The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back Chapter 12: To Her Rescue

Ethan, using his contacts, had the police track Maria down. They found her in Atlantic.

"Baby, I have so news... but it's not good," Ethan said softly. He had been watching Mara all night, knowing she wouldn't rest until she heard sothing.

Mara turned to him, her eyes desperate. "Just tell , please."

Ethan sighed, pulling her close. "They found her unconscious at ho. She's in the hospital now, but..." He hesitated, hating the words he had to say next. "The doctors... they're not very hopeful."

Mara's breath stops. Her knees weakened, and before she could stop herself, she collapsed into Ethan's arms, sobbing.

Ethan held her tightly, his heart breaking at the sight of her pain. For the first ti, he felt helpless. He could control so many things, and fix so many problems... but he couldn't take away this pain.

And that hurt more than anything. "I want to be with her... please, take to her," Mara sobbed, gripping Ethan's shirt as if holding on to him would keep her from falling apart.

Ethan cupped her face gently, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. "Baby, listen to ," he said softly. "I'll take you to her, but you must be strong. She's going to need you now more than ever."

Mara nodded, trying to steady her breathing, but the fear in her chest wouldn't go away.

Without wasting another second, Ethan grabbed his keys. "Let's go."

Mara didn't hesitate. She slipped on her coat and followed him out the door, praying with everything in her that Maria would still be holding on when they got there.

Ethan sped towards the airport, his private jet waiting to fly them off to Atlantic City. Mara's heart raced faster than the car. Her best friend, Maria-Isabel, was in the hospital, and Mara couldn't shake the guilt. She'd only left her alone for a week how could things have gone so wrong?

As they landed and rushed to the hospital, Mara's anxiety grew. She marched through the sliding doors, Ethan trailing behind her. The air felt heavy, and every pair of eyes in the lobby seed to follow her. Ignoring the stares, she made it to the reception desk.

"Maria-Isabel Williams," Mara blurted out, her voice trembling. The nurse tapped away at her computer, her expression unreadable. Mara's fingers drumd impatiently on the counter. "Well? Is she here?"

The nurse shook her head. "No patient by that na."

Mara's stomach dropped. Then it hit her. "What about Maria-Isabel Lewis? Try that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The nurse's fingers moved again, and this ti, she nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Lewis was admitted early this evening."

Relief and fear collided in Mara's chest. "Which room is she in?" she demanded.

The nurse hesitated. "Are you family? I'm sorry, but only family is allowed right now. Her husband just arrived."

Mara froze. Her blood ran cold. "Her husband?" she spat, her voice rising. "That man is the reason she's here!" Her hands clenched into fists, and she was ready to storm past the desk.

Ethan stepped in, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "Alright, baby, take a breath. Let handle this." Mara shot him a look but held her tongue as he spoke quietly to the nurse. Monts later, he returned, a small slip of paper in his hand.

"I've got her room number," he said, guiding Mara away from the desk. She was still seething, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. But Ethan's steady presence kept her moving forward.

As they approached the elevator, Mara's thoughts spiraled. What would they find in that room? And more importantly, what would they do about the man who had put Maria there? The doors slid open, and Mara stepped inside her resolve hardening.

Mara's heart shattered the mont she stepped into the hospital room. Maria-Isabel lay on the bed, bruises covering her arms and legs yet not a single mark on her face. Just like him to make sure the damage stays hidden.

Daniel stood beside her, gently cradling her face, playing the role of the worried husband.

Ethan glanced at Mara. "I'll wait outside," he offered.

Mara barely nodded before storming into the room. "Maria!" she gasped, tears filling her eyes. She shoved Daniel aside and wrapped her arms around her best friend.

Maria-Isabel let out a soft sob. "Mara..."

"Nice to see you too," Daniel cut in sarcastically. "I thought you left town."

Mara shot him a cold glare, ignoring him completely. She knew exactly who had done this.

Turning back to Maria, she softened. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay now," Maria whispered, wincing as she tried to sit up.

"Slowly," Mara murmured, helping her adjust.

Just then, the door swung open, and two police officers stepped inside.

"We need to take your statent, Mrs. Lewis," one of them said.

Mara clenched her jaw. Finally, so justice.

Maria swallowed hard. "So guy broke into our apartnt... He was trying to steal so valuables," she whispered, cradling her ribs.

