The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back

Ethan saw the fear flicker across Maria's face before she even spoke. Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, his hold firm yet reassuring.

"Calm down, I'm here, am I not?" he murmured against her hair. "No one can hurt you from now on." His voice was steady, protective.

Maria took a deep breath and finally let out a relieved sigh. "Jason."

Ethan stiffened as he turned to face the man standing before them. Jason's gaze flicked between them, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Are you and Mara sharing men now?" he sneered. "Where's your husband?"

Maria's body tensed again, guilt creeping into her features. Ethan slowly loosened his hold but stayed close, his jaw tightening at Jason's words.

"Shut up, Jason. Ethan is—" Maria started, but the words got caught in her throat. She wasn't doing anything wrong, yet she couldn't shake the guilt of how happy she had felt just moments ago.

Jason let out a dry chuckle. "I must admit, the two of you make quite the sight better than my sister," he said smugly, his smirk widening. "One friend is submissive, the other is fire. A complete package."

Ethan's fists clenched at his sides, rage simmering beneath the surface. He wanted to wipe that smirk off Jason's face, but he took a deep breath, forcing himself to hold back. It wasn't worth it.

But Jason wasn't entirely wrong. Mara was fire—strong, independent, commanding. And Maria… Maria was warm, gentle yet resilient. They were nothing alike, yet both had somehow found their way into his life.

Ethan took a step forward, his voice low and deadly. "I think you need to watch what you say."

Jason held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, boss. Just making an observation."

Ethan didn't move, his piercing gaze locked on Jason. The message was clear: one more word and he wouldn't hesitate to end this conversation with his fists.

Maria swallowed hard, placing a gentle hand on Ethan's arm. "Let's go," she whispered.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before finally stepping back, his muscles still tight with restrained anger.

Jason smirked again, but this time, there was an edge of caution in his eyes. He had pushed, but he knew better than to push any further.

As Ethan and Maria walked away, Maria let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Thank you," she said softly.

Ethan didn't reply, but the way his hand rested protectively on her back said more than words ever could.

****

Mara's heart pounded in her chest as she rushed out of the courtroom. Ethan had promised he would be home before she returned.

The moment the car pulled up in front of their house, she barely waited for it to stop before pushing the door open and sprinting inside. She made her way to their bedroom, but before she could reach it, Mrs. Morgan, their housekeeper, appeared in the hallway.

"You're back early today, ma'am," Mrs. Morgan said, looking surprised.

"Yes," Mara answered quickly, barely stopping. "Is Ethan resting in our room?"

Mrs. Morgan hesitated before shaking her head. "Sir isn't back yet. Is everything okay?"

Mara felt a sudden, sharp pang of anxiety. 

Why are you not back? She hated this feeling—the helplessness, the not knowing. And worst of all, the nagging voice in her head whispered that maybe, just maybe, she had been too distracted to notice something important about Ethan.

She had trusted Ethan when he said the procedure was minor. She hadn't even asked for details, assuming he would be fine. What if something went wrong?

Without wasting another second, she pulled out her phone and dialed Steph's number. He picked up after a few rings.

"Are you with Ethan?" Mara asked, her voice sharp and breathless.

"No," Steph answered, his tone quiet as if he were trying not to be overheard. "I had to handle something at the office."

Mara's grip on the phone tightened. "He's not back, and I can't get through to his phone. Send me the hospital details—I'm going to check."

Steph hesitated. "Maybe you should wait. I'm sure he'll be home soon."

Mara's stomach twisted. Something in Steph's voice didn't sit right with her.

"What do you mean? What if…" Her voice trailed off, unable to say her worst fear out loud.

"I mean," Steph quickly cut in, "I'll call the hospital and find out. Just stay put. I'll get back to you soon. Also, I heard you won the case—"

Mara's patience snapped.

"Seriously, Steph? You think I care about the case right now when I don't know where my husband is?" she snapped, her emotions overwhelming her.

She hated this feeling—the helplessness, the not knowing. And worst of all, the nagging voice in her head whispered that maybe, just maybe, she had been too distracted to notice something important about Ethan.

