The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 67

#67

Chapter 67

Cynthia’s POV

I’d come all this way… town across an ocean, abandoned my restaurant in crisis and I couldn’t even bring myself to walk into my son’s room.

Pathetic.

I pulled out my phone and called the security detail Nathaniel had arranged. “I’m ready to be picked up. Front entrance.”

“On our way, ma’am. Two minutes.”

I stood on the sidewalk, the cool evening air doing nothing to soothe the turmoil inside me. The black SUV appeared around the corner, pulling up to the curb.

I was reaching for the door handle when I heard my name.

“Cynthia?”

I froze and turned around.

Matilda stood there in blue scrubs, a hospital ID badge clipped to her chest, her hair pulled back in a practical ponytail. She looked exhausted but her eyes were bright with surprise.

“Matilda?” I blinked, genuinely shocked. “What are you doing here?”

“I work here,” she said, gesturing to her scrubs

Yeah right, she is a doctor, I didn’t even know she worked here.

She stepped closer, her expression shifting to concern. “I bumped into Kevin yesterday when he was leaving. He told me everything…about Amber, about Ethan calling security on him.” She paused. “About your restaurant.”

I didn’t know what to say. The coincidence of running into my friend here, of all places, felt almost too convenient. Like the universe was throwing me a lifeline.

“I wanted to see Amber,” I admitted, my voice cracking. “But I couldn’t… I saw them all in there. Ethan, Anna, Grace. I couldn’t face them.”

Matilda’s expression softened with understanding. Then it hardened with determination.

“I was doing rounds earlier,” she said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “I overheard Amber crying. Calling for his mommy.”

My heart clenched.

“Anna went to him,” Matilda continued. “Tried to comfort him but he wasn’t comforted,” Matilda added quickly. “He just kept crying. Kept asking for his real mom.” She met my eyes. “He needs you, Cynthia.”

Tears burned behind my eyes. “I’m… I’m embarrassed and don’t feel courageous enough to go in there with those vipers around.

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Matilda bit her lip, thinking. Then a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.

“I can get you in.”

“What?”

“I have legitimate reasons to be in that ward, to talk to his family about medications and recovery protocols.” She grabbed my

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arin. “I can distract Ethan. Keep him occupied while you slip in to see Amber.”

“Matilda,…”

“Shhh. Just do it” Her grip tightened. “Cynthia, that boy needs his mother. And you need to see him. Let me help.”

1 hesitated, torn between fear and desperate hope.

Before I could decide, movement near the hospital entrance caught my eye.

Anna and Grace were walking out.

Anna was talking animatedly, her hands gesturing as she spoke. Grace walked beside her, her expression pinched and disapproving as always. Neither of them looked in our direction as they headed toward the parking lot.

“Now,” Matilda whispered. “While they’re gone. This is our chance.”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me back into the hospital.

We moved quickly through the corridors, Matilda leading with confidence.

Outside Amber’s ward, she stopped.

“Wait here,” she instructed. “Let me get Ethan away.”

I pressed myself against the wall, my heart pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.

Matilda straightened her shoulders, put on a professional smile, and walked into the ward.

“Mr. Walker?” I heard her say. “I’m Dr. Reyes from the pediatric team. I need to discuss Amber’s post–operative medication schedule with you. There are some important instructions about his pain management and antibiotics.”

“Can’t this wait?” Ethan’s voice was tired, irritated.

“I’m afraid not. The pharmacy closes soon and I need to ensure you understand the dosing requirements before discharge tomorrow. It’ll only take a few minutes. Could you step over here where I can show you the charts?”

A pause. Then footsteps moving away from the door.

Matilda had positioned herself perfectly. Through the small window, I could see her guiding Ethan to the far side of the room, her back to the door, blocking his view.

Now or never.

I slipped inside.

The ward was dim, the overhead lights turned low for evening. Monitors beeped softly. And there, in the bed, was Amber.

My baby.

He looked so small, so fragile and lean, had he always been this thin? Dark circles shadowed his eyes. His skin was pale against the white hospital sheets. The bandages around his abdomen were visible where the blanket had shifted.

He was sleeping, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

I approached the bed slowly, my legs trembling, tears already streaming down my face. I couldn’t stop them. Didn’t even try.

I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

His eyes fluttered open.

For a moment, he just stared at me, confused, disoriented. Then recognition dawned.

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“Mom?”

His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

“Hi, baby,” I managed to say through my tears.

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