The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 33: Morning Sickness

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the living room in soft, muted hues.

Ethan pushed the door open quietly, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. His eyes fell on Maria-Isabel, curled up on the couch, her chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of sleep.

A pang of guilt tugged at him. She had waited for him. Again. He stood there for a moment, his gaze lingering on her peaceful face, the way her dark hair fanned out against the cushion. He turned and made his way to the bedroom, his heart heavy.

Mara was still asleep when he entered, her body a soft silhouette under the sheets.

Ethan hesitated, then leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a kiss so light it was almost a whisper. She stirred but didn’t wake. He straightened, running a hand through his hair, and headed for the bathroom.

The sound of the shower soon filled the room, steam curling into the air like a ghost.

Mara’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of running water. She blinked, disoriented before the realization hit her. "Ethan?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

When no answer came, she sat up, the sheets pooling around her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and padded toward the bathroom, her bare feet silent on the cool tiles.

Ethan stood under the shower, his head tilted back, the water cascading over him. He was lost in thought, his mind a whirlwind of emotions he couldn’t quite untangle. He didn’t hear the door open and didn’t notice

Mara until her arms slid around his waist from behind. He jumped, startled, but her touch was familiar, grounding. She pressed her cheek against his back, her skin warm against his.

"How is he?" she asked softly, her voice barely rising above the sound of the water.

Ethan turned slowly, his hands finding hers. He cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheekbone, then trailed his fingers through her damp hair. "He’s fine," he said, his voice low, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Don’t you look gorgeous?" he added, his eyes drinking her in, the way the water clung to her skin, the way her eyes held his.

Mara smiled, but it was fleeting. A sudden wave of nausea washed over her, sharp and unexpected. She pressed a hand to her stomach, her face paling.

Ethan’s smile faded, replaced by concern. He reached for her, but she stepped back, shaking her head.

Ethan’s voice was laced with worry as he called after her, "Are you okay? What happened?" The water continued to pour down around him, but his focus was entirely on Mara. His mind raced, a cruel little voice whispering doubts he couldn’t silence. Does she find me repulsive? Disgusting? The thought clawed at him, but he pushed it aside, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel.

Mara was bent over the sink, her face pale, her hands gripping the edge of the counter. "No, it’s nothing," she said quickly, though her voice wavered. "I probably ate too much last night." But even as she spoke, another wave of nausea hit her, and she doubled over again, her body trembling.

Ethan was at her side in an instant, his hand on her back, his touch gentle but urgent. "You sure you’re okay?" he asked, his voice tight with concern. He searched her face, looking for answers she wasn’t giving him.

"Yes, I am," Mara insisted, though her shaky tone betrayed her. She straightened, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, and forced a weak smile. "It’s just... my stomach. It’ll pass."

But Ethan wasn’t convinced. Later, as they both dressed, his eyes kept flicking to her, his brow furrowed. She was trying to act normal, drying her hair with a towel, but he could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she avoided his gaze.

"You should see a doctor," he said finally, his voice firm. "I’ll take you."

Mara shook her head, brushing him off. "You seriously don’t have to worry. It’s probably nothing. You have that ongoing case, and now your granddad... I don’t want to add to your stress."

Ethan stepped closer, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Don’t say that. You’ll always be a priority to me," he said, his voice soft but unwavering. His eyes searched hers, pleading with her to understand. "Nothing matters more than you."

Mara looked up at him, her expression softening for a moment. But then Ethan’s face shifted, a shadow of guilt crossing his features. "Well, and I need to be in Paris tonight," he said hesitantly, studying her reaction. "I need to do some investigation. I’m sorry I’m only telling you about it now."

Mara’s eyes widened, and for a moment, she just stared at him. Paris? Tonight? She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. The nausea, the exhaustion, the weight of everything it all felt like too much. But she swallowed it down, forcing a smile.

"It’s fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "Do what you need to do. I’ll be okay." Ethan’s jaw tightened, and he pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. "I’ll make this up to you," he murmured into her hair. "I promise."

But as Mara stood there, her face buried in his chest, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting between them. Something she couldn’t quite name. And as Ethan pulled away, his eyes lingering on hers, she wondered if he felt it too.

Ethan’s voice was hopeful as he made the offer, his eyes searching Mara’s for a glimmer of agreement. "You could come with me, you know. We still have that pending trip to Paris," he said, his tone light, almost teasing, but there was a seriousness beneath it. He wanted her there. He needed her there.

