All Chapters of The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return: Chapter 281 - Chapter 290

Chapter 281Cynthia's POVFive months since Ethan had disappeared from that warehouse, leaving behind nothing but blood and unanswered questions.One hundred and fifty-two days of waking up each morning and forcing myself to believe that today might be the day we'd finally get answers, living in a suspended state between hope and despair, between moving forward and standing completely still.But I hadn't given up.I'd promised Kevin I wouldn't, and I'd meant it.So I'd pulled myself together, piece by painful piece. I'd gotten out of bed. I'd started eating regularly again. I'd left Amber at Nathaniel and Helen's visiting as often as possible and promising him that things would get better, even though I wasn't entirely sure I believed it myself.And I'd started building something new.A restaurant here in Missford.Not to replace Maison Cynclair in Paris, but to give myself something to focus on besides the endless waiting. Something concrete and real that I could pour my energy into

Chapter 283Third Person POVAnna sat back in her chair, her expression calculating despite the tears still wet on her cheeks."I'll take you to the place," she said quietly. "But I need guarantees."Detective Susan raised an eyebrow. "Guarantees?""A comfortable prison," Anna said, meeting the detective's gaze steadily. "Less restrictive. Protection from Grace and Pascal if they're ever caught. And assurance that Hayden will be cared for properly while I'm serving my sentence."Detective Susan's jaw tightened. "You're in no position to make demands, Ms. Walker.""Then I guess you'll have to find the cabin on your own," Anna replied, her voice hardening slightly. "Good luck with that. It's not on any official records. Jerome bought it under a shell company that doesn't exist anymore."Cynthia leaned forward, her hands flat on the table."Anna," she said quietly. "Please. If you know where Ethan is, just tell us. Don't make this about…""I'm not making this about anything except surviv

Chapter 285Cynthia's POVI was reviewing the final menu selections for the restaurant's soft opening when Bryan walked in.Right on schedule, as he had been for the past few weeks. Almost every evening after work, Bryan would stop by, ostensibly to check on the progress of the restaurant, but really — I suspected to check on me."Hey," he said, offering a tired smile as he approached the table where I was working."Hey yourself," I replied, setting down the menu mock-ups. "Long day?""Aren't they all?" Bryan said, pulling out a chair and sitting across from me. "How are you feeling?"The question had become routine between us, but today, for the first time in months, my answer was different."Hopeful," I said, and I couldn't keep the smile from spreading across my face. "Really, genuinely hopeful, Bryan."Bryan's expression shifted slightly, something flickering in his eyes that I couldn't quite read."The DNA results came back," I continued, the words tumbling out in a rush. "From t

Chapter 287Cynthia's POVNikolai had insisted on staying to help me close up the restaurant.We moved through the space together in comfortable rhythm—him wiping down the counters in the prep area while I organized the sample menus and design sketches I'd been reviewing earlier."I still can't believe they actually found him," I said, breaking the silence. "After all this time, Pascal was just... here. In Missford. The whole time."Nikolai looked up from the counter he was cleaning, his expression thoughtful."It makes sense, though," he said. "Sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight. The police were searching everywhere except right under their noses.""But now they have him," I said, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. "Or they're close to having him. And once they do, he'll have to tell them where Ethan is. He'll have to—"My voice caught, emotion threatening to overwhelm me.Nikolai set down the cloth he'd been using and crossed the kitchen to stand beside me.

Chapter 289Cynthia's POVI was still trying to figure out how to politely extract my hand from Nikolai's when he suddenly smiled and said, "I have something for you."Before I could respond, he stood up from his seat and moved around the table to stand behind me."Nikolai, what are you…" I started.I felt something cool and delicate settle against my collarbone, heard the soft click of a clasp being fastened at the nape of my neck.A necklace.He'd put a necklace on me."There," Nikolai said, his voice warm with satisfaction. "Perfect."I reached up instinctively, my fingers finding the pendant—something smooth and substantial, probably expensive if I had to guess based on the weight of it."What is this?" I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I'd intended.Nikolai returned to his seat, looking pleased with himself."Just something I saw on my way to your restaurant," he said casually. "I thought it would be beautiful on you."The words hung in the air between us.Just something