The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 48: Kidnap Mara

Steve and Mara arrived at the house in silence. He knew he should be more understanding with her, but that didn’t change the fact that she was slipping further away from them.

The moment the car stopped, Mara pushed the door open and stepped out before Steve could say a word.

"Oh my God, thank goodness you’re safe! You really had us worried, Stefania," Caleb said, rushing toward her. He had been on edge since she left in a hurry, even calling her other brothers in concern.

But Mara ignored him, as she walked straight to her room without a glance back.

She tried hard to hide how she was really feeling inside, she had been hurt too many times, but this cut deeper than any of them.

"What happened to her?" Stefan asked, his eyes narrowing at Steve.

"She’s just upset," Steve replied. "She went looking for Ethan."

Stefan scoffed. "Of course, she did. That guy is never coming anywhere near our Stef again."

Steve didn’t respond, but his jaw tightened.

"Maybe I should talk to her," Caleb offered, already moving toward the house.

Before he could take another step, Steve placed a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

It was true—Caleb and Mara had always been close. But right now, Steve didn’t need him playing the hero. He had plans for his sister, and he wasn’t about to let another womanizer get involved.

Caleb was no different from Ethan.

At least, that’s what Steve told himself. And everyone knew Caleb’s reputation well enough.

Mara needed protection. And Steve was going to make sure she got it—whether she liked it or not.

"You don’t have to," Steve said firmly, his grip on Caleb’s shoulder tightening just enough to make his point. "Maybe you should leave."

Caleb frowned, clearly not expecting the cold dismissal. Before he could argue, Stanley spoke up.

"Come on, Steve. Caleb and Stefania have been close since they were kids. You know how she had a crush on him when she was younger. If anyone can get through to her, it’s him. Besides, Caleb is from a good family—a family we all know and trust. He’s a good match for Stefania."

"I care about her, Steve," Caleb added, his voice steady with conviction. "Believe me, I’d do anything to make her happy."

"See?" Stanley chipped in, as if that settled it.

But Steve remained unmoved. His gaze was hard, unwavering. "I don’t doubt that," he said. "But right now, Stefania isn’t in the right state of mind. What she needs is her family—and we’re here for her."

"I think Steve is right," Stefan added after a moment. "She’s hurting. She needs time."

Caleb exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. "Fine," he muttered, turning on his heel. "I’ll check on her later."

With that, he walked away, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Steve watched him go, his facial expression was cold. He had won this round—but he knew Caleb wouldn’t stay away forever. And that was going to be a problem.

"Steve, what do you have against Caleb?" Stafford asked, his sharp eyes studying his brother’s expression. He had been watching the exchange closely, and something didn’t sit right with him.

"I don’t have anything against him," Steve said, brushing off the question. "I’m going to talk to Stefania." Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving his brothers behind.

Stanley let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "He always thinks he knows what’s best for everyone—especially Stefania. As if we don’t want what’s best for her, too." His voice was thick with disappointment as he looked over at Stafan.

"You know he’s always right, though," Stafan said with a small shrug before turning and walking away, leaving Stanley and Stafford alone with their lingering thoughts.

...

Mara sat at her desk, staring blankly at the Sinper case files. She had hoped work would be a distraction, something to pull her mind away from the storm inside her—but it wasn’t working.

With a soft sigh, she ran her hand over her flat belly, tracing gentle circles as if offering comfort to the life growing inside her.

"Oh, baby... why does everything have to be so difficult?" she whispered, a single tear slipping down her cheek.

A sudden knock on the door startled her.

"Can I come in, Stef?"

She didn’t answer, but that never stopped Steve. The door creaked open, and he stepped inside, holding up her phone.

"You left this in your bag," he said, forcing a smile.

Mara didn’t respond. She simply turned away as he walked over and sat beside her on the bed.

"Stefania... baby sis," Steve said softly.

Mara shifted, putting distance between them, refusing to meet his gaze.

"I’m sorry for raising my voice earlier," he continued, his tone gentle. "I just didn’t like seeing you like that."

