The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 30: I will prove it

"Give it to me, I’ll take care of it. Kindly get me a glass of juice," Maria insisted, taking the freshly laundered clothes from the maid before she could protest.

With practiced ease, she carried the bundle up the stairs and into Mara and Ethan’s bedroom. Once inside, she let the clothes slip from her hands onto the bed, but instead of leaving, she walked around.

Her eyes drifted to the other side of the bed, the spot where Ethan slept. A slow, wistful smile curved her lips as she traced invisible patterns on his pillow with her fingertips. She lifted it, bringing it close, inhaling the faint scent that still clung to the fabric.

"Ethan..." she whispered, almost dreamily.

After a moment, she straightened and turned toward the closet. Running her hands through Mara’s clothes, she took her time, her fingers brushing over the silks and soft cotton as if weighing each option carefully. Then, her hand stilled, grasping a striking red dress.

Holding it up to herself in the mirror, she tilted her head, studying her reflection. The dress was unlike anything she usually wore her own clothes were modest, always covering her legs. But this... this dress was different. It hugged her curves, showed off the length of her legs, and accentuated her figure in a way that made her speechless.

A slow smile spread across her lips as she made her decision. She was going to put it on.

Just then, Maria’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen it was a message from Mara. Without hesitation, she opened it. Mara had sent her the address of the restaurant.

A slow, knowing smile curved Maria’s lips. She turned back to the mirror, adjusting the red dress one last time before scanning the closet for a pair of matching shoes. Slipping them on, she grabbed a pair of dark sunglasses, completing the transformation.

Dressed like Mara.

She stepped toward the door, but as she emerged into the hallway, she spotted the maid holding the glass of juice she had requested earlier. Maria froze for a second, pressing herself against the wall, her heart pounding.

The maid glanced around, seemingly confused about where Maria had disappeared.

Maria smirked to herself. Moving swiftly, she slipped past unseen and made her way toward the exit.

Moments later, she stepped outside and left the mansion—undetected.

Ethan and Mara arrived at the restaurant, they walked to their table Ethan pulled the chair for Mara to settle into the seat before taking the opposite seat as they waited for Maria. Ethan wasted no time ordering their food since Maria was taking too long and they were both hungry, They didn’t have any breakfast in the morning before leaving home and, in true fashion, spared no effort in flirting with his wife. Mara laughed softly, enjoying the attention.

Meanwhile, Maria had already arrived. But instead of joining them, she lingered in the shadows, watching. Her eyes darkened as she took in how effortlessly happy Mara and Ethan looked together.

Mara glanced at her phone, frowning. "What’s taking Maria so long?" she muttered, dialing her number. The call rang, but Maria didn’t answer.

"Maybe she decided to give us some privacy," Ethan whispered with a smirk, playfully nudging Mara under the table.

From across the room, Maria’s grip tightened around her purse. She flagged down a passing waitress and leaned in close, whispering something while slipping a few bills into the woman’s hand. The waitress hesitated, then nodded.

Moments later, she approached Mara and Ethan’s table, her hands trembling as she carried a tray. Then crash! She stumbled forward, sending a full glass of wine spilling onto Ethan.

"Oh my god! I’m so sorry, sir!" the waitress gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "I’ve been having the worst day my husband is stalking me, and I just... I wasn’t paying attention. I’m so sorry sir!" Tears welled in her eyes as she pleaded for forgiveness.

Ethan exhaled sharply, dabbing at his now-soaked shirt. The strong scent of wine clung to him. "It’s fine," he said, though irritation flickered in his voice.

But he couldn’t go back to the office like this.

"I have a room at the hotel," he said, shaking off the excess liquid. "I might still have some spare shirts there. I’ll just go and change." He looked at Mara, hoping she’d take the hint and come with him.

Mara, however, shook her head. "You go ahead. I don’t want to leave, Maria might come looking for us."

Ethan nodded, though a trace of disappointment crossed his face. It seemed the moment would have to wait until they got back home.

As he left for the hotel, Maria finally allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. Everything was going exactly as planned.

Ethan stepped into the hotel room and unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it onto the nearby chair. Just as he reached for a fresh one, the door creaked open.

"You changed your mind," he murmured with a smirk, not bothering to turn around. He could smell his wife’s perfume, Mara.

Maria, however, stood frozen in the doorway, eyes widening at the sight before her. Ethan stood there, shirtless, his sculpted torso and sharp V-lines drawing her gaze. Her breath hitched as her eyes involuntarily drifted lower, lingering.

