The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 20: My Root 1

"There’s an emergency," Mara shrieked, her face ashen. But before Maria could react, she quickly added, "But don’t worry, everything is fine. Did you need something?"

She forced her voice to stay calm, unwilling to add her problems to Maria’s already heavy burden. Besides, maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was all in her head. Ethan loves me. He still looks at me the way he did the first time we met. Doesn’t he?

But the nagging voice in her mind refused to be silenced.

Maria studied Mara carefully, her sad eyes filled with hesitation. Maybe—just maybe—she wasn’t ruining a perfect home. Maybe things between Mara and Ethan weren’t as picture-perfect as she had thought. The guilt she had been carrying felt a little lighter.

"I wanted to tell you something, but I guess..." Maria trailed off.

Mara straightened her posture, forcing a smile, refusing to let doubt consume her. "Tell me, Maria. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. Ethan will be back soon."

She wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince—Maria or herself.

"It’s nothing serious," Maria said quickly, forcing a smile. "I thought we could do something together, but on second thought, you need rest. I’ll just go clear my head."

Mara studied her, sensing something was off, but she was too drained to press further.

Maria hesitated for a moment. Maybe she didn’t need to tell Mara about the pregnancy. And since Ethan hadn’t mentioned it either, that only meant one thing—he was keeping more secrets.

Her thoughts flickered to the kiss she had shared with Ethan. Maybe she should find him. Talk to him. Figure out where they stood before things spiraled further out of control.

"Alright then, you take care," Mara finally said, letting it go. "I do need the rest, though. Call me if you need anything."

She hugged Maria, her warmth genuine, her face lighting up. Maria returned the hug, and for the first time in a while, the crushing guilt pressing against her chest felt a little lighter.

Mara was left alone in the cold, empty room, and Ethan’s absence weighed heavily on her. This was the man who once couldn’t take his eyes off her—now he had walked away without a second thought.

She wasn’t naive. Something was wrong. But after everything they had built together, all the trust they had been nurturing, she decided to give him space. He would talk when he was ready.

Refusing to let the situation consume her, Mara took a deep breath and pulled herself together. She dressed in a sleek purple silk blouse and black pants, letting her hair fall in soft waves around her shoulders. She wouldn’t let today be ruined.

It was past noon when she finally stepped out of the room, her best smile in place.

"Are you going out, ma’am?" Mrs. Morgan asked, her surprise evident. First, Ethan had left in a hurry. Then Maria had followed. And now Mara was stepping out too. The day that was supposed to be spent together was unraveling before her eyes, and she couldn’t help but wonder what exactly was going on.

"Yes, Mrs. Morgan, I’m heading to the office," Mara replied, descending the stairs with effortless grace. Mrs. Morgan, however, remained stunned.

"Did something happen? I mean, it’s a bit late to—" she hesitated, watching Mara closely.

"Nothing serious," Mara cut in quickly, her tone light but distant. "Just something I need to take care of. I won’t be long."

She was already at the door when Mrs. Morgan noticed something odd—Mara had just told the driver she’d be going alone.

"Ma’am, it’s not safe—" the driver began, stepping forward.

"I’ll be fine," Mara insisted, her voice firm. Before he could protest further, she slid into the car and started the engine.

The driver stood frozen, torn between duty and self-preservation. If he called Ethan, he risked losing his job for interfering. But if something happened to Mara, he’d be in trouble either way. fгeewebnovёl.com

His only hope? That Mara was back before Ethan returned.

He exchanged a tense glance with Mrs. Morgan, silently praying this wouldn’t turn into a disaster and make him lose his job.

Mara drove out of the mansion, her grip tight on the steering wheel. Within minutes, she pulled into the parking lot, her arrival sending ripples through the office.

The moment she stepped out of the car, every pair of eyes landed on her. The murmurs began almost instantly.

"Showing up at this hour? Just because she won one case, she thinks she owns the place."

"Please, she’s just a nobody. Who does she think she is?"

"What do you expect? When you have a sugar daddy, and suddenly you’re a queen."

Mara heard every word, but she didn’t flinch. Instead, she straightened her blouse, adjusted her hair, and walked forward with effortless confidence. If they were going to talk, they might as well admire how stunning she looked while doing so.

