The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 37: His Betrayal

Ethan stood at the doorway, holding the plate Mrs. Morgan had prepared, his heart aching as he watched his wife. She looked so small, so fragile, as though the slightest touch might shatter her completely. He wanted to go to her, to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything would be okay. But he didn’t know if it would be. He didn’t know if she could ever find her way back to him.

And so, he stood there, frozen, the weight of his mistakes pressing down on him like a stone. The silence stretched between them, vast and unyielding, and in that moment, Ethan realized that her wounds might never heal, Maria was her whole world.

Ethan stood outside the door, his shoulders slumped, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. When Mrs. Morgan emerged, her face etched with worry, he didn’t need her to say a word. The slight shake of her head told him everything. Mara had refused the food. His heart sank, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him even harder.

"She won’t eat," Mrs. Morgan whispered, her voice trembling. "She’s... she’s in a bad way, Ethan. I’ve never seen her like this." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she reached out to touch his arm as if to anchor him. "You need to go to her. She may not want to see you, but she needs you. Now more than ever."

Ethan’s throat tightened, his chest constricting with a mix of fear and regret. He wanted to argue, to tell Mrs. Morgan that he was the last person Mara would want comfort from. But deep down, he knew she was right. He had caused this. He had let his silence and inaction tear apart the life they had built together. And now, he had to face the consequences not just for himself, but for Mara. For their future.

With a shaky breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the weight of unshed words and unspoken pain. Mara was curled up on the bed, her back to the door, her body trembling with silent sobs. The sight of her like that broken, defeated—shattered something inside him. He had done this. He had let his fear and indecision bring her to this point.

"Mara," he whispered, his voice barely audible. He took a tentative step forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "I... I don’t know what to say to ease your pain, I hurt you so bad. But I’m here and I’m so sorry."

She didn’t respond, didn’t even acknowledge his presence. Her silence was worse than any words she could have thrown at him. It was a wall, impenetrable and cold, and he had no idea how to break through it.

He moved closer, his legs feeling like lead, and sat on the edge of the bed. His hand hovered over her shoulder, trembling before he finally let it rest there. She flinched at his touch, and he quickly pulled his hand away, as though burned.

"I know you don’t want to see me," he said, his voice cracking. "I know you don’t deserve this pain. But please... please eat something." Ethan whispered.

Mara’s body stiffened, and for a moment, the room was so quiet he could hear the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Then, slowly, she turned to face him, her eyes red and swollen, her face pale and drawn. She looked at him as though seeing him for the first time, her gaze searching his face for something—anything that might make sense of the chaos.

"I’m not hungry?" she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. How could he offer her food in this state, he thinks he cares for food right now? Mara thought.

Ethan nodded, his own eyes filling with tears. "Please, I will do any thing to fix this. But Mara, please... you have to eat something, so we can talk about us, so we can find a solution to this," Everything was a business deal for him, Mara thought if he thinks her pain was a business project he could simply fix.

Mara’s lower lip trembled, and she looked away, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "I don’t know if there’s an ’us’ anymore, Ethan," she said, her voice barely audible. "I don’t know if I can... if I can trust you again."

Her words cut through him like a knife, but he didn’t argue. He didn’t have the right. Instead, he reached for the tray Mrs. Morgan had left and held it out to her, his hands shaking. "Please," he said again, his voice breaking. "Just... eat something. For yourself. I’ll... I’ll leave if you want me to. But please, Mara. Please."

She stared at the tray for what felt like an eternity, her breath hitching in her chest. Then, slowly, she reached out and took it, her hands trembling as she lifted the fork. Ethan watched as she took a small bite, his heart aching with a mix of relief and sorrow. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

He stood to leave, his legs unsteady, but before he could take a step, Mara’s voice stopped him.

"Stay," she whispered, her eyes still fixed on the tray. "Just... stay."

Ethan hesitated, his heart hammering against his ribs. Then, without a word, he sank onto the edge of the bed, his shoulders heavy, his head dropping into his hands. If they could talk maybe there was still hope and a chance of fixing his mess but it felt too soon, too raw. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"How long?" Mara’s voice was quiet but sharp, each syllable laced with hurt. "How long have you two..." She trailed off, unable to finish.

Ethan stood up on his feet and swallowed hard. "We got close when she took me for my surgery. But Mara, believe me, nothing happened. It was one kiss, and it meant nothing. Tonight, I thought it was you in our room." His voice cracked on the last word.

Mara flinched. It had been that long? To think she had push her into his arms, she should have being at the hospital with him.

"Baby, you have to believe me," Ethan pleaded. "It meant nothing. With everything going on with Daniel, she was scared. I thought she might hurt herself. And she was pregnant, Mara. I just wanted to protect her. I didn’t even realize when,"

Mara’s breath caught. "Pregnant?" Her chest tightened. "Maria is pregnant?"

Ethan looked at her, regret shadowing his face.

"You." Her eyes widened in horror.

"No! Come on, Mara. I’m not the father. I was never with her like that," Ethan rushed to say.

Mara stared at him, her eyes searching, her heart breaking. Then, finally, she whispered the question that had been clawing at her insides. "Did you love her?"

The words hung between them like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.

Ethan closed his eyes for a second, as if he could escape it. But he couldn’t. He exhaled shakily. "Yes."

Mara sucked in a breath. She felt it, like something inside her shattered.

"Yes," Ethan repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "I cared about her. I wanted to protect her. But the love I felt for her... it’s nothing compared to what I feel for you. I love you, Mara. You are my everything."

But it didn’t matter. The damage was done.

Mara straightened, holding herself together even as her world collapsed. "I want a divorce."