The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 39: I still want a divorce

Mara’s anger was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but it was mixed with something else now something softer, something she didn’t want to acknowledge. She hated that he could still make her feel this way, that even after everything, a part of her still cared.

Ethan stirred, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw her standing there, he straightened up quickly, wincing as his stiff muscles protested. "Mara," he said, his voice rough from sleep. "I... I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I just wanted to be close. In case you needed me."

Mara crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "I don’t need you, Ethan. I told you to leave."

"I know," he said, his voice quiet. "But I couldn’t. I can’t just walk away, Mara. Not from you. Not from us."

Mara looked away, her jaw tightening. "There is no ’us’ anymore, Ethan. You made sure of that."

Ethan stood slowly, his movements careful, like he was afraid she’d bolt if he moved too fast. "I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. And I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I’m not giving up on us. I’ll wait. However long it takes."

Mara’s eyes flicked back to his, and for a moment, she saw the pain in them, it was raw and real. It mirrored her own, and it made her chest ache. But she couldn’t let herself soften. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

"You can wait all you want," she said, her voice cold. "But that doesn’t mean I’ll change my mind. I will send the divorce papers to your office, make sure you sign them,"

Ethan nodded, his shoulders slumping. "I know. But I have to try. You’re worth it, Mara. You always have been." completely ignoring the divorce part.

Mara didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her throat felt tight, her emotions tangled in a way she couldn’t unravel. Instead, she turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing there, watching her go.

Mara retreated to the bedroom, she closed the door softly behind her, leaning against it for a moment. Her heart was racing, her mind a spinning of anger, pain, and something else she couldn’t name. She wanted to hate him. She did hate him. But hate wasn’t the only thing she felt, and that was the hardest part.

Outside, Ethan sank back down to the floor, his head in his hands. He didn’t know what else to do. He couldn’t fix this with words or promises. All he could do was wait and hope that, someday, she’d find it in her heart to let him back in.

But for now, the distance between them felt like an ocean, and he had no idea how to cross it. Mara got ready for work, even though she hadn’t slept a wink. Her body was exhausted, but her mind wouldn’t stop racing. Still, she refused to stay home. She wasn’t hired by Ethan, which meant she could keep her job—as long as no one fired her. It was a temporary fix. She couldn’t afford to quit, not with the contract she had signed. Breaking it would cost her more than she could handle right now.

As she fastened her blazer and smoothed down her skirt, she felt the weight of everything pressing on her. She had no choice but to keep moving forward.

Just as she reached for the door, Ethan walked into the bedroom.

Their eyes didn’t meet.

Mara stepped past him without a word, without looking back.

Downstairs, Mrs. Morgan called after her. "Mara, at least have some breakfast."

But Mara only hesitated for a second before shaking her head. She couldn’t. The thought of Maria standing in this very spot, smiling, forcing her to eat before she left—it was too much. The memory cut deeper than she expected.

She needed to leave.

Her phone buzzed, and she quickly answered. Her former landlord had agreed—she could have her old apartment back. Relief washed over her. At least she wouldn’t have to stay in this house any longer than necessary.

Mara stepped out of the mansion, the cool morning air hitting her face like a slap. She didn’t look back, didn’t let herself hesitate. The cab she’d ordered was waiting at the gate, and she walked toward it with quick, determined steps. Behind her, she could hear the driver’s pleading voice, but she ignored it. She couldn’t get into Ethan’s car, not today. Not ever again if she could help it.

The cab driver gave her a nod as she slid into the backseat, and she gave him the address to the firm. As the car pulled away, Mara stared out the window, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. The mansion grew smaller in the distance, but the weight of everything that had happened there stayed with her, pressing down on her chest.

She hadn’t slept. Her mind had been racing all night, replaying every word, every moment, every betrayal. She felt exhausted, but she couldn’t afford to show it. Not at work. Not in front of Ethan’s colleagues. She had to keep it together, at least for now.

When the cab pulled up to the firm, Mara took a deep breath, smoothing her hands over her blazer before stepping out. She walked into the building with her head held high, her expression neutral, but inside, she felt like she was falling apart.

Mara approached one of her colleagues, keeping her voice steady. "Can you draft a divorce letter for me? It’s for a member of the Anderson family."

With a name like Anderson attached, it didn’t take long. The influence had its perks, even when severing ties.

Once the document was ready, Mara placed it on Ethan’s desk. Her fingers lingered on the surface for a moment as memories flooded back. She remembered the first time she had walked into this office, clutching a file, eager to prove herself. Back then, working with the "little devil," as she had once called him, had been a challenge she was excited to take on.

Now, it all felt like a distant dream—one that had turned into a nightmare.

She exhaled sharply, pulling herself back to the present. This was just another document now. Another case to be closed.

When she walked out, Steph entered, scanning the desk. Seeing the file, he assumed it was related to their ongoing case. Without a second thought, he picked it up and left, never bothering to check its contents.

Minutes later, Lucy stepped in. She lingered for a moment, her fingers tracing the edges of Ethan’s chair, lost in thought. Then, with a sigh, she placed another file on his desk and left.

By the time Ethan arrived, his office was exactly as he had left it—except for the file waiting for him.

Unaware of what it contained, he picked it up, skimmed through it, and tucked it under his arm as he left for his meeting.

The conference room was filled with the company’s top partners, all seated and waiting as Steph prepared to present his report. He flipped open the file in his hands, ready to begin—until the words on the page stopped him cold.

His eyes widened. Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out.

"What—Ethan, you’re divorcing her?"

The meeting room erupted into chaos the moment Steph’s words slipped out. Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he snatched the file from Steph’s hands. His heart sank as he scanned the document—divorce papers, drafted and ready. Mara had meant every word she said. She wasn’t waiting. She was moving forward, and she was doing it without him.

The room buzzed with whispers, questions flying in every direction. "Ethan’s married?" "Who’s he divorcing?" "What’s going on?" The noise grated on Ethan’s nerves, but he barely registered it. His focus was on the papers in his hands, the cold, formal language that spelled the end of everything he’d been fighting to hold onto.

"Meeting adjourned," Ethan snapped, his voice cutting through the chatter. He didn’t wait for a response, striding out of the room with Steph hot on his heels.

Once they were in the hallway, Steph grabbed Ethan’s arm, his expression a mix of concern and disbelief. "What happened, boss?" he asked, his voice low.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his frustration boiling over. "She saw me and Maria last night. We almost... you know, got into it. But Mara showed up before anything happened."

Steph raised an eyebrow, his tone skeptical. "You mean you’re disappointed you didn’t finish?"

Ethan shot him a glare. "Don’t be ridiculous. If I had, I would’ve regretted it. I’m glad Mara showed up when she did. But now she’s filing for divorce. We both knew this would happen."

Steph sighed, shaking his head. "Ethan, you can’t stop her if this is what she wants. You messed up. Big time."

"Shut up," Ethan growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I will never divorce her. Find out who drafted these papers and fire them. Now."

Steph hesitated, but one look at Ethan’s face told him arguing was pointless. "Fine. I’ll handle it."

Ethan didn’t wait for a response. He turned on his heel and stormed down the hallway, the torn divorce papers crumpled in his fist. His mind raced as he made his way to Mara’s office. He couldn’t let this happen. He wouldn’t.