They envied her. They wished they were her. And when they couldn’t be, they turned to spite.

"She thinks she belongs here?"

"Orphan girl with no name, no roots. She doesn’t deserve this life."

Mara heard them and felt the weight of their words pressing against her. But they didn’t know her story. They didn’t know what it took to get here—the sleepless nights, the endless jobs, the fight for survival as a ten-year-old fending for herself. They saw the outcome, not the struggle.

And she owed no one an explanation.

With a determined look, she squared her shoulders, spun on her heels, and strode toward her office like she owned the building.

"Mara."

The familiar voice made her pause. Bruce. He was already on his feet, closing the distance between them, flashing that charming smile.

Ethan stepped into the building with Steph by his side, his mind still tangled in the mess of earlier events. But the moment his eyes landed on Mara standing too close to Bruce, her expression calm made his blood boil.

She should be home. She should be upset. But here she was, smiling, talking to Bruce of all people.

"I need to speak to her," Ethan muttered, already striding forward, fists clenched.

Steph grabbed his arm, stopping him. "I don’t think that’s a good idea. You probably hurt her feelings," he said carefully. "And you’re clearly upset. If you talk to her now, you’ll just make things worse."

Ethan’s jaw tightened, he wasn’t wrong, and he knew it. But knowing didn’t make it easier.

His gaze flickered back to Mara, oblivious to his presence, her attention fully on Bruce, Bruce, who was catching feelings for her, and Ethan could see that.

The realization snapped something inside him. Without another word, Ethan turned on his heels and stormed out before Mara could see him.

Steph sighed, following close behind.

"The main star vanishes right after the victory," Bruce murmured, his gaze lingering on Maria’s breathtaking figure.

"I had something to take care of," Mara replied, tilting her head slightly. "Besides, we all worked hard. What’s that?" She gestured toward the file in his hands.

"The new case," Bruce said, tapping the folder. "But Jason is lead counsel."

Mara nodded a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "I see. Well, I could use a distraction. Why don’t you walk me through it?"

Bruce hesitated for just a second, then motioned toward the conference room. As he led her inside, one thought echoed in his mind—he would love nothing more than to have her all to himself.

As Mara and Bruce spoke, the last person she wanted to see walked in—Jason. Her insufferable adopted brother.

Jason leaned against the doorway, a smug smirk plastered across his face. He lived for moments like this, any chance to gloat over her distress.

"Well, look who we have here," he drawled. "I was starting to think you were on your deathbed. You know, there was real talk about kicking you out of the firm. Ignoring your client like that—what were you thinking? Just because you won the case? Please. Mr. Anderson must have felt sorry for you."

Mara barely spared him a glance, flipping through the file as if he wasn’t even there. She had no interest in entertaining his games.

Bruce, however, frowned. He couldn’t help but wonder—why was Jason so angry at Mara?

Jason crossed his arms, a wicked glint in his eyes. "I’ve been meaning to ask who’s sleeping with the boss. You or your dear friend Maria? Or is it both of you?" he taunted remembering how intimate Maria and Ethan were the other day at the mall.

Mara had every intention of ignoring him, but at that, she straightened, fixing him with an amused look.

"Why do you care?" she asked, tilting her head. "Jealous? Maybe because no one would even look at you, let alone sleep with you?" A slow, sardonic smile curled on her lips.

Jason’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. She had struck a nerve, and they both knew it, every girl he liked not only liked him back but actually detested him.

Mara let out a soft chuckle, tapping a finger against the file. "Did I touch a nerve?" she mused, her voice all too casual.

Jason said nothing, but the tension in the room thickened, his silence proof enough that she had hit exactly where it hurt.

Jason chuckled, shaking his head. "No, you didn’t." His tone was light, but his eyes gleamed with something darker. He knew Mara had no one to back her up, and he was looking forward to having her right where he wanted, under his thumb, working for him, powerless.

"I have information about your family," he said, his smirk widening. He could already taste victory, certain that he had her cornered.

Mara’s breath hitched for just a second, but she quickly masked it. Her past was a puzzle she had never been able to solve, and for the briefest moment, curiosity flickered inside her. A part of her one she hated to acknowledge and longed to know where she truly came from.

Jason took a step back, gesturing toward the hallway. "Follow me to my office."