"Like what?" Mara asked bitterly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Like a fool? Begging for his love and attention?" She let out a hollow laugh, already knowing the answer. "Is that what it looked like?"

Steve hesitated.

"Stef..."

But what could he say? They both knew the truth.

Mara exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I didn’t go to the courthouse to beg for his love, Steve," she murmured, her voice trembling. "I went because I was worried about the case. I thought he was going to lose, and... I don’t know, I just—I had to be there."

Steve watched her, his expression softening as he listened.

"I wish I could just shut off how I feel," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "After everything he did... after all the pain... I should hate him. But I can’t tell my heart to stop caring." Her shoulders slumped as she wiped at her tears, frustration lacing every movement. "I don’t know how to stop, Steve."

Steve didn’t speak right away. Instead, he reached out, pulling her into a firm embrace. At first, she stiffened, but the warmth of his arms—the silent understanding he offered—was enough to break her completely.

Mara buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed.

"I’ve got you, baby sis," Steve murmured, rubbing slow circles on her back. "You don’t have to figure it all out today. Just breathe."

For a long moment, they sat like that—Steve holding her as she let out the weight she had been carrying alone.

When her tears finally slowed, he pulled away, brushing her hair out of her face like he used to when they were kids. "You didn’t eat dinner, did you?"

Mara sniffled, shaking her head.

"Stay here," he said, standing up. "I’ll bring you something."

A few minutes later, he returned with a tray of food. He set it down beside her before picking up a spoonful of soup and holding it up.

Mara gave him a weak look. "Steve—"

"Let me take care of you for once," he said, cutting her off. "You always try to handle everything alone."

A small, tired smile tugged at her lips as she let him feed her, the warmth of the moment settling between them. No words were needed anymore. For tonight, at least, she wasn’t alone.

The next morning, Mara woke up feeling lighter, though the weight of her emotions still lingered. She was grateful for Steve—his patience, his comfort. For once, she hadn’t felt completely alone.

But peace never lasted long in her world.

Outside the mansion gates, Caleb stepped out of his car, holding a bouquet of fresh lilies—Mara’s favorite. He had spent the entire night thinking about her, wanting to be the one to bring a smile to her face after everything she had been through.

But as he approached the gate, he saw someone else already there.

Ethan.

Caleb’s expression darkened as he quickened his pace. "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, in the elite circle, everyone knew each other, Celeb and Ethan both went to school together, but weren’t close friends.

Ethan turned slowly, his gaze calm but filled with unspoken tension. "Celeb! I should be asking you the same thing," he replied coolly.

Caleb scoffed. "Unlike you, I actually care about Stef." He held up the bouquet. "I came to check on her, make sure she’s okay. You, on the other hand, lost that right a long time ago."

Ethan’s jaw clenched. "Is that what you think?" He took a step closer. "Mara is still my wife."

Caleb let out a bitter laugh. "A title means nothing when you treat her like garbage beside it, only a matter of time." The tension between them thickened, their voices rising.

Just then, the front door opened.

Mara stepped out, stopping in her tracks as she took in the scene before her—Caleb and Ethan, both glaring at each other, their anger barely restrained.

"What’s going on?" she asked, her voice cautious.

Ethan’s eyes snapped to her, something fierce and possessive flashing in them. Before anyone could react, he closed the distance between them, grabbed Mara’s wrist, and yanked her toward him.

"Ethan—" she gasped, struggling against his grip.

But he wasn’t listening.

In one swift motion, he pulled her toward his car and shoved the door open.

"Let go of her!" Caleb shouted, rushing forward, but Ethan was already forcing Mara inside before slamming the door shut.

Her brothers burst through the front entrance, their voices booming with rage, especially Steve.

But Ethan didn’t care. He came for his wife and that was all that mattered to him, the rest could go to hell for all he cares. Mara struggles with him to let her go. "Open the door! stop this madness!" Mara yells as Ethan fastens her seatbelt.

With one final look at them, he got into the driver’s seat, pressed his foot to the gas, and sped away—Mara trapped inside.