The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife novel Chapter 181

The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire’s Ex–Wife

Chapter 181: Midnight Dilemma

Angela

POV

Just as I began to unbutton Sean’s shirt, his hand shot up and seized my wrist. His grip was firm but not painful, startling me nonetheless.

“The washcloth and water are right here,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Since you’re awake now, you can handle this yourself… ah!”

My words ended in a gasp as Sean suddenly pulled me toward him. Before I could react, I found myself beneath him on the sofa, my wrists pinned above my head.

His face hovered inches from mine, his breathing labored but controlled.

“Sean, what are you doing?” I demanded, keeping my voice low despite my racing heart. The children were sleeping just down the hall–the last thing I needed was for them to witness this scene.

“Don’t worry,” he murmured, his voice strained. “I won’t hurt you.”

I could feel the heat radiating from his body, see the struggle playing out in his features–desire warring with restraint,

For a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, neither of us moved. Then, his expression shifted.

The raw hunger in his gaze softened into something more controlled more deliberate. Slowly, he released my wrists and instead

cradled my face between his palms.

I held perfectly still, unsure what to expect. Sean leaned down, and I felt my heart thunder against my ribs. But instead of claiming my lips, he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead–achingly tender and heartbreakingly brief.

Then he was gone, pushing away from me with such sudden force that I barely registered his movement. He staggered to his feet

and lurched toward the hallway leading to my bedroom.

Seconds later, I heard the shower spray come to life–the unmistakable sound of cold water blasting at full pressure.

I pressed my palm against the bathroom door. “Sean?”

“Don’t come in,” he growled, his voice tight with strain.

“A cold shower should be enough,” I called through the door, irritation creeping into my concern. “Don’t do anything strange in

there.”

No response came except for his labored breathing.

“Sean, did you hear me?” I raised my voice slightly. “Sean!”

Still nothing. I turned away, frustrated by the entire situation.

I returned to the living room, collecting Sean’s water glass to take to the kitchen. After washing it thoroughly, I checked on the twins. Aria and Ethan remained peacefully asleep, blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding in their home.

Five minutes later, I found myself back at the bathroom door. The water was still running–how long did he intend to stay under that freezing spray?

“Sean?” I knocked again, more insistently this time..

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Chapter 181: Midnight Dilemma

Through the door, I could hear muffled sounds–controlled, stifled neises that could have been pain or something else entirely. The thought made heat crawl up my neck.

After a few more futile attempts, I gave up. Let him freeze if that’s what he wanted. I retreated to the living room, wrapping myself in a cashmere throw as I curled into the corner of the sofa. Despite my annoyance, worry gnawed at me.

I hurried to the bathroom door, pounding on it with renewed urgency. “Sean? Are you alright? Answer me!”

After a heart–stopping moment of silence, I heard the lock click. I pushed the door open and stepped into the steamy marble

bathroom.

Sean sat slumped against the wall beside the shower, his once–immaculate suit in ruins. His dark hair clung to his forehead in wet strands, and his lips had taken on a bluish tinge that alarmed me. I knelt beside him, pressing my palm to his cheek. His skin was ice cold.

“You idiot,” I murmured, my fear manifesting as anger. “Are you trying to make yourself sick?”

His eyes met mine, clear now of the drug–induced haze but glazed with exhaustion. The temperature of his skin told me the drug’s effects had passed, but at a dangerous cost.

I reached over and turrfed on the shower again, adjusting it to a warm temperature.

The warm water roared into the tub, steam billowing up in thick, swirling clouds that blurred the bathroom’s edges and fogged the

mirror.