The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 214

Chapter 214

Cynthia's POV

I wasn't shocked that Ethan would pull a stunt like this.

Showing up unannounced, leaning on his horn like some unhinged person, making a scene loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood — it was exactly the kind of reckless, impulsive thing Ethan did when he felt cornered.

What amazed me was how quickly he'd done it.

Less than thirty minutes had passed since our phone call, and here he was, outside the Laurent gates, demanding our son like I'd kidnapped him.

I walked toward the gate slowly, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, trying to keep my composure even though anger and exhaustion were warring inside me.

The security guards stood uncertainly to the side, clearly waiting for my instruction. Bryan hovered nearby, his expression tense, like he was preparing to intervene if things escalated.

And Ethan…

Ethan sat in his car, hands gripping the steering wheel, jaw clenched, eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten.

He looked wrecked.

Furious, yes. But also desperate. Broken in a way I'd never seen before.

For a split second, something in me softened.

Then I remembered why we were here in the first place.

Because he had brought Amber to that event. Because he had been so consumed with jealousy that he'd put our son in danger. Because he couldn't control himself long enough to think about anyone but himself.

I stopped just inside the gate, my voice cold when I finally spoke.

"Just let Amber stay the night. I'll bring him back tomorrow morning. He's exhausted. He's been through…"

"Daddy!"

The small voice cut through the air like a knife.

My heart stopped.

I turned sharply.

Amber stood at the top of the steps, still wrapped in the blanket Helen had given him, his eyes wide and bright as they locked onto Ethan's car.

"Daddy!" he called again, louder this time, his voice filled with pure, unfiltered joy.

And then he ran.

Down the steps. Across the driveway. Straight toward the gate.

"Amber, wait…" I started, but it was too late.

He reached the gate and pressed himself against the bars, his small hands gripping the iron, his face lit up with excitement.

"Daddy!" he shouted. "You came!"

Ethan was out of the car in seconds.

He crossed the distance to the gate in long, urgent strides, dropping to his knees the moment he reached Amber.

"I'm here, buddy," Ethan said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm here."

Amber turned to me then, his eyes wide and pleading.

He didn't have to say the words.

I already knew what he wanted.

"Please, Mommy," he said quietly. "Can you open the gate?"

My throat tightened painfully.

I wanted to say no.

I wanted to tell him he needed to stay here tonight, where it was safe, where I could keep an eye on him, where Ethan couldn't drag him into another disaster.

But I couldn't.

Because the look in Amber's eyes — hopeful, desperate, longing broke something inside me.

I nodded to the security guards.

"Open it," I said quietly.

The gate began to swing open slowly, the metal groaning softly as it moved.

The moment there was enough space, Amber slipped through and launched himself into Ethan's arms.

"Thank you, Mommy!" he said, already turning back toward Ethan.

Ethan stood, lifting Amber easily into his arms, and walked toward his car without another word.

He didn't look at me.

Didn't acknowledge me.

Didn't say thank you or goodnight or anything.

He just opened the back door, settled Amber inside, buckled him in, and got into the driver's seat.

The engine roared to life.

And then he was gone.

Just like that.

The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over, hot and relentless, streaming down my face.

I stood there at the gate, watching the taillights of Ethan's car disappear into the night, feeling more alone than I had in a long time.

A warm hand settled gently on my shoulder.

I turned slightly.

Bryan stood beside me, his expression soft with concern.

"Cynthia…" he started.

I couldn't.

I couldn't let him see me like this.

I shook his hand off and turned away, walking quickly back toward the mansion, my vision blurred with tears, my chest heaving with silent sobs.

I didn't stop until I was inside.

The door closed behind me with a soft click, shutting out Bryan, shutting out the night, shutting out everything.

I leaned against the wall and let myself cry.