Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 416

After hearing Donovan's question, Ethan let out a deep sigh. He struggled in silence for some time before finally nodding and answering hoarsely, "Yes. When did you figure it out?"

Hearing that, Donovan closed his eyes, exasperated. "How much effort do you think it takes to guess something like that?"

As brothers and as the closest partners in the family business, Donovan had never been blind to Ethan's private life.

From his very first meeting with Gideon, he noticed the striking resemblance between him and Ethan. Given that Ethan gave him special treatment, it was clear to anyone that they were related.

But Donovan had always chosen to stay silent. He watched but never pried and was unwilling to stir up trouble that would fracture the family.

Just then, Ethan lit a cigarette. His figure was hazy in the smoke as he began to reveal Gideon's past.

Thirty years ago, in the 1990s, a married Ethan had met a young woman in Usna. Her name was Helena Fairchild.

She was a little-known actress from Orfland. Breathtakingly beautiful, Ethan fell for her at first sight.

He pursued her obsessively, lavished money on her, and soon they were living together. He even bought her two luxury houses in Usna.

And so, Ethan hid his affair from Grace. On the pretext of expanding into new markets in Usna, he shared a cozy life with Helena.

But everything changed when she became pregnant.

Hoping to reconcile, Ethan brought Marlon to her. He implored her to return for the child's sake, so they could start over and build a stable home together in Usna.

Instead, Helena had none of it and spiraled further down the rabbit hole. She went on to star in several soft-core films and entangled herself with wealthy businessmen.

Then, she lived a life of indulgence and scandal.

Disillusioned, Ethan severed ties with her and took his infant son back to Valanthea. He made the painful decision to give him up to protect his family.

After long consideration, he arranged an adoption through friends and placed Marlon with a well-educated couple. They were unable to have a child of their own and were desperate to adopt one.