Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husband by Isabella Reed

Chapter 166

+8 Pearls

“You got another message? So what? Why are you botheringin the middle of the night for something so

small-wait a second!” James's voice changed abruptly, turning serious. “A letter... Are you talking about that

letter? The psycho’s so-called love letter?”

“Yes,” Ethan replied, his tone flat.

“Hold on...” James said, followed by the sound of shuffling, smovement, and finally the quiet click of a door

closing. He cback with urgency in his voice, asking, “What did it say? Another threat?”

“Yeah,” Ethan responded, detailing the contents of the ominous message.

James let out a frustrated sigh. “Ethan, this is getting out of hand. We can’t just ignore it anymore. We don’t

know what this person is planning or what their next move might be. Heck, we don’t even know who they are!

Honestly, it's embarrassing that | haven't been able to trace them yet. It feels like my hacking skills are useless

against this guy.”

“Hey, James, stop that,” Ethan interrupted, his voice firm but reassuring. “You're the best at what you do. Don’t

doubt yourself, and definitely don’t compare yourself to this psycho. | trust you, and you should too. You'll figure

this out-I know you will. Besides, no one comes close to matching your skills... except for him.”

James let out a small laugh. “Yeah, him. That guy was on another level. Even back when we were kids, he stood

out. Better than any of us.”

Ethan's lips curved into a faint smile as memories cflooding back. “That's true. He was the best.”

“Do you remember, Ethan?” James's tone lightened. “Whenever we played together, you'd always challenge

him. And without fail, he’d win every single time.” James chuckled. “And oh, those words he'd say whenever you

lost-do you still remember?”

“How could | ever forget?” Ethan's chuckle carried a mix of nostalgia and pain. “He'd say, A future king never

loses, But since you're my best friend, we both win.”

“I miss those days,” James admitted with a wistful sigh. “And | miss him. If he were still here, Ethan, he'd be your

greatest rival.”

“Stop,” Ethan cut in sharply, his voice tight. “Don’t talk about him like that. We don’t know for sure if he’s... if

he’s gone.”

“Ethan...” James started cautiously, but Ethan interrupted him.

“No, James! Don’t say it. He's not gone. He's out there somewhere-I know he is! He can’t be... he c dead,”

Ethan's voice cracked, faltering as emotion overtook him. “He's alive. He has to be. He didn’t didn’t...”

Ethan's voice trailed off, breaking completely. The mention of Pedro shattered the carefully constructed walls

he’d built around his heart, walls that had kept the memories, the pain, and the longing locked away. But now,

they all ccrashing down, flooding his mind with everything he’d tried so hard to forget.

Ethan's heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces. His body trembled as he slowly made his way to a

nearby chair, sinking into it heavily. His hands reached up to his face, and he rubbed his eyes in a futile attempt

to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

“Fihan are you okay?” lames’s voice carried deen concern through the nhone

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“It's my fault, isn’t it, James?” Ethan whispered, his voice barely audible. “It’s all my fault that he’s not here with

us anymore.”

“Stop right there, Ethan!” James cut in firmly. “Don’t you dare let that thought take root in your mind. None of

this is your fault-do you hear me? If anyone is to blame, it’s his wretched father. That man was the true villain in

this story, not you. Pedro’s father was manipulative, cruel, and selfish. Everything that happened was because of

him, not you.”

Ethan remained silent, his guilt weighing heavily on him.

James's tone softened slightly, though it remained steady. “Listen to me, Ethan. You did nothing wrong. The fault

lies with that rotten man and his actions. Don’t shoulder this burden-it’s not yours to carry. Do you understand

me?”

After a moment, Ethan took a deep breath. “I know,” he murmured.

James continued, sensing his friend's pain. “About that letter.... don’t worry. I'll check into it again and see what |

can find.”

“Hmm,” Ethan replied quietly.

“And Ethan, whether Pedro is alive or not, one thing is certain-you’re not responsible for what happened. Stop

blaming yourself.”

“I know,” Ethan sighed deeply. “Thanks, James. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Ethan,” James replied, his voice still laced with concern.

As the call ended, Ethan placed his phone on the table and got up. He walked to the window, his gaze drawn to

the glowing moon outside. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. Logically, he knew James was right. It wasn’t his fault.

But the guilt remained, gnawing at him like a shadow he couldn't escape.

He had done the right thing back then. He had spoken the truth. His actions, his decisions-they had all been

justified. But the cost? The price he paid was his best friend, Pedro. He had lost him.

He didn’t know if Pedro was alive. And if he was... would he hate him? Would he blhim for what had

happened? Those questions haunted Ethan, twisting his heart with doubt and fear. Staring at the moon, he

silently made a wish. He'd rather live with Pedro’s hatred than accept the unbearable possibility that his best

friend might no longer be alive.

Lost in his thoughts, Ethan didn’t hear the soft footsteps approaching him. He was startled when a pair of arms

wrapped gently around his waist.

“Ethan, what are you doing here?” Lily’s warm voice broke through his clouded mind.

He turned around wordlessly and pulled her into a tight embrace. Lily frowned at his sudden a n but didn’t resist.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around him and began rubbing his back in comforting circles. She didn’t know

what was troubling him or why he seemed so broken, but she chose not to ask.

After a few moments of silence, she tilted her head to look at him. “Ethan, are you alright? Do you want to talk

about it?” she asked softly.

Ethan shook his head slightly. “Lily, I... No. Not tonight,” he said in a low, shaky voice. “But | promise, I'll tell you

one day. Just... not now.”

Understanding his need for time, Lily nodded gently. “Alright. Con, let's get srest,” she said, taking

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his hand and leading him back to their bedroom.

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Ethan followed her silently, grateful for her presence. Though his heart was still heavy, her quiet support gave

him a small measure of peace, if only for the moment.

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Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husband