46

46
Chapter 46 

“You left for another city?” Trisha's voice came, she sounded surprised. 

“Yes, I have my reasons though..” Kathryn replied laying on the bed. 

“Can I hear them?” Trisha asked, her voice echoing through the phone. 

“It was for the safety of my baby and Lyon,” Kathryn said, her voice calm. 

“How? What do you mean?” Trisha asked, a bit skeptical. 

Kathryn sat up, her hands on her waist as she did, “see, I was…” She was cut off short by the sound of the door bell. 

“Trisha, I'll call you later, I need to answer the door.” Kathryn said, hanging up, she motioned towards the door. 

The knock continued. 

She pulled the door open slowly, and her breath caught in her throat. 

“Lyon?” she whispered, stunned, her hand still gripping the door tightly. Martins stood a step behind him. 

Lyon’s gaze locked onto hers, deep and unrelenting. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them heavy with all the unspoken words of the past months. Then he stepped closer, his voice low but firm. 

“I’ve come to take you home, Kathryn.” 

Kathryn blinked, her mind struggling to process his words. She shook her head slightly, her voice barely a whisper. “What are you doing here?” 

Lyon’s jaw tensed, his eyes never leaving hers. “I wasn’t in my right mind when I signed those divorce papers,” he said quietly, each word carrying the weight of his regret. “I made a mistake, Kathryn.” 

Her lips parted, but no words came out. She was frozen in place. 

“No, Lyon,” she managed to say finally, shaking her head. “I can’t come home with you.” 

Lyon’s face fell slightly, but he didn’t back down. He took another step closer, his voice softening. 

“Kathryn… I haven’t been myself since you left. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can’t even breathe properly without you.” He let out a shaky breath, his hands curling into fists by his sides as though trying to steady himself. “I’ve been empty. Just… empty.” 

“How did you find me? Like how?” Kathryn asked, bewildered. 

“Does it matter now? I have found you that's what matters..” Lyon said. 

Kathryn turned her face slightly, staring at the ground as if she could escape his words. She wasn’t prepared for this, Lyon, here, breaking down the walls she’d worked so hard to put up. 

Her mind raced, and like a flash, Wendy’s threat echoed in her ears: “I’ll ruin you both.” 

“No, Lyon,” she said again, firmer this time, trying to sound more resolute than she felt. “It’s better this way.” 

Lyon’s voice broke softly as he said, “What’s better about this, Kathryn? Us being apart? Me not knowing if you’re okay? If the baby’s okay?” 

At that, Kathryn’s eyes darted back up to meet his. Her heartbeat quickened as Lyon continued, his gaze searching hers. 

“The baby,” Lyon repeated, pointing gently, his voice steady but full of emotion. “Kathryn, you know it’s mine. You know it.” 

Kathryn’s breath hitched. Her hand tightened on the edge of the door, her mind spinning. How did he know? Had someone told him? And why, even now, did he still care so deeply? 

“I can’t…” she started, her voice trembling. Her chest felt heavy, like something was pressing down on her heart. 

“Why not?” Lyon’s voice rose slightly, frustration leaking through the cracks of his calm voice. 

“Why are you shutting me out, Kathryn? What happened that you won’t even look at me anymore?” 

Kathryn stared at him, slowly crumbling. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head again, taking a step back into the house as though she could shut him out if she just retreated far enough. 

“I just… I can’t,” she whispered, almost to herself this time. 

Lyon watched her closely, pain filling her eyes. He could feel her slipping away, and it terrified him. “Kathryn, please,” he said softly, his tone pleading now. “Don’t shut me out. Let me fix this. Let me fix us.” 

But Kathryn turned her back to him, her hands shaking as she gripped the edge of the door. 

James was enjoying the bright afternoon reflection. He’d been upstairs when he heard the raised voices outside, Kathryn’s voice, strained and unfamiliar. 

Curious, he made his way to the door, only to freeze on the steps when he saw her standing there, visibly tense, with a man he didn’t know. 

“Kathryn?” James called out, his voice carrying a note of concern. 

Kathryn’s head whipped around at the sound of his voice. Her heart leapt into her throat as panic flickered across her face. This was the last thing she wanted, to drag James into this messy encounter. 

She quickly turned back to Lyon, who looked as though he’d seen a ghost, and reached for James’ arm instinctively. 

