The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 232

Chapter 232

Ethan's POV

Everything hurt.

That was the first thing I registered when consciousness slowly dragged me back to the surface.

Not sharp pain. Not localized agony.

Just a dull, all-encompassing ache that seemed to radiate from every muscle, every bone, every inch of my body.

What the hell happened?

I blinked slowly, trying to focus, my vision swimming as fluorescent lights blurred above me.

I was in a hospital.

The drips.

I could feel them now—needles in my arms, IV lines snaking away from me, monitors beeping softly in the background.

I tried to move, and my body protested immediately, every muscle screaming at me to stay still.

I fell.

The memory came back in fragments.

Walking into the Walker mansion. Feeling dizzy. The floor rushing up to meet me. Mrs. Daniels' voice, distant and echoing, calling my name.

Mr. Walker! Oh my God! Mr. Walker!

Then nothing.

Darkness.

And now… this.

I heard movement beside me—soft footsteps, the rustle of fabric.

A doctor appeared in my peripheral vision, his eyes widening when he saw mine were open.

"Mr. Walker," he said quickly. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a truck," I muttered, my voice hoarse.

He smiled faintly. "Your family is here. Would you like me to bring them in?"

Family.

Amber.

"Yes," I said immediately.

He nodded and disappeared.

I closed my eyes again, trying to steady my breathing, trying to push past the exhaustion that still clung to me like a weight.

Then I heard footsteps. Multiple sets. Rushed.

The door opened.

"Daddy!"

Amber's voice.

My eyes snapped open.

And there he was.

My son. Running toward me, his face streaked with tears, his eyes red and swollen but filled with relief.

"Amber," I said, my voice cracking.

He launched himself at the bed, and I caught him as best I could, pulling him into as much of a hug as the IV lines would allow.

"I'm okay, buddy," I whispered into his hair. "I'm okay."

Amber sobbed into my chest, his small hands gripping my hospital gown like he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go.

"I was so scared," he choked out. "You wouldn't wake up and I thought—I thought…"

"Shh," I murmured, holding him tighter. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Then I looked up.

And saw Cynthia stood near the door, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her face pale, her eyes red-rimmed like she'd been crying.

Bryan stood beside her, silent and still, his expression unreadable.

Devian was there too, looking relieved but tense… and Kevin.

Kevin fucking Laurent.

Standing there. In my hospital room.

My chest tightened instantly, rage flaring hot and fast despite the exhaustion weighing me down.

I glared at him.

Kevin met my gaze evenly, his expression neutral, but I could see the flicker of something there—awareness, maybe. Understanding that he wasn't welcome.

I didn't say a word.

I just stared.

And slowly, deliberately, Kevin took a step back.

Then he turned and walked out of the room.

Good.

The door closed softly behind her.

Silence fell over the room.

Amber was still clinging to me, his face buried in my chest.

Devian stood near the foot of the bed, staring at me like I'd just committed murder.

I shifted my focus to Bryan who was still standing there.

Bryan, who had no right to be here.

Bryan, who had confessed to being in love with my wife and was now standing in my hospital room like he belonged.

I didn't need to say anything.

The look I gave him said it all.

Get out.

Bryan's jaw tightened.

For a moment, I thought he might argue.

But then he glanced at Devian, "I'll be outside," he said quietly.

Devian stared after him, clearly shocked.

"What the hell, man?" Devian muttered and grabbed Bryan's arm, stopping him from leaving.

"Wait," Devian said, his voice sharp. "What the hell is going on? Why are you leaving?"

Bryan glanced at me, then back at Devian.

"Because Ethan doesn't want me here," Bryan said flatly.

"And since when did you suddenly become someone Ethan would not want around?" Devian shot back.

Bryan didn't answer.

Devian turned to me, disbelief written all over his face.

"Seriously?" Devian demanded. "You're kicking out Bryan too?"

I didn't respond.

Because what could I say?

That Bryan was in love with my wife?

That every time I looked at him, all I could see was another man trying to take what was mine?

That his presence made me feel like I was losing control of everything?