The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 70

#70

Chapter 70

Cynthia’s POV

I sat on my bed, the envelope containing the divorce papers resting on my bedside table like a ticking time bomb.

How was I supposed to give them to him?

Should I mail them? Have a lawyer deliver them formally? Hand them over in person?

And more importantly, how would he react?

Would he be glad? Relieved that I was finally setting him free so he could marry Anna and make their little family official? Maybe he’d even thank me for making it easy on him.

Or would he be nonchalant about it? Indifferent, the way he’d been about everything during our years of marriage. Just sign the papers without a second glance, the same way he used to sign off on household expenses without ever looking at me.

I stared at the envelope, my thoughts spiraling.

The divorce documents didn’t mention custody. I’d made sure of that. I had no plans to fight for Amber, not because I didn’t want him, but because I knew the reality. Amber was closer to his father. He’d spent three years building a life without me. And as much as it killed me to admit it, he seemed to like Anna.

What right did I have to uproot him now?

I shook my head, frustrated with myself.

Why was I even overthinking this?

Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed my phone and typed out a text.

I guess Amber is home from the hospital. Can I make it up to him? I’d like to see him again.

I hit send and immediately regretted it.

Too desperate? Too casual? Should I have apologized again?

I tossed my phone onto the bed and flopped back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling.

Minutes passed. Then an hour.

I checked my phone obsessively. Nothing from Ethan. Just two automated messages from the network, promotional garbage that made my heart leap and then sink each time.

I tried to distract myself. Scrolled through emails. Read a few articles about restaurant trends. Attempted to close my eyes and

rest.

Nothing worked.

My phone buzzed.

I snatched it up so fast I nearly dropped it.

A call. Incoming call.

Without looking at the caller ID, I answered immediately. “Hello?”

“Cynthia! Finally, you picked up!”

+25 Bonus

My heart sank.

Not Ethan. Mallida.

“Hey,” I said, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. “What’s up?”

“I’m calling to rescue you from whatever pit of despair you’re currently wallowing in,” Matilda announced cheerfully. “Come out with me tonight. Euphoria Club. Dancing, drinks, terrible decisions, exactly what you need,”

“I don’t think…”

“Don’t think! That’s the whole point. You need a distraction. Something fun for once.”

I laughed.

“Clubs aren’t really my thing, Matilda,”

“They weren’t your thing when you were Cynthia Walker, sad housewife. But you’re Cynthia Cynclair now chef, secret billionaire heiress, woman who takes no shit. That Cynthia deserves a night out.”

She had a point. But no.

“I appreciate the offer,” I said gently. “Really. But I think I just need to stay in tonight. Maybe another time?”

Matilda sighed dramatically. “Fine. But I’m holding you to that ‘another time.‘ You owe me a girls‘ night out.”

“Deal.”

“Take care of yourself, Cynthia.”

“Goodnight, Matilda.”

“Night, babe.”

I hung up and set my phone aside, her words echoing in my head.

A knock on my door made me jump.

“Yeah?”

Kevin poked his head in, already dressed to go out–fitted shirt, styled hair, that easy grin he wore like armor.

“Hey, Cici. Want to step out for a bit? Get some fresh air? Maybe grab a drink?”

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