Chapter 15: 15

Lily froze.

For a moment, she could not move, breathe, or even decide where to place her eyes. Kyrian’s hand was still resting at the small of her back, warm and steady, as though he had every right to touch her that way. As though he had not been the same man who had asked her for a divorce with the same calmness one would use to discuss the weather.

He leaned closer and whispered in a voice only she could hear.

“Don’t say anything about the divorce.”

Her heart twisted painfully.

So that was why he had called her.

Not because he missed her or regretted hurting her. Not even because he wanted to explain himself.

He had called her because he needed her to protect his secret.

Lily swallowed hard, trying to steady the trembling in her chest. She was about to pull away from him when a sharp cry rang through the sitting room.

“Ah!”

Everyone turned at once. Tracey, who had been sitting comfortably in the corner a moment ago, suddenly stumbled. Her hand flew to the arm of the couch as her ankle twisted beneath her. She let out a louder cry, her body sinking dramatically toward the floor.

“Kyrian!” she screamed, her voice shaking. “My ankle!”

Kyrian’s hand slipped away from Lily’s waist. Lily felt the absence of his touch immediately, and she hated herself for noticing.

For a brief second, Kyrian did not move. His eyes darted from Tracey to Lily, and something passed through them. Conflict. Hesitation. Confusion.

It was so quick that anyone else might have missed it. But Lily saw it. She saw the moment he looked like he did not want to leave her side.

Then his expression tightened, and he leaned close to her.

“She’s injured. Let me check on her,” he whispered.

Before Lily could respond, he hurried toward Tracey.

Tracey  was sitting on the floor now, one hand wrapped around her ankle, her face twisted in pain. But even through her act of distress, Lily caught the quick glance she threw in her direction.

It was not pain in Tracey ’s eyes. It was satisfaction.

Lily’s fingers curled slightly at her side.

Of course.

Of course Tracey had chosen that exact moment to fall. She couldn't bear Kyrian touching his supposed ex and acting all loving right under her nose.

Kyrian crouched beside her. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Tracey whimpered, clutching his arm. “I just stood up and my ankle twisted. It hurts so much.”

Grandmother Brandon’s expression hardened.

“Kyrian, have the maids call an ambulance and come right here,” she snapped.

Tracey ’s face stiffened slightly.

“An ambulance?” she asked quickly, then forced her voice to sound weak again. “No, Grandmother, that isn’t necessary. It’s probably just a small sprain.”

Grandmother’s eyes moved to her like a blade. “I told you not to call me Grandmother.”

The room fell silent. Tracey  lowered her eyes immediately, her fingers tightening around Kyrian’s sleeve.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Grandmother did not look moved. Lily stood awkwardly near the entrance, still trying to understand why she had allowed herself to come here. The house that used to feel like a place of peace now felt like a battlefield. Every look carried meaning. Every word hid a knife.

“Lily, dear.” Grandmother’s voice softened at once.

Lily turned toward her. The old woman’s expression changed completely when her eyes rested on Lily. The sharp anger in them eased into concern, and she stretched out her hand.

“Come here.”

Lily obeyed quietly, walking toward her. Grandmother took both of her hands, studying her face with a frown.

“What happened?” she asked. “Pretty child, why do you look so scared? Why weren’t you home? And your dad; what happened?”

Lily’s throat closed. Her eyes moved toward Kyrian before she could stop herself.

He was still beside Tracey, but his gaze was fixed on her. Grandmother noticed the glance. Her face darkened.

“Did that brat have something to do with it?” she demanded. “Did he ask them to stop paying your father’s hospital bills?”

Kyrian’s jaw tightened. Tracey’s head lifted slightly, interest flashing across her face.

Lily stood there, caught between the truth and the lie.

She wanted to say yes. She wanted to tell Grandmother everything. She wanted to say that Kyrian had asked her for a divorce after making her believe for one beautiful, foolish moment, that he had finally chosen her.

She wanted to say that he had broken her heart in the cruelest way possible. She wanted to say that all this was because Tracey had returned and Kyrian had thrown her away like something no longer useful.

The words burned on her tongue. But then she looked at him. Kyrian’s face was calm, but his eyes were not. There was tension there, something hidden behind the coldness. He looked like a man waiting for judgment.

And Lily hated that a foolish part of her still wanted to protect him. Even now. Even after everything.

She looked down, her fingers trembling in Grandmother’s hands.

“No,” she said quietly.

Kyrian released a breath. He did not even realize he had been holding it.

Lily continued, forcing the words out. “He didn’t.”

Grandmother searched her face.

“Are you telling me the truth?”

Lily nodded slowly. “Yes, Grandmother.”

Kyrian stood then, leaving Tracey’s side after signaling to one of the maids. He came closer, his expression composed again.

“You see,” he said smoothly. “That’s what I told you earlier.  It's probably an oversight following the account upgrade. Her father’s name must have been removed by mistake. Lily, I'm so sorry I didn't find out earlier. I’ll fix it now.”

Grandmother turned her sharp gaze on him.

“You had better.”

“I will,” Kyrian said.

His eyes moved briefly to Lily, and for a second, gratitude softened his face.

Grandmother sighed, her anger finally easing a little. She squeezed Lily’s hands gently.

“My dear, why didn’t you come to me immediately?”

Lily lowered her head. “I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Bother me?” Grandmother frowned. “Your father’s health is not a bother. You are family. Do you hear me?”

Tears gathered in Lily’s eyes before she could stop them.

Family.

The word struck somewhere deep inside her. She had spent the past few days feeling like she had been pushed out of the Brandon family, out of Kyrian’s life, out of the home she had poured three years of herself into.

But Grandmother’s hands were warm around hers. Her voice was firm. Her concern was real.

“I’m sorry,” Lily whispered.

“No, child.” Grandmother patted her hand. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

Then she turned to Kyrian again.

“Double her allowance.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “Grandmother, no.  ”

Grandmother lifted one hand, silencing her immediately.

“I am not asking for permission.”

Kyrian nodded. “I’ll do it.”

“And make sure this never happens again,” Grandmother added. “If I hear one more complaint from that hospital, I will personally come to your office and sit on your chair until the entire company knows who truly runs it.”

For the first time that evening, Kyrian nearly smiled.

“Yes, Grandma.”

Lily blinked rapidly, trying to stop the tears.

Relief spread through her slowly, almost painfully. Her father’s bills would be taken care of. For now, at least, that terrifying burden had lifted.

Grandmother pulled her closer and rubbed her back gently.

“Don’t cry, dear. Such a thing will never happen again.”

Lily nodded, unable to trust her voice.

“And you, Kyrian, you better treat her well. I don't want to ever hear you for her upset enough for her to leave the house in the evening, is that clear?”

Lily almost let out a bitter laugh. Was that what he told grandmother? That he had upset her so she stepped out?