The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 220

Chapter 220

Ethan's POV

"How did you get out of prison?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

Anna's smile widened, but there was something unhinged about it now. Something that made my skin crawl. She looked like a woman who had spent time behind bars and come out of it not broken, but sharpened.

"I have my ways," she said, her tone almost sing-song. "You'd be surprised what a little money and the right connections can do."

My hands clenched into fists at my sides.

"That's not an answer," I said through gritted teeth.

Anna shrugged, completely unbothered. "Does it matter? I'm here now. And I just needed a place to rest with Hayden for the night. My apartment isn't… secure right now."

"Secure?" I repeated incredulously. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means," Anna said, her voice dropping slightly, "that certain people are watching it. Certain people I'd rather not deal with tonight."

My blood ran cold.

"What people?" I demanded.

Anna waved a dismissive hand. "It's complicated. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me," I snapped.

But before she could answer — before I could press her further — Mrs. Daniels appeared in the hallway, her face pale, her expression apologetic. She looked like she'd been dreading this moment since the second Anna had walked through the door.

"Mr. Walker," she said quietly. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know she was here. I was upstairs when she arrived and…"

"It's fine," I cut her off, though my tone made it clear that nothing about this situation was fine. "Just… take Amber to his room. Make sure he's safe. And help get Hayden settled somewhere."

Mrs. Daniels nodded quickly, relief flashing across her face at being given something concrete to do.

I turned to Amber, who was still holding Hayden's hand, both children looking between the adults with confusion and concern. Amber's eyes were sharp for a six-year-old — he always had been. He could feel the tension in a room before most adults could name it.

"Amber," I said gently. "Go with Mrs. Daniels. It's time for bed."

"But Daddy…"

"Now, Amber," I said, more firmly this time.

Amber hesitated, clearly sensing the tension in the room, but he nodded slowly and let go of Hayden's hand.

"Come on, Hayden," Mrs. Daniels said softly, reaching for the little girl. "Let's get you tucked in."

Anna leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping into something conspiratorial. The amusement in her eyes sharpened into something more deliberate, more calculated.

"Cynthia did quite a bit of work putting her there," she said softly. "And now the real son of Grace is very, very angry. And he's going to make sure Cynthia pays for what she did to his mother."

My heart stopped.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded, stepping closer.

Anna tilted her head, studying me like I was a puzzle she was enjoying watching me fail to solve. She always did love having information I didn't. Always loved being the one holding the cards.

"Pascal, of course," she said simply.

The name hit me like a punch to the gut.

"Anna," I growled. "Stop playing games and tell me what the hell is going on else I would call the police."

She sighed again, as if I was being tedious.

"I didn't escape prison, Ethan," Anna said, her tone shifting back to something almost reasonable. "I was released. Legally. On bail."

My stomach dropped.

What the hell?