The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 96

#96

Chapter 96

Ethan’s POV

I saw the caller ID before she turned the phone away.

Nikolai Cross.

My chest constricted immediately, a tight band of something ugly wrapping around my ribs.

“I need to take this,” Cynthia said, not quite meeting my eyes. “Can you supervise Amber?”

She didn’t wait for my response. Just walked away, heading toward a quieter comer of the arcade where the noise was slightly

reduced.

I could still see her, phone pressed to her car, her free hand gesturing as she spoke.

But I couldn’t hear what she was saying to him.

My jaw clenched involuntarily.

I hated this. Hated that Cynthia had so many men in her life now. Revin Laurent, that man with the kid, this Nikolai Cross. Probably others I didn’t even know about yet.

Since when had I been in a competition?

Since when had I needed to fight for my own wife’s attention?

“Dad! Did you see that?” Amber’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“Yeah, buddy. Great job,” I said automatically, not having seen whatever he’d done.

He didn’t seem to notice my distraction, already turning back to his game with his new friends.

I turned my attention back to Cynthia.

She was laughing now, her whole face lighting up with genuine amusement at whatever Nikolai was saying.

It annoyed me so much.

When was the last time I’d made her laugh like that? When was the last time she’d looked that relaxed, that happy, talking to me?

I pulled out my phone, my thumb moving almost automatically as I opened my contacts and called my assistant.

“Mr. Walker?” Margret answered on the second ring.

“Find out who Nikolai Cross is,” I said, keeping my voice low so Amber wouldn’t overhear. “Everything. Background, occupation, connections. I want a full report by tomorrow.”

“Of course, sir. Should I prioritize…”

“Yes. Prioritize it.”

I hung up without waiting for a response.

I knew some things already. After seeing Nikolai for the second time, first at the gala where I’d watched him dance with Cynthia, and then at the university when he had interrupted our discussion.

Nikolai Cross was a professor at Missford University. A 25 years old was impressive but I needed to know more.

DRE

+40 Bonus

He keeps appearing everywhere around Cynthia, I thought he was with that doctor lady? Why is he calling Cynthia and why was she smiling like that, like whatever he was saying was the most delightful thing she’d heard all day?

My phone buzzed with an incoming text.

Bryan: Drinks at your place tonight? Just you and I. Need to speak to you about something.

I stared at the message, already knowing exactly what Bryan wanted to talk about.

He was obviously going to ask what I was doing with Cynthia. Going to demand an explanation for why I was playing happy family with her after explicitly telling him I’d never loved her. I had changed the topic to business talks back at the anime shop, but I guess there is no running from it now.

I typed out a response: Sure. Around 9?

The reply came immediately: Perfect. See you then.

I pocketed my phone and looked back at Cynthia.

She was still on the phone.

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