The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 45

#45

Chapter 45

Ethan’s POV

The dining room was quiet. Amber sat across from me, pushing his food around his plate without much enthusiasm. My mother, Grace was at the head of the table, composed as always, occasionally making comments about Afnber’s posture or table

manners.

It was a typical Walker family lunch…formal, controlled, lacking warmth.

Then Anna strolled in with Hayden.

I looked up, startled. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

Anna smiled that bright, effortless smile she always wore when she wanted something. “Oh, Ethan. Since when did I tell you before coming over?”

She was right. She’d been doing this for years, even when Cynthia was around – walking into my house whenever she pleased.

And I was just beginning to realize how much it annoyed me.

Maybe it had always annoyed me, and I’d just been too guilty or too indifferent to care. But lately, everything about Anna grated on me. The way she spoke about Cynthia to Amber. The cruel little comments she’d made, the seeds of doubt she’d planted in my son’s mind. 1

I knew Anna had said those things but I couldn’t bring myself to confront her about it.

Because what would happen if I did? She’d either turn it around on me, make me the villain or she’d blame Amber for ” misunderstanding” or “being too sensitive.” or she’d cry and make herself the victim.

I couldn’t trust her anymore. That was the truth of it.

One of the maids appeared to take Hayden, and Anna settled into the chair beside Amber with practiced ease, reaching for the serving dishes.

“How was your morning, sweetheart?” she asked Amber, her voice dripping with maternal warmth that felt increasingly performative.

Amber mumbled something noncommittal and continued pushing his food around.

My phone buzzed on the table.

Unknown number.

I almost ignored it, probably another business call, another problem that needed solving. But something made me pick it up.

“Hello?”

“Ethan.”

My heart stopped.

Even after three years, with just one word, I would know that voice anywhere.

Cynthia.

“Please set up a meeting with Amber,” she said, her tone formal, distant. “I would love to meet him.”

Then she hung up.

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I couldn’t contain the surge of emotion that flooded through me… relief, excitement, hope. My chest felt lighter than it had in

weeks… actually years.

She wanted to see Amber. She was ready to reconnect. Did that mean…?

No. Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ethan.

But I couldn’t help it. The possibilities were already spinning through my mind. If she was willing to see Amber, maybe she was willing to talk. Maybe she was willing to listen. Maybe there was still a chance to fix this, to fix us.

I realized I was smiling widely and genuinely, for the first time in what felt like forever.

“You seem in a good mood,” Anna said, her voice sharp with curiosity. “Who was that?”

I looked up to find all three of them staring at me, Anna with suspicion, my mother with calculation, and Amber with cautious curiosity.

Well, this should be good news, shouldn’t it? Amber was finally going to reconnect with his mother after three years. There was no reason to hide it.

“Amber,” I said, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. “What do you think is the best gift someone could give you right now?”

He looked at me warily, like he thought this was some kind of trick. “Um, I don’t know.” He shrugged, returning his attention to his plate. “Bring back my mom?” 1

He said it so casually, so hopelessly, like it was an impossible wish he’d stopped believing in.

My smile widened. “Well, I’m about to give you that gift.”

The fork fell from Amber’s hand, clattering against his plate. “What?”

“What?” Anna and Grace exclaimed in unison, their voices sharp and alarmed.

“Cynthia just called,” I said, looking directly at Amber, watching his face transform. “She is back and she wants a meeting with

you. She wants to see you.”

For a moment, there was complete silence.

Then Amber’s face crumpled with overwhelming emotion. His eyes went wide, his mouth opened but no sound came out.

“OH MY GOODNESS!” he finally screamed, the sound pure and uninhibited joy. 1

He shoved his chair back so hard it nearly toppled, and then he was running around the table toward me. He crashed into my arms with the force of a small hurricane, his thin arms wrapping around my neck.

“Mom wants to see me?” His voice was muffled against my shoulder, trembling. “Really? She really wants to see me?”

“Yes, buddy,” I said, hugging him tight. “She really does.”

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