Mara's grip on the phone tightened as she watched the scene outside. Maria and Ethan stepped out of the car, laughing about something she couldn't hear. Ethan looked perfectly fine—healthy, smiling, carefree.

For hours, she had been consumed by worry, fearing the worst. And yet, here he was, acting as if nothing had happened.

Her jaw clenched.

"Don't bother," she muttered into the phone. "He just got here."

She ended the call without waiting for Steph's reply.

By the time Ethan and Maria walked through the door, Mara was already standing there, holding her phone, her expression unreadable. The moment they saw her, they froze.

The laughter died on their lips. The air in the room shifted, turning heavy with tension.

Maria swallowed nervously, her eyes flickering between Mara and Ethan. She hadn't expected to face Mara like this, not after the lighthearted moments they had shared earlier.

Ethan met his wife's gaze, immediately recognizing the anger simmering beneath her calm exterior. He could almost hear her unspoken words—Where have you been? Why didn't you call? 

The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.

Mara finally spoke, her voice dangerously quiet. "And why are both your phones off?"

"Off?" Ethan frowned, staring at his phone. He didn't remember turning it off. When he pressed the power button, he realized the battery was completely drained.

"I'm so sorry, Mara. My phone died," Maria said softly, guilt evident in her voice. She hated that she had made Mara worry.

Ethan stepped closer and wrapped his arms around his wife. "I'm sorry I worried you," he murmured. "We didn't want to stay in the hospital, so we went to get some groceries."

Mara, still upset, pulled back slightly. "Why didn't you call? I was so worried," she whispered, her voice barely holding back frustration.

Ethan cupped her face gently. "I didn't want to interrupt your court session. I know how important this case is to you," he said before placing a soft kiss on her lips, hoping to ease her anger.

Maria shifted uncomfortably, feeling responsible. "It's my fault," she admitted. "He wanted to go to work, but I thought shopping would be less stressful."

Just then, the maids walked in, carrying bags of groceries. Maria quickly stopped one of them and rummaged through a bag, pulling out a can with a small smile.

"Wait, please." She turned to Mara, holding it up like an offering. "I'm sorry."

Mara looked at the can, then at Maria, before breaking into a smile.

"Sauce sausage?" she chuckled.

Maria grinned, relieved. "Yes, your favorite. Forgiven now?"

Mara shook her head with a fond smile. "I could never stay mad at you." She hugged Maria before pulling back to take the can from her hand.

"Nope," Maria teased, stepping away. "We're warming it up first. You never change." She winked before heading to the kitchen.

Mara turned to Ethan, her expression softening with concern. "How was the surgery? You should be in bed." Her voice dropped to a whisper, worry etched across her face.

"I'm fine. It was nothing," Ethan assured her, pulling her into a hug.

Mara sighed against his chest. "I'm still mad at you for making me worry," she mumbled. "But I'll let it go—for now. You don't look great. Let's eat so you can get some rest."

Ethan chuckled and planted soft kisses along her cheek. "You're impossible," he murmured, hoping to melt the last bit of her frustration.

That evening, Mara and Ethan had dinner alone. Maria had claimed she wasn't hungry and wanted to rest.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, watching Mara with admiration. "How was the case?" There was a quiet pride in his voice.

Mara shrugged casually. "We won."

Ethan's face lit up. "That's my baby girl. So proud of you."

Mara smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. No matter what happened, Ethan was always in her corner.

"We should celebrate," Ethan insisted, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Get better first," Mara teased, smiling. They shared a lingering look, the kind that spoke volumes without a single word.

Mara stood from her chair and leaned over him, her fingers brushing against his jaw. "You really scared me today," she whispered. "I thought I was going to lose you."

Ethan reached for her, his grip firm yet gentle. "Never," he murmured. "You will never lose me." Their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss, filled with love.

Maria stopped in the doorway, her breath catching in her throat. She hadn't meant to walk in on them. But as she watched Ethan hold Mara with such tenderness, something twisted inside her.

She didn't understand it. Didn't want to understand it. But the ache in her chest was undeniable.

Without a word, she turned and slipped back to her room, unnoticed. Because the truth was terrifying. She was starting to like her best friend's husband.