The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 221

Chapter 221

Bryan's POV

I was exhausted.

Bone-deep, soul-crushing exhausted.

The kind of tired that made every movement feel like wading through thick mud, every thought sluggish and half-formed.

All I wanted was to collapse into bed and let unconsciousness take me—preferably for the next twelve hours straight.

I pushed open my bedroom door and headed straight for the dresser, already tugging at my tie, my fingers clumsy with fatigue.

I glanced up at the mirror while I worked the knot loose.

And nearly had a heart attack.

My mother was sitting on the lounge chair in the corner of my room.

Just… sitting there.

Calmly.

Like she hadn't just scared ten years off my life.

I let out a sound that was embarrassingly close to a scream—high-pitched, startled, completely undignified.

"Jesus Christ!" I yelped, spinning around to face her properly, my hand pressed over my racing heart.

My mother laughed.

"Did I startle you?" she asked, her tone light, amused.

"Startle me?" I repeated, still trying to catch my breath. "You almost gave me a heart attack! What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," she said simply, as if that explained everything.

I stared at her, my pulse still pounding, my tie hanging half-undone around my neck.

Eleanor Ferdinand looked as impeccably put-together as always—perfectly styled hair, elegant clothing, posture that radiated authority even while sitting. She looked completely at ease, like she broke into her adult son's bedroom on a regular basis.

"Mom," I said slowly, forcing my breathing to steady. "It's almost one in the morning. Why are you sitting in my room in the dark like some kind of… horror movie villain?"

She smiled faintly. "I wasn't sitting in the dark. I turned the lamp on."

I glanced at the small side lamp glowing softly beside her.

"That doesn't make this less creepy," I muttered, turning back to the mirror and resuming my attempt to remove my tie.

"I wanted to talk to you," my mother said.

"And it couldn't wait until morning?" I asked, pulling the tie free and tossing it onto the dresser.

"No," she replied. "It couldn't."

Something in her tone made me pause.

I turned to face her fully, crossing my arms over my chest.

"What's this about?" I asked cautiously.

My mother studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

"You've been spending quite a bit of time with Cynthia Laurent lately," she said.

I stiffened immediately.

"How do you…"

"I pay attention, Bryan," she interrupted smoothly. "It's what I do. And I've noticed that you've been… unusually invested in her wellbeing."

My jaw tightened.

"She's a friend," I said carefully.

My mother's lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Is she?"

I didn't answer.

Because what could I say?

"I'm tired, Bryan," she interrupted, her voice hardening. "I'm tired of watching Walker Industries lead the market year after year, decade after decade. Harold Walker built an empire, and now his son is running it into the ground with scandal after scandal. This is our opportunity."

I took a step back, shaking my head.

"This is insane," I said. "You're talking about Cynthia like she's some kind of… acquisition."

"Isn't she?" my mother asked coolly. "You want her, don't you?"

"That's not…" I stopped, exhaling sharply. "It's not that simple."

"It is," my mother insisted. "You want her. She's currently entangled with Ethan Walker—a man who has hurt her, neglected her, humiliated her publicly. And now Walker Industries is vulnerable. Weak. This is the perfect time to act."

I stared at her, horrified.

"Are you seriously suggesting I manipulate Cynthia into a marriage for corporate gain?" I asked.

"I'm suggesting," my mother said evenly, "that you pursue the woman you love and benefit your family in the process. What's wrong with that?"

"Everything!" I snapped. "Everything is wrong with that! Cynthia isn't a business strategy. She's a person. A woman who's been through hell and is trying to rebuild her life. I'm not going to use her."

My mother's expression didn't change.

"Then you don't want her badly enough," she said simply.

"That's not…" I stopped again, frustration choking off my words.

"Bryan," my mother said, standing and crossing back to me. "Listen to me carefully. Cynthia Laurent is going to end up with someone. It might as well be you."

"She's still married," I pointed out.

"Barely," my mother countered. "The divorce papers have already been served. It's only a matter of time before that marriage is officially over. And when it is, she'll be free. Vulnerable. Looking for stability."

"And you think I should swoop in and take advantage of that?" I asked incredulously.

"I think you should be there," my mother corrected. "Present. Supportive. Offering her something Ethan Walker never could—real partnership, real respect, real security."

She placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I can help you," she said quietly. "You know Victoria Laurent is my best friend." she winked.

Now that did it, I wanted Cynthia that badly and if my mother has a way to help me secure her, I am curious to know how.