The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 207

Chapter 207

Bryan's POV

Damn.

Damn.

I'd been so close.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I drove, my jaw clenched so hard my teeth ached. The memory of that moment on the beach replayed over and over in my mind like a film reel I couldn't shut off.

Cynthia's face, inches from mine. Her eyes wide, vulnerable, glassy with unshed tears. Her lips slightly parted as she struggled to breathe. The way she'd frozen—not pulling away, not stopping me, just… waiting.

I'd been seconds away from kissing her.

Seconds away from finally crossing that line I'd been dancing around for months.

And then Kevin's call had shattered everything.

Part of me—a selfish, bitter part I wasn't proud of—resented the interruption.

But the larger, more rational part understood that it had probably saved me from making a catastrophic mistake.

Cynthia wasn't ready.

She was grieving. Terrified. Overwhelmed. Kissing her in that moment wouldn't have been romantic or meaningful—it would have been taking advantage of her vulnerability.

And I wasn't that man.

I refused to be that man.

Still, the frustration gnawed at me.

When would I get another opportunity like that? Another moment where her defenses were down, where she was close enough to touch, where the possibility of us felt tangible instead of hypothetical?

I didn't know.

And that uncertainty ate at me.

I glanced at Cynthia in the passenger seat.

She was leaning forward slightly, her entire body tense with anticipation, her hands gripping the edge of the seat like she could will the car to move faster. Her eyes were fixed straight ahead, unblinking, focused entirely on getting to Amber.

She'd stopped crying, but her face was still flushed, her eyes still red-rimmed.

She looked exhausted.

Relieved.

Beautiful.

I forced myself to look away and focus on the road.

…

The Laurent mansion was… impressive.

That was the first word that came to mind as I pulled up to the gates.

I'd known the Laurents were wealthy — everyone in Missford knew that. Kevin Laurent was an international F1 champion. The family name carried weight in business, politics, high society.

But seeing their estate in person was different.

This wasn't just wealth.

This was legacy.

The gates opened automatically as we approached—someone inside must have been watching the cameras—and I drove through slowly, taking in the details.

Fountains. Sculpted hedges. A circular driveway wide enough for a dozen cars.

This was where Cynthia had been staying.

This was the world she'd returned to after leaving Ethan.

I parked near the front entrance, and the moment the car stopped, Cynthia was already unbuckling her seatbelt and shoving the door open.

She didn't wait for me.

She just ran.

Straight up the steps, through the open front door, into the mansion.

I followed more slowly, stepping out of the car and closing the door behind me.

…

Inside, the Laurent family had gathered in what looked like a grand sitting room.

And they weren't just wealthy.

They were grounded.

That surprised me.

Kevin stood near the fireplace, his arms crossed, his expression warm and relieved. Nathaniel sat on one of the sofas, his wife Helen beside him, both of them smiling softly. Victoria Laurent—the matriarch—sat in an elegant armchair, her posture regal but her eyes kind.

Kevin's jaw tightened visibly.

I frowned slightly, watching the brief interaction between the two brothers.

There was tension there.

Unspoken. Heavy.

Something had happened between them.

"What's going on?" Julian asked, his gaze sweeping the room before landing on Amber. "Why is everyone gathered like this?"

"Amber went missing," Nathaniel explained briefly. "But he's safe now. He found his way here on his own."

Julian's expression softened slightly as he looked at Amber.

"Smart kid," he said, walking over and ruffling Amber's hair gently. "Glad you're okay."

Amber grinned up at him. "Thanks, Uncle Julian."

Julian straightened, his smile fading quickly as his eyes flicked briefly toward Kevin.

Kevin didn't meet his gaze.

The tension between them was palpable.

"I'm going to head upstairs," Julian said abruptly. "Long day."

He left without waiting for a response, disappearing down one of the hallways.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Victoria frowned slightly, clearly sensing the same tension I had.

But before anyone could comment on it, Cynthia spoke.

"I need to call Ethan," she said quietly, still holding Amber close. "He needs to know Amber is safe."

My stomach tightened.

Of course.

Ethan.

Because no matter how much he'd screwed up tonight, no matter how angry she was at him, Ethan was still Amber's father.

And that would never change.