THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX IS BACK

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6

Nora’s POV

“Mommy!” Eva’s voice rang out as she ran toward me, her little arms outstretched. I lifted her into my arms, holding her close. But then I froze.

Standing by his car, staring at us like he’d seen a ghost, was Ethan.

I wasn’t ready for this. Not now.

“You’re… married?” Ethan’s voice cut through the air, sharp and confused, his eyes glued to Eva. He didn’t even look at me.

I swallowed, trying to steady myself. “Ethan, leave. You shouldn’t be here.”

His gaze didn’t shift. He stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Whose kid is that, Nora?”

I shifted Eva on my hip, trying to protect her from the tension crackling between us. “That’s none of your concern.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “None of my concern?” His voice grew harder. “She looks exactly like me, Nora. Exactly like me. She even has my eyes.”

“I don’t owe you any explanations,” I snapped. “Not after what you did.”

“You expect me to walk away?” He was incredulous now. “Tell me the truth. Is she mine?”

I glanced at Eva, her innocent face watching us, and felt my heart sink. “Ethan, just go.”

“Is she mine, Nora?” His voice was louder now, insistent.

I closed my eyes for a second, knowing I couldn’t avoid it anymore. “Yes. She’s your daughter.”

Ethan stared at me, his jaw clenched, eyes wide. “You kept her from me?” His voice shook with anger.

“I didn’t have a choice,” I said quietly.

He took a step forward, his voice rising. “You didn’t have a choice? You had every choice! You should’ve told me!”

I shook my head. “You were with Vanessa. You chose her.”

His fists clenched at his sides. “That’s not an excuse! You should’ve told me I had a daughter.”

I looked away, trying to keep my voice calm. “Why? So she could see her father choose someone else over her too?”

Ethan flinched but didn’t back down. “I would’ve been there for her. You had no right to make that decision for me.”

I couldn’t believe his audacity. “You weren’t there for me, Ethan. You believed every lie Vanessa told you. You didn’t fight for us. I wasn’t going to let you ruin her life the way you ruined mine.”

He stared at me, his face a mix of shock and anger. “I’m not with Vanessa anymore.”

“That doesn’t change anything.”

Ethan took a deep breath, his eyes softening as they landed on Eva. “I’m her father, Nora. I deserve to know her.”

“You don’t get to walk in after four years and demand to be a dad,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “She doesn’t know you.”

“I can change that,” he said, his tone shifting to pleading. “Let me be part of her life.”

I held Eva closer, trying to shield her from this moment. “You can’t just barge back in. I’m protecting her.”

“You think keeping her from me is protecting her?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

“Yes. Because I know what you’re capable of.”

Ethan stepped back, his eyes clouding with something I didn’t want to name. “I’m not giving up, Nora. I’m her father. And I’ll fight for her.”

He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, Eva still in my arms, wondering how everything had spiraled out of control so fast.