The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 58: I won’t forgive them

The hospital room was quiet, save for the soft hum of medical equipment and the occasional murmur of voices outside.

Stefania lay in the bed, her hand resting protectively over her belly as she processed everything she’d just been told. Her eyes, still heavy with exhaustion, flickered with a mix of anger and relief. She was furious at Lucy for stooping so low, but she was also grateful that her baby was still safe.

The thought of losing the child she hadn’t even known she wanted until now was too much to bear.

"I won’t forgive any of them," Mara said, her voice trembling but firm. Her fingers tightened slightly over her stomach, as if reassuring herself that her baby was still there, still safe.

"Not Lucy, not Ethan... none of them."

Steve, standing by her bedside, gave her a gentle smile. He could see the fire in her eyes, the determination that had always made her so strong. But he also saw the vulnerability, the fear that came with almost losing something so precious.

He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don’t have to forgive them," he said softly. "But right now, you need to focus on yourself and the baby. Everything else can wait."

Mara nodded, but her mind was already racing. She didn’t want to stay in the hospital any longer than necessary. The longer she was here, the greater the risk that Ethan would find out about the pregnancy. She turned to Stefan, who was standing at the foot of the bed, his hands tucked into the pockets of his white coat.

"I want to go home," she said, her voice firm despite her weakened state. "When can I go home, Stefan?"

Stefan exchanged a quick glance with Steve before answering. "You’ve just been through a lot, Stefania. You need bed rest, and we need to monitor your condition closely. But..." He paused, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"If you promise to take it easy, I can arrange for you to be discharged. Steve has already ordered a fully equipped room to be prepared at the mansion. You’ll have everything you need there, and we can keep an eye on you without you having to stay here."

Mara’s eyes lit up with gratitude, and she turned to Steve. "Thank you, Steve," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Steve’s ability to anticipate her needs never ceased to amaze her. He always seemed to know what she was thinking, what she needed, even before she did.

Steve gave her a warm smile, his hand still resting gently on her shoulder. "You don’t have to thank me, Stefania. You’re family. We take care of our own."

Stefan chuckled softly, pulling his hands out of his coat pockets. "Well, I guess the princess can go home now," he joked, his tone light but affectionate. "I’ll get started on the discharge papers. But remember,

Stefania, bed rest means bed rest. No arguing."

Mara rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "Fine, fine. I’ll behave," she said, though everyone in the room knew better than to take her word for it. Stefania Shepherd was many things, but obedient wasn’t one of them.

As Stefan left to handle the paperwork, Steve stayed by Mara’s side, his presence a steady comfort. Mara leaned back against the pillows, her hand still resting on her belly.

Steve’s suggestion hung in the air, but Mara’s response was immediate and resolute. "The only place I want to be right now is the courtroom," she said, her voice steady and her expression determined. For Mara, diving into a case was more than just work—it was her way of regaining control, of focusing her mind and pushing aside the chaos that had consumed her life. She didn’t want to run away from Ethan or her problems; she wanted to face them head-on, to fight until her feelings for him faded into nothingness.

Steve studied her for a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips. He knew her better than anyone, and he understood exactly what she needed. "Great," he said, his tone light but purposeful. "I have the perfect case for you, and it’s also part of my surprise. But are you sure you’re up for it?"

Mara didn’t hesitate. "I am," she said firmly, her eyes locking with his. There was no doubt in her voice, no hesitation. She was ready.

Steve’s smile widened, and he nodded.

"Alright then. Let’s get you settled first." He helped her into a wheelchair, ensuring she was comfortable before wheeling her out of the room.

As they moved down the hallway, Mara couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. Whatever case Steve had in mind, she knew it would be exactly what she needed to keep her mind sharp and her heart focused.

Meanwhile, just moments after Steve and Mara had left the hospital, Ethan and Steph arrived, their faces partially hidden behind masks.

They moved cautiously, their eyes scanning the surroundings as they tried to blend in with the crowd. Their mission was clear: spy on Stefan Shepherd. Ethan was desperate for any clue that might lead him to Mara, and Steph was the mastermind.

Ethan’s heart raced as they approached the hospital, his mind swirling with a mix of hope and fear. He had to find Mara. He had to make things right. But as they stepped inside, they were met with the bustling activity of a busy hospital, and the reality of their task began to sink in.

Finding Stefan and through him, Mara wasn’t going to be easy.

Steph glanced at Ethan, his expression hidden behind his mask but his eyes betraying his unease. "This is a long shot, Ethan," he muttered under his breath. "Are you sure this is the best idea?"

Ethan didn’t respond immediately. His gaze was fixed ahead, his mind racing with possibilities. "It’s the only idea I’ve got," he finally said, his voice low but determined. "I can’t lose her, Steph. I just can’t."

Steph sighed but didn’t argue. He knew how much Mara meant to Ethan, and as much as he disagreed with some of Ethan’s choices, he couldn’t deny the depth of his friend’s love for her. Together, they moved deeper into the hospital, their eyes scanning every face, every room, searching for any sign of Stefan—or, if they were lucky, Mara herself.

Back in the car, Steve helped Mara into the passenger seat before sliding into the driver’s side. As he started the engine, he glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "You know, Stefania, this case I’ve got for you... it’s not just any case. It’s high-profile, complex, and it’s going to demand everything you’ve got. But I know you can handle it."

Mara turned to him, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of case is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

Steve grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You’ll see soon enough. But trust me, it’s going to be worth it."

Mara leaned back in her seat, a small smile playing on her lips. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a spark of excitement, a sense of purpose. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t running away. She was staying, fighting, and reclaiming her life.

Ethan’s heart was pounding in his chest as he listened to the nurses’ conversation. The words swirled in his mind, each one hitting him like a punch to the gut. Pregnant. VIP patient. Shepherd brothers. His thoughts raced, trying to piece together what it all meant. Could the woman they were talking about be Mara? And if it was... could she be pregnant with his child?

The idea sent a jolt through him, a mix of hope and fear that left him breathless. He wanted it to be true more than anything but at the same time, the possibility terrified him.

If Mara was pregnant, it changed everything.

It meant he was going to be a father. Him. A father something he thought was never possible. His own flesh and blood. His son or little princess.

The thought was so overwhelming that a small, involuntary smile curled on his lips, even as doubt and anxiety gnawed at him.

Steph, standing beside him, looked equally stunned. He leaned closer to Ethan, his voice low and urgent.

"Boss, let’s just say, hypothetically speaking, that Mara is that lady. And if she’s pregnant... and if the Shepherds are her brothers..." He trailed off, shaking his head as if the mere thought was too much to process. "If that’s true, then Operation Get Mara Back just got a whole lot more complicated. Impossible, even."