The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236

Cynthia's POV

When Kevin's car pulled through the gates of the Laurent mansion, I was exhausted — emotionally, physically, mentally drained in ways I hadn't thought possible.

All I wanted was to get inside, start cooking Amber's chicken sauce, and lose myself in something simple and familiar.

But the moment the mansion came into view, I froze.

There was a truck parked in front of the entrance.

A delivery truck.

Filled with flowers.

Roses. Lilies. Peonies. Hydrangeas. Every color imaginable, arranged in elegant bouquets, overflowing from the back of the truck like something out of a romantic movie.

"What the…" Kevin muttered beside me, slowing the car.

I stared, my mouth slightly open, my mind struggling to process what I was seeing.

Who would send this many flowers?

Then I saw Nikolai.

Standing beside the truck, leaning casually against the side, his hands in his pockets, looking completely at ease despite the absurdity of the scene.

When he saw my car approaching, he smiled.

That warm, genuine smile that reached his eyes.

And despite everything — despite the exhaustion, the sadness, the weight pressing down on my chest — I felt my lips curve upward in response.

Kevin let out a long, exaggerated sigh.

"Of course," he muttered. "Of course it's him."

I glanced at Kevin, catching the way he was rolling his eyes so hard I was surprised they didn't get stuck.

"Kevin," I said, unable to suppress a small laugh.

"What?" he said defensively. "I'm just… observing."

"You're jealous," I said.

"I am not jealous," Kevin shot back immediately. "I'm just… annoyed. He’s trying way too hard and… well, maybe he may stand a chance."

I shook my head, still smiling despite myself, and opened the car door.

The moment I stepped out, Nikolai moved.

He reached into the truck and pulled out a single rose — deep red, perfect, still glistening faintly with dew.

Then he walked toward me, his expression softening.

My heart did a small, traitorous flutter.

I hated that it did.

Because Nikolai was wonderful. Kind. Thoughtful. Genuine.

Everything a woman should want.

But my heart…

My heart was still tangled up with someone else.

Someone who'd just pushed me away in a hospital room.

Someone who was falling apart and wouldn't let me help.

Nikolai stopped in front of me, holding out the rose.

"Merry Christmas, Cynthia," he said quietly.

I took the rose carefully, my fingers brushing against his for just a second.

"Nikolai," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "What is all this?"

He glanced back at the truck, then back at me, his smile turning slightly sheepish.

"I may have gone a little overboard," he admitted.

"A little?" I repeated, laughing despite myself. "Nikolai, there's an entire truck full of flowers."

"I know," he said. "But I wanted to make you smile. And it worked, didn't it?"

I looked down at the rose in my hand, then back up at him.

I laughed, glancing back at Nikolai.

"Apparently," I said.

Helen squealed and rushed down the steps, practically vibrating with excitement as she approached the truck.

"This is amazing!" she exclaimed. "Cynthia, who did this?"

"Nikolai," I said, gesturing toward him.

Helen turned to Nikolai, her expression shifting into something between admiration and mischief.

"You," she said, pointing at him, "are officially my favorite person."

Nikolai laughed. "I'm honored."

Helen immediately started pulling bouquets out of the truck, cradling them like they were precious treasures.

"We're putting these everywhere," she declared. "The sitting room, the dining room, the hallways — oh, and I'm definitely keeping some for my room."

I shook my head, warmth spreading through my chest despite the exhaustion still clinging to me.

This was exactly what I needed.

A moment of lightness. Of joy. Of something simple and beautiful in the middle of all the chaos.

Kevin appeared beside me, his arms crossed, his expression still skeptical.

"I feel sad for him" Kevin muttered.

"Oh please, I’m sure he doesn’t have a motive other than to make me feel better" I said, although not believing myself.

Kevin rolled his eyes again but didn't argue.

Nikolai stepped closer to me, his voice lowering so only I could hear.

"Merry Christmas, Cynthia," he muttered.

"Merry Christmas, Nikolai," I replied.

And I heard another scream again behind me.

Goodness!