Ethan, still assuming it was Mara, casually undid his belt. When she didn’t say a word, he chuckled to himself. So, she’s just going to stand there and stare? He let her, enjoying the attention.

Then, suddenly, he felt her hands slide around him.

His lips curved into a faint smirk. "Are you done gawking?" he teased, but something felt off.

The touch wasn’t the same it lacked the familiarity, the warmth. Then, Maria’s hand began to slip lower, fingers grazing the waistband of his pants. Ethan’s reflexes kicked in. He grabbed her hand, stopping it in its tracks.

Turning sharply, his eyes locked onto the figure in front of him. His breath caught. It was Maria, dressed in Mara’s clothes.

"What the hell are you doing here, dressed like that?" Ethan snapped, his voice sharp with disbelief as he scrambled to buckle his belt back on.

Maria just smiled. A slow, knowing smile.

"I wanted to see you," Maria said, her voice soft, her smile deceptively innocent.

Ethan’s heart pounded. For the first time in his life, fear gripped him not for himself, but for what this moment could mean.

"Maria, please," he said, his voice low but urgent. "You need to leave. Mara is outside she could walk in any second. This... this would be impossible to explain."

But Maria remained unfazed, tilting her head slightly as if she didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

"I know you don’t want to hurt Mara," she said, her voice calm, and steady. "I don’t want that either. She’s like a sister to me. I love her."

Ethan exhaled sharply, taking a step back to create distance between them. "Exactly. For her sake, you need to stop this. You need to fight this. We can’t. I can’t lose her."

Maria’s eyes flickered with something more pain, delusion, conviction. She let out a small, breathy laugh, shaking her head. "You think I haven’t tried to stop it? You think I didn’t fight this?" She stepped closer, eyes locked on his. "I did, Ethan. But we’re in love. There’s no denying that. I want you, and I know you want me to."

She said it so matter-of-factly as if it were an undeniable truth. As if the idea of him rejecting her simply didn’t exist in her mind.

Ethan’s jaw tightened. He held her gaze, his voice unwavering. "No, Maria. Don’t get it twisted." He took another step back. "I love my wife. She is the love of my life. My everything." His tone was firm, final. "You need to leave."

But Maria only smiled. A slow, knowing smile. As if she knew something he didn’t.

"Denying it isn’t going to make it stop," Maria whispered, her voice eerily calm. She held his gaze, unwavering, composed too composed. "How long will you keep pretending with Mara? Does she really deserve that? The flowers, the gifts, the attention, it won’t change anything."

Her words slithered into the air like a quiet, insidious threat. Ethan’s stomach clenched.

She spoke with the measured poise of someone completely in control, but Ethan knew better. Maria wasn’t normal. She was sick. And no amount of reasoning would change that.

*

Mara waited patiently, glancing at the entrance of the hotel, expecting Ethan to return any moment. But as the minutes stretched on, her phone buzzed, and she received a call from the firm.

She sighed, knowing she had to leave, but then her gaze dropped to the table. Ethan’s phone was lying there, he might have forgotten it.

He must have been in such a hurry to change that he didn’t even realize, she thought.

Without overthinking it, Mara picked up the phone and his jacket. If he was done, she could hand it to him and they could head back together.

With that in mind, she made her way toward the hotel.

*

"Let me prove it to you," Maria whispered, her voice laced with certainty.

Ethan frowned, unsure what she was trying to prove. Yes, he cared about her, she reminded him of his sister, and maybe he had been too protective. But that was all. Whatever confusion lingered in his mind, there was one thing he was absolutely sure of: he was deeply, irrevocably in love with his wife, Mara.

Maria took a step forward. Then her foot caught on the carpet.

With a startled gasp, she stumbled forward. Ethan’s instincts kicked in instantly. He surged forward, catching Maria before she could hit the ground, pulling her firmly into his arms. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Maria crashed against his chest. Ethan exhaled, steadying her, but just as he was about to help her back to her feet, Maria lifted her head and her lips grazed his lips in a fleeting, accidental touch.

Ethan froze.

For a split second, his mind blanked. He had only meant to help. That’s all this was. But then his gaze involuntarily dropped to her body, pressed against his.

A slow smile flickered across Maria’s lips. She had said she would prove it. And to her, she just had. Ethan was still holding her. He hadn’t let go. And no excuse, no explanation could change that.

Then there was a knock at the door.

The tension shattered. Ethan’s heart slammed in his chest. Could it be Mara? How was he going to explain this?

He instantly let go of Maria, stepping back from her as if he was burned. His pulse pounded as he turned toward the door, dreading what he might find on the other side.