The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 117: It’s okay, don’t come back

Ethan had had enough.

He stormed into the room Lucy had made hers, tossing her designer heels off the bed and slamming the door shut.

She was painting her nails, humming. "You’ve lost your mind," he said.

Lucy looked up slowly. "Relax, sweetheart. This kind of stress isn’t good for me—or the baby."

"If there’s a baby," Ethan snapped. "And if it’s even mine."

She chuckled. "You’ve seen the tests. What more do you want?"

"A time machine," he spat. "To undo whatever night you’re pretending happened."

Lucy stood up, sauntering toward him. "You don’t need to love me. You don’t even need to like me. Just take care of me. Give me what you gave Mara, and we’ll both be at peace."

"You’re nothing like Mara."

She leaned in closer. "Exactly. I’m smarter."

He took a step back, disgusted. "You think this makes you powerful? It makes you pathetic. Thinking you could trap me in your fantasy and destroyed my family."

Lucy shrugged. "Then fix it. Smile for the cameras. Be the doting father. Let me be your peace, Ethan."

He left the room before he said something he couldn’t take back. fгeewebnovёl.com

–

Ethan stood outside Mara’s office at the foundation, Valerie had mentioned Mara would be passing through. It was the only place he could meet her since the Shepherd law firm and mansion were out of the question.

He’d been knocking for ten minutes, thanks to the incident with Philip, Mara had her office heavily locked, and no one came in without her giving them access.

"Mara. Please. Just hear me out."

Nothing.

He leaned his head against the door, voice softer now. "I know how this looks. But I swear, I didn’t sleep with her. I’m trying to figure it out, but she’s... she’s playing games, and I don’t know how to stop it without hurting everyone."

Still silence.

"Mara," he tried again, "I know I messed up—God, I know. But don’t let her be the reason you give up on me."

The door didn’t open.

Instead, Mara’s voice came through flat, cold, final.

"I stopped opening the door for liars a long time ago, Ethan. Go home. To your problem."

He closed his eyes.

—

Somewhere far... far from Home

Maria-Isbel sat behind the teller’s glass at the small local bank, her smile strained, her energy dimmed. It was nothing like the life she once imagined, but it was hers. Quiet, anonymous, safe.

Well... mostly.

"Smile a little more, Maria," a male colleague said as he leaned too close behind her desk. "Or they might think we treat our customers like nuns here."

She pushed her chair back sharply. "Don’t come near me like that again."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, smirking. "You don’t scare me."

"Good," she snapped, grabbing the small office paperweight and slamming it on the desk between them. "Because I’m not trying to scare you. I’ll hurt you."

Before he could respond, she stormed out of the bank into the cool evening breeze, heart pounding, hands shaking. Her baby bump pressed softly against her loose blouse an undeniable reminder of all the choices and consequences she now carried.

She walked down the alley, her breaths ragged, and leaned against the stone wall.

Enough hiding.

Maria-Isbel pulled out her phone, thumb hovering over the one contact she’d never dared dial again.

Mara.

This time she didn’t hesitate. "This number is no longer in service." the voice machine replied. She stared at the screen as if it had slapped her. She had waited too long.

Letting out a shaky breath, she tucked the phone away and walked slowly back to her apartment. Her keys jingled softly as she opened the worn door and stepped into the quiet space.

The silence greeted her like an old friend.

She dropped her purse, sat on the edge of the bed, and rested her hand over her belly.

"I’m sorry," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "To you. To Mara. To myself."

Back in the City – Shepherd Estate

Mara sat by her bedroom window, legs curled beneath her, journal unopened in her lap. Her eyes weren’t on the pages. They were far away.

She didn’t know why—but her thoughts drifted to Maria-Isbel.

She hadn’t seen her since that night. The confrontation. The betrayal.

But the look on Maria’s face that night—it wasn’t pride. It wasn’t arrogance. It was a shame.

Where was she now? Was she okay? Did she even regret it?

Mara exhaled deeply and shut her eyes. It didn’t matter anymore. But some part of her heart still wanted answers she might never get.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," she said, sitting upright.

Stanley stepped in, casual but with a warm smile on his face. "Hey."

"Hey. You okay?" she asked.

He nodded and scratched the back of his neck. "I want to ask you for a favor."

She tilted her head. "Shoot."

"I want you to meet someone. Rhina is in town. And... before the rest of the brothers get their hands on her with all their overprotectiveness, I’d rather she meets you first."

Mara’s brow rose slightly, then a small smile tugged at her lips. "You want me to screen your girl?"

"I trust you, Stef. You’re the only one who knows how to read people, not just impress them. I want you to meet her first."

Her smile grew. "In that case, yes. I’d love to meet her."

"Tomorrow night?"

"Done."

Stanley nodded, gave her a gentle kiss on the head, and walked out. Mara looked back out the window, her fingers brushing her notebook. Maybe, just maybe life still had some good Chapters ahead.

Early in the morning, Stanley reminds Mara not to forget, while the rest asked what was going on, but Mara said nothing. Surprisingly her day went by very fast.

—

Mara stepped into the quaint little garden café, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she scanned the tables. Stanley had picked the spot private enough for a quiet talk, charming enough to feel like a breath of fresh air.

And there she was.

Rhina stood as soon as she saw Mara, offering a soft smile that looked genuinely nervous.

"Hi... Stefania, right?" she said.

Mara smiled and stepped forward, pulling her into a light hug. "That’s me. You must be Rhina. Stanley doesn’t shut up about you."

Rhina laughed, her nerves easing a bit. "He doesn’t shut up about you either, so I guess we’re even."

They sat, placing their orders tea for Mara, a caramel latte for Rhina and soon the conversation flowed easier than either of them expected.

They talked about childhood dreams, embarrassing moments, and fashion mishaps, and somehow ended up laughing about the time Mara nearly burned down the kitchen trying to make Stanford’s birthday cake.

"I don’t think I’ve laughed like this in weeks," Mara said, dabbing her eyes with a napkin.

Rhina smiled. "I’ve been terrified about meeting Stanley’s brothers, but you make it feel like I’ll be okay."

"You will," Mara said sincerely. "They’re intense, but they love hard. Just be real with them. Especially with Steve he can smell fake a mile away."

Rhina chuckled. "I’ll remember that."

They finished up their drinks, stood, and began walking toward the exit when Rhina’s phone buzzed in her coat pocket.

She pulled it out casually, glanced down and froze.

Her face went pale for a second, lips tightening.

Mara noticed. "Hey... you, okay?"

Rhina quickly flipped the phone over. "Yeah. Just... work. Always something."

Mara gave her a look. "Are you sure?"

Rhina forced a smile. "Positive."

But she wasn’t.

The message had been clear:

"Wait for your next instruction."

Just that. No sender. No name. Nothing. Just like the last two times.

She swallowed hard, pushing the phone deep into her pocket, silently praying that Mara didn’t see how her hand was shaking.

Because Rhina had come here on an assignment. Clearly... to do Philip’s bidding.