Mara's breath sank. She's lying. She's still protecting him.

"Did you see his face?" one of the officers asked.

Maria hesitated. Her eyes flicked toward Daniel before she answered.

"No."

Mara shook her head in disbelief. The officers exchanged glances. With no useful information, they wrapped up quickly and left, looking unconvinced.

Mara squeezed Maria's hand gently, wishing, praying that she would wake up and stop defending the man who had done this to her.

Daniel cleared his throat. "My wife needs rest. You should leave."

Mara's spine stiffened. She t his gaze without flinching. "I'm not leaving, Daniel. Not this ti."

His jaw tightened. He wanted to argue, but Maria was already slipping into sedation. Without another word, he turned and stord out, slamming the door behind him.

Mara exhaled slowly, holding Maria's hand tighter. I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere

Ethan glanced at Mara, who sat motionless, her eyes fixed on Maria-Isabel. He could see the weight of worry pressing down on her.

"I'll be outside making so calls," he said gently. "Call if you need ."

Mara nodded, grateful for his presence.

Before leaving, Ethan shot a sharp glare at Maria lying in the hospital bed, then leaned down and kissed Mara's forehead. As he stepped out, his chest tightened. Maria's fragile state reminded him too much of his late sister, she had suffered the sa fate. He clenched his fists and made a silent promise: I'll help Mara save her, no matter what it takes.

Suddenly, Maria jolted awake, her breath ragged from a nightmare.

"It's alright, Maria. I'm here," Mara whispered, squeezing her hand.

Maria exhaled shakily, relieved that Daniel was nowhere in sight. But even now, she couldn't bring herself to open up about his abuse or the unbearable days she had spent in the hospital, alone with her pain.

Her mind drifted back to the monts of dread waiting for Daniel to return ho, her heart pounding in fear. He always found sothing wrong. And when he did, he made sure she paid for it.

Maria swallowed hard. She knew Mara would never judge her, but she had warned her. She told not to marry him. She told I was walking into hell. And I did it anyway.

Mara, watching her closely, knew she wouldn't talk. Not yet. So instead of pushing, she tried to lighten the mood. Mara told her all about Salvador and her crazy flash marriage to Ethan. Maria managed a weak smile. "No, you did not?"

Mara chuckled, launching into the story, hoping just for a mont to make her friend forget the darkness waiting for her outside that hospital door.

Maria had drifted back to sleep, her breathing shallow but steady. Mara stepped out into the hallway, and Ethan was on the phone. She leaned into him, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish I knew how to get her out of this ss," she sighed, her head resting on his shoulder.

Ethan ended the call and wrapped an arm around her, his voice low and steady. "You'll figure it out. But Mara, n like Daniel don't change. They only get worse." His words were heavy with warning, and Mara knew he was right. She just didn't know how to make Maria see it.

The first light of dawn was creeping through the windows when Mara decided to check on Maria again. "It's almost dayti," she said, pulling away from Ethan. "Let see how she's doing."

But when she stepped back into the room, her heart sank. Maria was awake, and Daniel was there, his voice sharp as he tried to pull her out of bed. "Maybe I should stay with my parents for a few days," Maria murmured weakly, her voice trembling.

Daniel's grip tightened on her arm. "You're coming ho with now. Those bruises are nothing they won't kill you," he snapped, yanking her upright and forcing her to stand. He began roughly helping her into her clothes, ignoring her winces of pain.

Mara's blood boiled. She stepped forward, blocking Daniel's path. "Maria isn't leaving this hospital until the doctors say she can," she said firmly, her voice like steel. She stood tall, shielding Maria like she always had.

Daniel's face twisted with anger. "Get the hell out of my face!" he roared, shoving Mara hard. Her head slamd against the wall, and for a mont, the room spun. Maria cried out, her voice frantic. "Mara!"

But Mara didn't back down. Instead, she did sothing that made Daniel freeze. She leaned her head back and deliberately hit it against the wall again and again. Blood began to trickle down her face, staining her skin and dripping onto the floor. She turned to Daniel, her eyes blazing with defiance, her face a mask of fury and determination.

Daniel stumbled back, his face pale. "You're crazy," he muttered, his voice shaking. For the first ti, he looked unsure, even afraid.

