LOGINChapter 115 Ethan's POV I was enraged. Absolutely, completely enraged in a way I hadn't felt in years. My blood was boiling, my vision narrowing to a pinpoint focus on the phone in my hand and the woman standing in front of me. How could Bryan, not waste an ounce of time before hitting on Cynthia? It had been what, two days since he'd sat in my study and told me he had feelings for her? Two days since he'd asked for my blessing? And now he was already making plans with her. Already establishing this comfortable, casual rapport. Already inserting himself into her life like he belonged there. And Cynthia had agreed to meet him. Just like that. Without hesitation. Without even mentioning it to me. Not that she owed me an explanation, apparently. I gripped the phone tightly, my knuckles white, my gaze fixed on Cynthia. She was looking at me with that expression I'd come to recognize over the past few weeks, the one that said she didn't owe me an explanation. The one that said I
Chapter 114 Cynthia's POV "What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the way my traitorous heart was still racing. Ethan stood there in the hallway outside my classroom, looking completely out of place among the academic posters and bulletin boards. He was dressed impeccably as always — his hair perfectly styled, every inch the successful businessman. "I came to pay my wife a visit," Ethan said, his tone casual but his eyes intense, burning into mine with an intensity that made me want to look away. "Since my wife refused to meet me and even ignored my message." The possessiveness in his voice—"my wife"—made something twist uncomfortably in my chest. He had no right to that possessiveness. I rolled my eyes, gripping my bag tighter like it was a shield between us. "We're getting a divorce soon, Ethan. What do you want?" The words came out harsher than I'd intended, but I didn't take them back. He needed to understand that his sudden declarations
Chapter 113 Cynthia's POV I woke up to a text from three different men. 'Hey Cynthia, I hope you had a great night's rest. Can we meet today? I'm done with your project.' - Bryan. 'Hey Cynthia, I bet you had a cozy night. It's December! Happy new month! Can you smell Christmas? I can! Hope Amber loved the gifts.' - Nikolai. 'Amber got home safely after school, thank you. Sorry about the misunderstanding with Anna. I miss you. I want you. I love you. I'll see you today, whether you like it or not.' - Ethan. I scoffed and rolled my eyes, tossing my phone onto the nightstand. What was I going to do with my complicated life? Three men texting me before I'd even had my morning coffee. Three very different men with three very different expectations of me. Bryan, professional and eager, ready to deliver on his promise. Nikolai, charming and warm, making me smile despite myself. And Ethan... God, that man with his declarations and his certainty that he could just show up in my life
Chapter 112 Ethan's POVI got back from work and Anna was still there with Amber and Hayden.They were waiting for Mrs. Daniels, who was yet to serve dinner. I'd texted her earlier to hold off until I arrived home — I wanted at least one meal with my son, even if it meant sharing the table with Anna. Amber approached me with a warm hug the moment I walked through the dining room door, and so did little Hayden, toddling over on unsteady legs with her arms outstretched."Daddy!" Hayden called, and the word still felt wrong in my ears.Anna didn't spare me a glance, her attention fixed on her phone as she scrolled through something with sharp, aggressive swipes. I honestly didn't care. I expected her to react this way over the fact that I insisted Cynthia picked up Amber instead of her. Mrs. Daniels served dinner—roasted chicken, vegetables, mashed potatoes. Simple, comforting food that Amber loved.We ate in near silence, the only sounds the clinking of silverware against plates and
Chapter 111 Cynthia's POV When I got home, I was greeted by a worried Kevin who was pacing in the foyer. "I almost called you," he said the moment I walked through the door, his expression tight with concern. "What happened? Why did you dismiss the security guys?" I set my purse down on the console table and sighed. "I had to drop off Amber at his school and then take him back to the Walker mansion. I really didn't want Amber seeing some men following his mother around and feeling like Mom isn't secure or something. It would've raised questions I'm not ready to answer." Kevin's frown deepened. "Cynthia, those men are there for your protection. Especially after everything with Anna and the restaurant sabotage..." "I know, Kevin. I know." I held up a hand to stop him. "But it was broad daylight, a school pickup. I wasn't in any danger." "You don't know that," Kevin insisted, his protective older brother instincts in full force. "Please don't do it again. At least not withou
Chapter 110 Cynthia's POV Amber and I dropped by a restaurant to buy ice cream—a small, family-owned place he insisted made the best chocolate chip in all of Missford. As we sat in a corner booth with our cones, Amber suddenly reached into his backpack and pulled out an envelope. "I have something for you, Mom," he said, his voice taking on that shy quality he had when he was nervous about something. "What is it, sweetheart?" "It's a present. I wanted to give it to you the first time we were supposed to meet, but..." He trailed off, and I felt that familiar stab of guilt. "But you weren't able to make it. So I kept it and I've been waiting for this day to give it to you." He held out the envelope, which had been wrapped carefully with tape, decorated with crayon drawings of what looked like flowers and hearts. My throat tightened with emotion. "Amber, you didn't have to..." "Please don't open it until you get home," he interrupted, pressing it into my hands. "Promise?







