The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 38: Her Pain

Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"A peaceful divorce," she continued, her voice eerily calm. "Or I’ll file for an annulment. I don’t want alimony, I don’t want anything from you."

"Mara, no. Baby, we can fix this," Ethan begged, reaching for her. "I don’t know how, but I will. I swear—"

Mara stepped back. "A peaceful divorce means we had something real. Something beautiful that ended. But if you fight me, I’ll file for an annulment. And that means this never happened. We never happened."

Ethan felt his chest tighten.

Ethan froze, his chest tight, his breath shallow. He stared at Mara, her words slicing through him. "Mara, please," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Don’t do this. We can fix this. I’ll do anything."

Mara’s face was stone, her eyes cold. "You can’t fix this, Ethan. You loved her. You loved my best friend. That’s not something you just fix." Her voice trembled, but she held it together, refusing to let him see her break.

"I didn’t mean for it to happen," Ethan said, his hands shaking. "It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I love you. You’re my wife. She was just... I don’t know. A mistake. A moment of weakness."

"A moment?" Mara snapped, her calm cracking. "You kissed her. You loved her. How many moments does it take to fall in love, Ethan? How many moments did you steal from us?"

Ethan couldn’t answer. He looked down, his throat burning. "I’m sorry," he choked out. "I’m so sorry."

"Sorry doesn’t change anything," Mara said, her voice low and steady now. "You made your choice. And now I’m making mine. Get out."

Ethan didn’t move. He couldn’t. Leaving felt like admitting it was over, and he wasn’t ready for that. "Mara, please," he begged. "Don’t throw us away. I can’t lose you."

"You already did," she said, her voice hollow. "The second you let her in, you lost me. Now get out."

Ethan stood slowly, his legs unsteady. He looked at her one last time, hoping she’d meet his eyes, hoping she’d see the pain in his and change her mind. But she didn’t. She turned away, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

He walked to the door, each step heavier than the last. As he reached for the handle, he paused. "I’ll wait for you," he said quietly. "However long it takes. I’ll wait."

Mara didn’t respond. She just stood there, her back to him, silent and still. Ethan opened the door and stepped out, closing it softly behind him. The sound of the latch clicking into place felt final, like the end of something he’d never get back.

Inside, Mara finally let go. She sank to the floor, her body shaking, tears streaming down her face. She hugged her knees to her chest and sobbed, the weight of it all crashing down. Outside, Ethan leaned against the wall, his head in his hands, his own tears falling.

"Maybe you should call your mother. She might be able to get through to her," Mrs. Morgan suggested.

Ethan shook his head instantly. "No. Come on, not my mother. She’ll just make things worse."

"Or maybe she’ll make them better," Mrs. Morgan murmured. "You know she’s been in a similar situation—not once, not twice."

Ethan hesitated. He knew exactly what that meant. His mother had left every man who ever hurt her. She’d warned him about this—about the choices that led to regret. And now, if she took Mara’s side, she might push her even further away.

But as the silence stretched, desperation clawed at him. He had to try.

When Mrs. Morgan left, Ethan sat with his thoughts for a long moment before finally picking up the phone. His pride didn’t matter anymore. He needed help.

"Hey, Mom," he whispered.

"What is it, son?" Mrs. Anderson’s voice came through, muffled by the sound of chatter and clinking glasses. She was at the bar, as usual.

"It’s Mara," Ethan said, his voice barely above a breath.

Mrs. Anderson let out a heavy sigh. "She found out, didn’t she?"

Ethan swallowed. "Yeah."

There was a pause, then the rustling of movement. "Oh, son... fine. I’m on my way."

Ethan stood by the door, waiting, restless. He wanted to talk to Mara, but what could he say? Nothing would make sense to her right now.

When his mother arrived, he barely had time to thank her before she brushed past him, storming into the room.

Mara flinched as the door swung open, her red-rimmed eyes widening in surprise.

Mrs. Anderson crossed her arms and gave a knowing smirk. "I can see you need a hug, girl." She walked straight to Mara, her voice softer now. "I’d tell you to drink, but alcohol doesn’t help much, it just numbs the pain. People say time heals, but trust me, that’s bullshit too." She paused, tilting her head. "Still, I’d pick the bottle." If only Mara wasn’t pregnant she will pick the bottle too.

