The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 304

Chapter 304

Cynthia's POV

"Nikolai," I said, and the word came out strangled and awkward, like I'd just been caught doing something I shouldn't.

My face burned with embarrassment, my heart still racing from how close Bryan had been, from what had almost happened.

Nikolai stood in the doorway with that carefully neutral expression, like he hadn't just walked in on Bryan about to kiss me. Like he hadn't noticed the charged atmosphere or the way my hands were shaking slightly.

And I was grateful for it.

Grateful that he was giving me the grace of pretending this wasn't as mortifying as it felt.

My mind was spinning.

Would Bryan actually have kissed me if Nikolai hadn't shown up?

What the hell was he thinking?

Bryan had been Ethan's best friend for years and he'd just tried to—

I couldn't even finish the thought.

"I'm going to make breakfast," I said abruptly, needing to do something with my hands, needing to focus on something other than the uncomfortable tension filling the kitchen. "Both of you should take a seat in the VIP booth. You both look like you're starving."

It was a lie.

Neither of them looked particularly hungry.

But I needed them out of the kitchen. Needed space to breathe and think and process what had just happened.

Nikolai nodded easily. "That sounds wonderful."

Bryan hesitated, his expression still tight with whatever emotions he was struggling with, but finally he nodded too.

They left the kitchen, and I heard them settling into the booth — the private corner section I usually reserved for important guests or people who wanted discretion.

I took a deep breath and got to work.

Cooking always helped me think. The familiar motions, the precise measurements, the controlled heat—it all gave my mind something to focus on besides the chaos.

I made omelets with fresh herbs and gruyere, crispy hash browns, perfectly toasted bread with homemade jam, fresh fruit arranged artfully on the plates.

More food than two people could reasonably eat, but I kept cooking anyway because it kept my hands busy and my mind occupied.

My phone rang while I was plating the omelets.

Kevin's name flashed on the screen.

I answered, tucking the phone between my shoulder and ear while I continued working.

"Hey," I said.

"Morning, Cici," Kevin's voice came through, warm and cheerful. "I'm heading to your restaurant right now. Quick question — do you like chocolate?"

Despite everything, I felt a smile tugging at my lips.

"What are you up to?" I asked suspiciously.

"Just answer the question," Kevin said. "Chocolate. Yes or no?"

"Yes," I said. "I love chocolate. You know that."

"Perfect," Kevin said, and I could hear the grin in his voice. "See you in ten minutes."

He hung up before I could ask what he was planning.

I finished plating the food and carried it out to the VIP booth where Nikolai and Bryan sat in uncomfortable silence on opposite sides of the table.

The tension between them was palpable.

I set down the plates, and Bryan immediately stood.

"Actually," he said, not quite meeting my eyes, "I need to get to work. I have an early meeting I can't miss."

It was an obvious lie.

Bryan ran his own company. He didn't have bosses to answer to or meetings he couldn't reschedule.

But I didn't call him out on it.

"Okay," I said quietly. "Thanks for stopping by."

Bryan nodded stiffly and headed for the exit, pulling out his phone as he went.

I watched him leave, feeling a confusing mixture of relief and guilt.

"He's acting suspicious," Nikolai said once Bryan was gone.

I turned to look at him.

"What do you mean?"

Nikolai gestured toward the door. "His phone has been ringing nonstop. Did you notice? Every few minutes. And he kept ignoring the calls, but he looked... tense. Like he was expecting bad news."

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