The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Kevin's POV

The weight of everything I'd just discovered about Julian sat heavy in my chest as I approached the Laurent mansion gates. My mind was still circling around the same thoughts, the same questions, the same dread about what came next.

Julian was gay.

Tony Amaeli wasn't just a colleague or a friend.

He was Julian's boyfriend.

And Mom…

God, what was Mom going to do when she found out?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost didn't notice the commotion at the gate.

But as my headlights swept across the entrance, I caught sight of the security guards gathered in a small cluster, their postures tense, their voices raised slightly.

And in the middle of them stood a small figure.

A child.

I frowned, slowing the car instinctively.

What was a kid doing here at this hour?

One of the guards was speaking firmly, gesturing back toward the street. "I'm telling you, there's no one here by that name. You need to go home. Where are your parents?"

"I already told you!" the child's voice rang out, high-pitched and frustrated. "My mom is Mrs. Walker! She's married to Ethan Walker! She's here! I know she is!"

My foot hit the brake.

The car jerked to a stop just inside the gate, and I threw it into park without thinking, my heart suddenly pounding for an entirely different reason.

That voice.

I knew that voice.

I shoved the door open and stepped out quickly, my eyes locking onto the small boy standing beneath the gate lights.

Disheveled hair. Tear-streaked face. Clothes slightly rumpled.

But unmistakable.

"Amber?" I said, my voice sharp with disbelief.

The boy's head whipped around instantly.

The moment he saw me, his entire face crumpled with relief.

"Uncle Kevin!" he cried.

He didn't hesitate.

He broke away from the confused security guards and ran straight toward me, his small legs pumping as fast as they could carry him.

I dropped to one knee just in time to catch him as he launched himself into my arms, his small body colliding with mine with enough force to nearly knock me backward.

"Uncle Kevin," he sobbed into my shoulder, his arms wrapping tightly around my neck. "They wouldn't let me in. I told them my mom was here but they didn't believe me and I didn't know what to do…"

"It's okay," I said immediately, holding him close, one hand cradling the back of his head. "It's okay now. You're safe."

My chest felt tight, wondering what had happened and why he was here alone. He had most definitely come here himself.

I pulled back slightly, keeping my hands on his shoulders, and looked him over quickly. "Are you hurt? Did anyone hurt you?"

"Someone tried to kidnap you?" I said, my voice sharper than I intended.

Amber nodded quickly. "But I got away. I ran really fast and I found a taxi and I told the driver to bring me here because I didn't want to go home. I knew no one would be at Daddy's house and I came here but the guards wouldn't let me in…"

He was trembling now, the adrenaline clearly wearing off, fear and exhaustion taking its place.

I pulled him into another hug, holding him tightly.

"You are so smart," I said fiercely. "Do you know that? You are the smartest, bravest kid I've ever met."

He sniffled against my shoulder. "I was really scared."

"I know," I said softly. "But you did everything right. You got yourself safe. You got yourself here. You're okay now."

I pulled back and looked at him seriously.

"Your mom is going to be so worried about you," I said. "We need to call her right away and let her know you're safe."

Amber nodded quickly. "Okay."

I stood up, pulling out my phone, my mind already racing ahead.

She was probably losing her mind right now.

I unlocked my phone and pulled up Cynthia's contact, my thumb hovering over the call button.

Then I looked down at Amber, who was staring up at me with wide, trusting but tired eyes.

"Come on," I said, taking his hand. "Let's get you inside first. Get you cleaned up. Then we'll call your mom together, okay?"

He nodded.