The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 178: A joyous morning

Ethan’s phone buzzed on the mahogany desk, the commissioner’s name flashing on the screen. He picked up, tension already coiling in his chest.

"She’s in custody," came the voice on the other end, clipped but satisfied. "Lucy was arrested this morning. Someone tipped us off, said she was armed, dangerous. That got the warrant pushed through fast."

Ethan’s brow furrowed. Who? Who made that call? He didn’t ask out loud. Just muttered a gruff, "Good," before hanging up, the phone heavy in his hand. frёeωebɳovel.com

At the same time, halfway across town, Steve was knocking gently on Mara’s bedroom door.

"Stef?" His voice was soft, careful.

Inside, Mara was still tangled in the sheets, her hair a messy halo against the pillow. The room was warm with morning light, the curtains drawn just enough for the sun to slip through in golden streaks.

"Yeah?" she murmured, voice thick with sleep.

Steve stepped in, a rare smile on his face. "You’re gonna want to hear this. Lucy... she’s been arrested."

Mara sat up slowly, the words settling into her like warm tea on a cold day. A beat, then a smile, small at first, then growing, tugging at her lips until it felt too big for her face.

She tilted her head, and that’s when she saw them.

Two tiny cribs by the window, the soft shuffle of little feet at the doorway. The nannies had arrived, cradling the twins in their arms, pink cheeks, wide eyes, tiny fingers curling in the morning light.

Her heart cracked open.

The best morning she’d had in years.

"Oh, come here, my little cuties," Mara whispered, her voice a tremble of joy.

The nannies brought them in, placing the babies gently in her arms. She pulled them close, burying her face in their downy hair as their giggles bubbled up, filling the room like music. She laughed with them, tears pricking her eyes, not from sadness but from something she hadn’t felt in so long she’d almost forgotten it.

Peace. Hope. A new Chapter.

You won’t grow up in fear. You won’t have to run. I swear to you, my loves, you will never know the darkness I did. No one will take you from me. Not ever.

She brushed a kiss to each tiny forehead, tasting salt and hope. Lucy’s gone, she thought. The storm is over.

After the twins were fed and the room settled into a gentle hush, Mara rose and moved to the window. The sky was a perfect sight of soft blue, sunlight painting the earth in warm gold. She could hear the faint hum of the city waking beyond the gates, but in here, it was peace.

She cradled baby Andrew against her chest, his tiny breaths a steady rhythm against her heart, and called down to the driver.

"Get the car ready," she said, her voice light for the first time in years. "We’re going shopping. My little Andrew needs new things."

The driver tipped his head, a knowing smile breaking through, and hurried off.

Soon after, Mara joined her brothers for breakfast in the sun-drenched dining room. Steve, Stanford, Stefan, and Stanley were already seated, the table set with fresh fruit, eggs, warm bread, and coffee. The twins were in their bassinets nearby, cooing softly as the conversation danced between teasing and plans for the day.

For the first time in what felt like forever, it wasn’t about threats, or missing persons, or betrayals cloaked in silk.

It was just... family.

Laughter came easily, stories spilled out. Steve cracked a joke that made Stanford nearly spit his coffee, and Stanford, always the serious one, even allowed himself a crooked grin.

Mara soaked it in like sunlight.

After breakfast, she nestled both Andrew and Audrey gently into their car seats, careful with their tiny arms, making sure their blanket was snug. Andrew’s eyelids fluttered but stayed closed, content in his little world.

As the car pulled toward the gate, another car eased up behind it. A sleek, familiar one.

Mara’s heart gave a small jump.

The door opened, and there she was.

Vera.

A little thinner, hair tucked back in a loose braid, sunglasses hiding tired eyes — but there was no mistaking her. The moment their gazes met, Vera broke into a wide, teary smile and practically ran to her.

"Staf," she breathed, pulling her into a fierce hug.

Mara clung to her, the ache of missed time and too many unsaid things melting between them.

"I missed you," Mara whispered, her voice cracking.

"Missed you more," Vera laughed through a sniffle, pulling back to swipe at her cheeks. She glanced down at Andrew and let out a soft, astonished gasp. "He’s beautiful."

Mara smiled, her heart swelling. "He is my Andrew."

Vera’s face lit up like the sun itself. "When I found out he was yours... not Lucy’s. God, Stef. You don’t know how happy that made me. That woman... she never deserved this life. You did."

Mara felt a lump rise in her throat.

"Come with us," she blurted, suddenly needing her friend and cousin beside her. "We’re going shopping for baby things, come with us and tell me all about your paintings."

Vera grinned, sliding her sunglasses up into her hair. "You couldn’t leave me behind if you tried."

And just like that, it felt like Mara’s world was stitching itself back together. The gates opened as the car rolled out.

They talked.

At first, it was surface stuff, how long it had been, how good it felt to see each other, how the city had changed in small, forgettable ways. But as the car eased through traffic, the conversation slipped into deeper waters.

"I knew you would come back," Vera confessed quietly, watching the buildings blur past the window. Mara laughed, a soft, aching sound. "Yeah, well, I never thought this day would come, but here we are, I have my son."

"It’s over now!" Vera grinned, nudging her shoulder.

They pulled up to a boutique baby store, one of those places with pale wood floors, soft lighting, and clothes so tiny it made your heart ache. The bell above the door chimed as they entered, the faint scent of vanilla and new fabric floating in the air.

The nannies trailed in behind with the twins, and instantly, the shop attendants descended, cooing over the babies like they were tiny royalty.

Mara and Vera wandered between racks of pastel onesies, soft-knit blankets, and tiny shoes no bigger than a thumbprint.

"Oh my God, look at this," Vera laughed, holding up a little denim jacket. "He’s gonna look like a rockstar."

"Put it in the cart," Mara grinned. "He’s got a reputation to uphold."