Mara’s face softened, but she shook her head, her disappointment evident. "No matter how tempting that is, you know I can’t leave work. And Maria... I can’t leave her all alone." Her voice was gentle but firm, and Ethan felt the weight of her responsibilities and didn’t press on it.

"That’s rather unfortunate," Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. He hated the idea of leaving her behind, especially now, when something felt... off. But he also knew Mara wouldn’t budge. She never did when it came to her commitments.

"Keep me updated, okay?" Mara said, stepping closer to him. Her eyes were pleading, her voice steady but laced with worry. "Call me. Every day. And stay away from anything dangerous. How many days did you say again?"

"Three days," Ethan replied, watching as Mara’s frown deepened. Three days. It didn’t sound like much, but to them, it felt like an eternity. They had never been apart for that long, not since they had found their way to each other. The thought of being without her for even a single night was enough to make his chest ache.

Mara crossed her arms, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Three days," she repeated, almost to herself. "That’s going to feel like forever."

Ethan reached for her, pulling her into his arms. "It’s just three days," he murmured, though he wasn’t sure if he was trying to reassure her or himself. "I’ll be back before you know it."

He grabbed his suitcase, already packed with the essentials, and gave her one last, lingering goodbye kiss. "Call me when you go to the doctor," he said, his voice firm. He needed to know she was okay, even if he couldn’t be there to see it for himself.

"I will," Mara promised, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She watched as he headed for the door, her heart sinking with every step he took.

The house was still dark, Ethan moved quietly, his footsteps soft against the floor. He had successfully avoided Maria, though it hadn’t been easy. He could feel her presence, like a shadow lingering just out of sight, but he didn’t look back. He couldn’t. Not now.

Mara stood in the silence, her arms wrapped around herself. The house felt emptier already, the weight of Ethan’s absence settling over her like a heavy blanket.

Three days. Mara sighed, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. She had a sinking feeling that those three days were going to change everything. She got herself ready for work.

Mara sat at the dinner table, her plate piled high with food. She couldn’t seem to stop eating, her fork moving almost mechanically from the plate to her mouth. The nausea from earlier had subsided, replaced by an insatiable hunger that she couldn’t quite explain.

Maria-Isabel walked into the kitchen, her steps light but deliberate. She pulled out a chair and sat down across from Mara, her expression calm but her eyes sharp,"Good morning, Mara," she said, her voice smooth and polite. "Ethan isn’t back?"

Mara glanced up, swallowing a mouthful of food before answering. "He was, but he left for Paris," she said, her tone casual, though there was a flicker of something in her eyes disappointment, maybe, or worry. She quickly looked back down at her plate, avoiding Maria’s gaze.

Maria’s lips pressed into a thin line, though she quickly masked her frustration with a polite smile. She couldn’t believe Ethan would leave his wife behind, especially now. Was he really that desperate to avoid her?

The thought sent a strange mix of emotions swirling through her anger, hurt, and, if she was honest with herself, a flicker of hope.

Maybe he did have feelings for her. Maybe he just needed time to admit it, even to himself.

The idea made her smile, though she hid it behind a sip of her coffee. She could picture it now Ethan, finally confessing his love for her, his wife standing there, stunned but understanding. It was a cruel thought, but one she couldn’t quite push away.

"Paris, huh?" Maria said, her tone light, almost teasing. "That’s quite the trip. Did he say when he’d be back?"

"In three days," Mara replied, her voice steady, though her grip on her fork tightened slightly.

She didn’t miss the way Maria’s eyes lit up at the news, the way her smile seemed just a little too knowing. It made her stomach twist, though she wasn’t sure if it was from the food or the unease settling over her.

Maria leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "Three days is a long time," she said, her voice soft, almost sympathetic. "But I’m sure he’ll be back before you know it.

Ethan can’t stay a minute without you, can he?"

Mara looked up, her eyes meeting Maria’s for the first time. There was something in Maria’s tone, something was off as if she was not herself. But before she could ask why she was acting strange, Maria stood, her smile still in place.

"Well, I’ll let you finish your breakfast," she said, her voice sweet but with an edge Mara couldn’t quite place. "Let me know if you need anything." frёewebηovel.cѳm

As Maria walked out of the kitchen, Mara stared after her, her appetite suddenly gone. She set her fork down, her mind racing why is Maria acting this way?