The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 224

Chapter 224

Ethan's POV

I barely slept.

Every time I closed my eyes, my mind replayed Anna's words on an endless loop.

Pascal is coming for her.

He thinks Cynthia tried to kill his mother.

By the time dawn broke, I'd given up on sleep entirely.

I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and dialed Detective Morrison's number, my jaw clenched so tightly it hurt.

He answered on the third ring, his voice groggy.

"Walker? Do you know what time it is?"

"I don't care," I snapped. "I need answers. Now."

There was a pause, then a sigh.

"About what?"

"About Anna," I said through gritted teeth. "Why the hell was she released? And why wasn't I notified?"

"She posted bail," Morrison said flatly. "It's legal. There's nothing…"

"Legal?" I cut him off. "She was arrested for sabotage, embezzlement, child endangerment…"

"And the prosecution couldn't make the charges stick," Morrison interrupted. "Without Walker Industries pressing charges for the corporate crimes, the case fell apart. The sabotage at Maison Cynclair couldn't be definitively tied back to her. There wasn't enough evidence."

My hand tightened around the phone.

"That's bullshit," I said coldly.

"That's the law," Morrison replied. "Look, I know you're upset, but my hands were tied. The judge granted bail. Someone posted it. She walked. End of story."

"Who posted it?" I demanded.

Silence.

"Morrison," I growled. "Who posted her bail?"

"I can't disclose that information," he said carefully.

"Can't or won't?"

"Both," Morrison said. "But if I were you, I'd focus less on Anna and more on making sure your family is safe."

My blood ran cold.

"What does that mean?"

"It means," Morrison said slowly, "that Anna isn't the only person you should be worried about right now."

"Are you talking about Pascal?" I asked.

Another pause.

"Just… be careful, Walker," Morrison said finally. "And keep your people close."

The line went dead.

I stared at the phone, fury and fear warring inside me.

Pascal had posted Anna's bail.

"Damn it," I muttered.

I found Anna in the kitchen.

She was sitting at the island, sipping coffee like she belonged here, like she hadn't just been released from jail, like she wasn't actively working with a man who wanted to destroy my family.

Hayden sat beside her, quietly eating toast, her small legs swinging beneath the stool.

The moment I stepped into the room, Anna looked up and smiled.

That same infuriating smile.

"Good morning, Ethan," she said brightly.

"Get out," I said flatly.

Her smile didn't falter.

"I know," she said calmly. "I was planning to leave this morning anyway."

I blinked, surprised.

Unless she'd gotten what she came for.

My stomach dropped.

I turned and sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time, heading straight for Anna's old room.

I shoved the door open.

The room looked untouched.

I moved to the closet, yanking it open.

Empty.

"Damn it," I muttered.

I forced myself to push the thought aside as I headed toward Amber's room.

My son was still asleep, curled up beneath his blankets, his stuffed bear clutched against his chest.

I stood in the doorway for a long moment, just watching him breathe.

He looked so peaceful.

So innocent.

Completely unaware of the chaos swirling around him.

I wanted to keep it that way.

I wanted to protect him from all of it—from Anna, from Pascal, from the lies and betrayals that had defined my life for too long.

I crossed the room quietly and kissed his forehead.

"I love you, buddy," I whispered.

Amber stirred slightly but didn't wake.

I left the room and closed the door softly behind me.

Then I grabbed my keys.

It was time to confront Grace.

Time to get answers.