyone could say anything else, one of the security guards spoke up.

“We’ve found the time frame,” he said, his fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard. “Fast forwarding now.”

Everyone in the room went silent.

The monitors flickered as the footage sped up, scenes blurring into one another. Hallways filled and emptied. Guests walked by laughing, unaware. Doors opened and closed. Elevators arrived and departed.

My heart felt like it was beating directly in my ears.

The footage slowed.

Then stopped.

“Here,” the guard said, pointing at one of the screens.

My breath hitched.

On the monitor, clear as day, I saw Ethan.

Bryan.

Amber.

Amber was slightly behind them, his small head bent over his game, earbuds in, completely absorbed. Mr. Brown stood nearby, speaking animatedly, his hands gesturing as he talked.

“Oh my God…” I whispered, my hands flying up to cover my mouth as tears spilled freely now. “Amber.”