Mara didn't flinch. She stood tall, blood trickling down her face, her eyes locked onto Daniel with an icy glare.

"Try ," she said, her voice low and dangerous.

Daniel's jaw tightened, but before he could speak, Mara stepped closer, wiping the blood from her face with the back of her hand.

"You keep forgetting I'm a lawyer. And a damn good one at that," she snapped. "Plus, we're in a hospital, and you just assaulted . My husband isn't called 'Little Devil' for nothing. If I were you, I'd run before I throw your sorry ass in prison. That's if he doesn't find you first."

Daniel hesitated, his bravado cracking for just a second. He knew if Mara reported him, things wouldn't end well for him.

"This isn't over," he spat. "You think you know her? That's what she does—she makes people risk it all for her. She did it to , and she'll do it to you too. Just wait and see."

With one final glare, he stord out, leaving behind a thick cloud of tension.

Mara turned to Maria-Isabel, pulling her into a tight embrace as Maria sobbed into her shoulder.

Just then, Ethan walked in, his expression shifting from concern to fury the mont he saw Mara's face.

His jaw clenched. "Did he do this?"

He reached out, gently touching the cut on her cheek. Mara winced, sucking in a sharp breath.

Ethan's entire body tensed. His blood boiled.

Daniel had just made the worst mistake of his life.

"It's nothing," Mara said quickly, though the sting on her face told a different story. She turned to Ethan, her eyes pleading. "Can Maria stay with us for a few days? Just until she's safe from Daniel?"

Ethan didn't hesitate. "Of course. As long as she needs."

He stepped closer to Maria and offered a kind smile. "Hey, I'm Ethan. It's nice to et you. Your friend here was really worried, she wouldn't stop talking about how amazing you are."

Maria let out a soft, innocent smile the kind that could make even the coldest heartache for her.

Ethan gave her a reassuring nod before heading out to arrange her discharge papers.

As soon as he was gone, Maria turned to Mara, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're crazy. And I still can't believe you got married!" Then her smile faded. "Wait... does your face not hurt?"

Mara sighed, gingerly touching the fresh wound. "Oh, it hurts. Badly. But it was worth it it was the only way to make Daniel leave." Before Maria could respond, the door opened, and a nurse walked in, carrying a tray of dical supplies. She flashed Mara a bright, almost amused smile.

"That looks pretty bad," the nurse said cheerfully. "The gentleman outside sent to stitch you up."

Mara groaned. She could only imagine what Ethan had told her.

Mara was all stitched up, and Maria had finally changed out of the hospital gown. Thankfully, Daniel had brought so of her things earlier, one of the very few useful things he had ever done.

"Alright, ladies, ready to go?" Ethan asked, standing by the door.

Mara smiled, grabbing Maria's bag and handing it to him before turning to help Maria walk. But as they reached the steps, Maria swayed slightly, looking pale and exhausted.

"Ethan, could you please help Maria to the car?" Mara asked, concern etched on her face.

Ethan hesitated for just a second before nodding. "Of course."

He wasn't exactly thrilled about holding another woman, but Maria needed help, and Mara had asked. Carefully, he scooped her up, making sure not to cause her any more pain.

Maria stiffened at first. She wasn't used to this kindness. Every ti she had asked Daniel for sothing, she had paid for it with bruises. Yet here was Ethan, holding her like she was sothing fragile, sothing precious.

She stared up at him, dazed as if trying to understand how a man could be both strong and gentle at the sa ti.

For the first ti in a long ti, she felt safe.

Maria stared at Ethan, but her mind was far away, dragged back into the nightmare she had tried so hard to forget.

On her wedding night after Daniel had thrown her out of the car, she had wandered the streets in her torn dress, shivering, lost. When a group of n cornered her, she scread for help, only to see Daniel pull over and watch from a distance unmoved.

His favorite part had always been the pain. He enjoyed it. Said it made things more exciting. Riding her like she was nothing, lashing her like it was his right.

A shudder ran through her, and she forced herself back to the present.

Ethan carefully placed her in the car, moving with the kind of gentleness she had never known.

Mara settled beside her, offering a small, reassuring smile.

From the rearview mirror, Ethan caught Maria's gaze, piercing at him. He could tell how much she had endured and the realization alone made his stomach turn.