Then, without another word, she pulled Mara into a tight embrace.

Mara stiffened at first, then slowly melted into the warmth, her body shaking against Mrs. Anderson’s body.

Mrs. Anderson held her firmly, feeling the weight of the decision Mara had to make. She knew better than anyone that whichever path Mara chose, it wouldn’t be easy. But in the end, it had to be hers.

Mara stiffened at first, but then she melted into Mrs. Anderson’s embrace, her body shaking as she finally let herself cry. The older woman held her tightly, her hand gently stroking Mara’s hair. "It’s okay, sweetheart," Mrs. Anderson murmured. "Let it out. You’ve been holding it in too long."

Ethan stood in the doorway, watching helplessly. He wanted to say something, to do something, but he felt frozen. His mother’s presence was both a relief and a reminder of how badly he’d messed up. She had always been blunt, unapologetic, and fiercely protective of those she cared about. And right now, it was clear she cared more about Mara than him.

When Mara finally pulled away, her face was red and tear-streaked, but her eyes were sharp. "I don’t know what to do," she admitted, her voice hoarse. "I don’t know how to fix this."

Mrs. Anderson cupped Mara’s face in her hands, her expression serious. "You don’t have to fix anything, honey. This isn’t your mess to clean up. It’s his." She shot a pointed look at Ethan, who flinched under her gaze. "But you do have to decide what you want. And whatever you choose, you make sure it’s for you, not for him, not for anyone else. You hear me?"

Mara nodded slowly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I just... I don’t know if I can ever trust him again."

"And you don’t have to," Mrs. Anderson said firmly. "Trust isn’t something you owe anyone. It’s earned. And if he hasn’t earned it, then that’s on him, not you."

Ethan stepped forward, his voice trembling. "Mara, I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. But I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your trust back. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll just give me a chance."

Mrs. Anderson turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "You don’t get to decide that, Ethan. She does. And if she says it’s over, then it’s over. You don’t get to guilt her into staying because you feel bad about what you did."

Ethan looked down, his shoulders slumping. "I know," he whispered. "I just... I don’t want to lose her."

"Sometimes," Mrs. Anderson said, her voice softer now, "you don’t get what you want. And you have to live with that."

Mara sat back on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She looked at Ethan, then at Mrs. Anderson, and finally at the floor. "I need time," she said quietly. "I need to think. I can’t think right now."

Mrs. Anderson nodded. "That’s fair. Take all the time you need. And if you need someone to talk to, I’m here. Not as his mother, but as someone who’s been where you are."

Mara gave her a small, grateful smile. "Thank you."

Ethan stood there, feeling like an outsider in his own home. He wanted to say more, to beg, to plead, but he knew it wouldn’t help. His mother was right this wasn’t about him anymore. It was about Mara and what she needed but he knew divorce was out of the question. Anything she needed he will give to her, time, space whatever but never a divorce.

Mrs. Anderson walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, let’s give her some space."

Ethan hesitated, his eyes lingering on Mara for a moment longer before he finally followed his mother out of the room.

They walked down the hallway, Ethan felt the weight of everything crashing down on him. He had lost her. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but he could feel it slipping away. And he didn’t know how to stop it but one thing was for sure he will do whatever it takes to get her back.

"I can’t leave her alone, Mom," Ethan said, stopping in his tracks.

Mrs. Anderson sighed, shaking her head. "Then do what you have to, son." Without another word, she turned and walked away. She had done all she could. The rest was up to them.

Ethan sank down by the door, his back against the cold wall. He couldn’t be near her, couldn’t hold her, but at least this way, he could feel her presence. That was enough—for now. His body grew heavy with exhaustion, his head dipping forward as sleep tugged at him, but he didn’t move. He wouldn’t leave her.

Sometime in the early morning, the door creaked open.

Mara stepped out, her breath hitching when she saw him there—curled up on the floor, arms folded, his head resting against the wall. Had he been here all night? Guarding the door?

She hesitated, something in her chest tightening.

Without thinking, her hand lifted slightly, an instinct, a longing—to brush her fingers through his hair, to wake him gently. But she stopped herself.

Was her anger fading?

Mara clenched her fist, pulling her hand back. She couldn’t let herself soften.