The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 87: Too Close

As Mara, Steve, and Stefan made their way toward the exit, the air in the facility grew tense. Just as they reached the hallway leading out, the sound of approaching footsteps made them freeze.

Then, a voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding.

"Where are they?"

Mara’s blood ran cold. Philip.

From their hiding spot behind a stack of storage crates, they watched as their uncle strode into the facility, his expression cold and calculating. He was dressed sharply as always, but there was a flicker of frustration in his eyes.

"Sir?" Cai, the facility’s manager, stepped forward, feigning confusion.

"My nephews and niece," Philip clarified, his tone clipped. "I know they were here. I have reason to believe they were." His gaze swept the room, sharp as a blade. "Where are they?"

Cai barely hesitated. "I’m afraid you’ve been misinformed, Mr. Shepherd. They haven’t been here."

Philip narrowed his eyes, taking a slow, assessing step forward. The room felt suffocating still. Mara held her breath, gripping Stefan’s wrist tightly.

"Is that so?" Philip murmured, scanning the area. He wasn’t convinced.

He turned on his heel and headed toward the restricted area, his sharp gaze flickering over the security checkpoints.

"I’ll see for myself."

As Philip disappeared down the corridor, Cai subtly turned his head, his gaze locking onto Mara and her brothers. Without a word, he made a barely noticeable motion with his hand.

Move.

Steve reacted instantly, grabbing Mara’s wrist and pulling her back. Stefan followed close behind as Cai quietly led them toward a concealed doorway at the far end of the room. He pressed a hidden panel, and a narrow passageway slid open.

"This leads to the underground lot," Cai whispered. "Go now before he turns back."

Mara hesitated. "Cai—"

"No time, go!" Cai urged.

With no other choice, the three Shepherds slipped inside, the door sealing shut behind them.

Their footsteps echoed as they sprinted down the dimly lit corridor. When they reached the underground lot, their car was already waiting. Steve yanked open the door, shoving Mara into the backseat before jumping behind the wheel.

Stefan barely had time to shut the door before Steve slammed on the gas, tires screeching as they sped out of the facility.

Through the rearview mirror, Mara watched the entrance of the building grow smaller in the distance. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. Philip had come looking for them.

And next time, he wouldn’t be fooled so easily.

–

Ethan was driving to clear his head when he pulled over at a secluded tower by the water. He slammed the car door and let out a roar of frustration, his voice echoing into the night. His hands trembled as he paced, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.

He needed to get it out, to let it go, but the pain only tightened its grip. He climbed onto the small stone wall, staring at the calm water below. It mocked him with its serenity while his soul was in turmoil.

He picked up a few stones and threw them in, watching as the ripples distorted the reflection of the moon. He inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down.

Something wasn’t right. He was always good at reading people. There was no way Mara could cheat on him. She was capable of many things, but not that. He was her first, he knew that. Why would she save herself for the man she loved, only to betray him now? It didn’t make sense and the abortion? There has to be an explanation.

His thoughts raced back to the DNA test. It could mean anything. Maybe it was a lie. Maybe it was another one of Lucy’s manipulations. Or maybe Mara had taken the test out of fear because he had told her he couldn’t have kids.

Or maybe... she was raped.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. That would be a reason to doubt the paternity of her baby. That would explain everything.

Ethan felt sick as his mind flickered back to the moment he had dragged Mara down the stairs like she was nothing. Like she was some cheap whore. When he accused her of an abortion.

His stomach churned with regret, his hands shaking as he covered his face. How could he have done that? How could he have let his anger get the best of him? He should have listened to her. He should have given her a chance to explain instead of accusing her.

What if all of this was a misunderstanding?

How would he face his wife again? freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Ethan’s heart pounded as he gripped the steering wheel, his mind racing faster than his car. Whatever had happened, he needed to talk to Mara. He couldn’t live without her. They had to find a way out of this together. With that thought, he turned the car around and sped toward the Shepherd mansion.

Just as Steve pulled up to the iron gates of the mansion, their eyes fell on a car parked there. At first, they couldn’t make out who it was.

"I swear, if that arrogant bastard Ethan is here, I won’t spare him," Steve muttered under his breath, his hands tightening into fists. The rage in his voice was unmistakable.

Even Stefan, who usually preached patience and reason, didn’t try to calm him down. Ethan deserved whatever was coming his way.

As they inched closer, their suspicions were confirmed, it was Ethan.

Steve slammed on the brakes, ready to jump out and confront him, but before he could move, Mara’s hand shot out, stopping him.

"Let me handle this, Steve."

Both brothers turned to look at her. "Stef, come on," Stefan said, shaking his head. They knew for a fact that she still loved Ethan. Maybe she thought his sweet words would work on her again. Maybe she was ready to forgive him.

But the look in her eyes told them otherwise.

"I said, I’ll handle it," Mara repeated, her tone firm. There was no room for argument, no trace of doubt. Her voice carried something else too anger. Not just anger, but exhaustion. She was fed up. Done. Completely and utterly done.

She wouldn’t fall for his pretty face. She wouldn’t let his smooth words sway her. She didn’t care for his apologies anymore.

She was done being hurt. And Ethan was about to find that out the hard way.

Mara stepped out of the car, her body tense with fury, and stormed toward Ethan. Her heels clicked against the pavement, matching the rapid beat of her heart. Ethan saw her coming and ran a hand through his thick hair, exhaling heavily as he walked toward her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Mara’s voice was sharp, cutting through the night air. "Did you bring the divorce papers? Where do I sign? Or were the insults you threw at me not enough? Did you come to add more? Go ahead let’s hear it. What other names do you have for me?"

Ethan stared at her, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. This wasn’t what he had expected. He thought she would scream at him, slap him, maybe even break down in tears. But the fire in her eyes told him she was past all that.

"Mara... we need to talk," Ethan said, his voice quieter now. He hesitated before asking, "Were you... I mean, did someone take advantage of you?"

Mara froze. For a moment, she could only stare at him, her expression shifting from fury to disbelief. Her body tensed, and then she let out a bitter, humorless laugh.

"You can’t be serious," she whispered, shaking her head. "You think that’s what happened?"

Ethan swallowed hard. "I just need to know the truth."

Mara’s hands clenched into fists. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. After everything, after all the pain he put her through, this was what he thought?

She took a slow, deep breath, forcing herself to stay in control. But inside, she was boiling.

He didn’t deserve her anger anymore.

He didn’t deserve anything from her anymore.