Her fingers gripped his wrist tightly, her voice hurried and soft but firm. “This… this is the father of my child,” she said, almost like a confession, her eyes pleading silently for James to just trust her and not make things worse. 

The words hung in the air like a thick fog. 

Lyon’s face shifted in that moment, confusion melting into recognition. His brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he stared at James. Then it hit him. He took a slight step forward, pointing subtly as his mouth opened in disbelief. 

James, the guy he thought he killed years ago was alive? How's that possible? 

He has been doing almost everything Wendy wanted because he didn't know. But how come? 

All these questions ran through Lyon's mind. 

“James?” Lyon said, stunned, his voice louder than he intended. 

James blinked and tilted his head as though trying to place the voice. He glanced back at Lyon more carefully this time. Then, slowly, his expression dropped in shock. “Lyon?” he called back, his tone carrying a mix of surprise. 

As if to make sure he wasn’t seeing things, James reached up and removed his glasses, his eyes squinting a little as he stared at Lyon. 

“James…” Lyon repeated, his tone softer now, like he was still trying to process what he was looking at. 

There was an odd silence, heavy and awkward, like the air had been sucked out of the moment. Kathryn shifted uncomfortably, her hand still clutching James’ wrist, her gaze darting between the two men. She hadn’t expected this. 

“You two… know each other?” Kathryn asked quietly, though she wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer. 

James turned to her, his lips pressing into a thin line before glancing back at Lyon. “You could say that,” James said dryly, still processing. 

Lyon stared at James with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. “You’re the one she’s been staying with?” 

James raised a brow. “And you’re the father of her child?” 

“Of course, I am,” Lyon snapped back, his tone sharp. His gaze swung back to Kathryn, the tension in his jaw visible now. “You didn’t think to tell me this was James?” 

Kathryn swallowed hard, feeling like a child caught in the middle of something much bigger. “It didn’t come up,” she mumbled, her voice unheard. 

James exhaled heavily, slipping his glasses back on as if putting them on would help him make sense of all this. He crossed his arms over his chest, still studying Lyon. “So, you’re the husband she left.” 

“Wait, James! How are you well?” Lyon finally asked. 

James heaved as Martins and Kathryn exchanged glances, they didn't really understand what Lyon was talking about. 

“Kathryn,” Lyon said lowly, his voice carrying just enough bite to make her flinch. “You’ve been here, with him, this whole time?” 

“Yes,” Kathryn said softly, looking from James to Lyon, her face puzzled. “How do you two even know each other?” 

Lyon and James exchanged a long look, like they were silently deciding who would speak first. Finally, James sighed. “Let’s sit down.” He said motioning for them to come to the parlor. 

Kathryn hesitated but followed him into the living room. Lyon trailed behind, quiet, his hands shoved into his pockets. The tension in the room felt thick as James poured them drinks. He handed Lyon a glass and took his own seat, leaving Kathryn to sit on the opposite couch. 

“I know I haven’t been good to you, Kathryn,” Lyon started, his voice low, almost apologetic. He didn’t look at her at first; instead, his eyes were on the floor. “I never wanted any of this to happen. I didn’t plan for things to fall apart like this…” 

Kathryn frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?” 

Lyon finally looked up at her, his face serious. “It was Wendy.” 

The name hit Kathryn like a punch. “Wendy?” she asked sharply. “What does she have to do with this?” 

Lyon nodded, his expression tired. “Everything. Wendy… she’s been after me for a long time, Kathryn.” 

Kathryn stared at him, her heart pounding. “What do you mean after you?” 

Lyon leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “It started before I married you. I thought she was just a friend, someone who showed up at events, business meetings, things like that. But she was dangerous.” 

Kathryn’s stomach tightened. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“Because I didn’t want to drag you into it,” Lyon said, his voice heavy. “She started threatening me, Kathryn. She said she’d ruin my life. I didn’t think she could actually do it, but then…” He paused, shaking his head. “She started messing with everything.” Lyon continued. 

“Why would she do all that?” Kathryn asked, her voice trembling. “What does she even want?” 

Lyon looked straight at her. “She wanted me. She hated that I married you. Wendy doesn’t take no for an answer.” 

Kathryn stared at him, stunned. The room felt smaller, the air harder to breathe. Before she could speak, James cleared his throat. 

“She’s dangerous, Kathryn,” James said, leaning back in his seat. “Wendy’s not just some jealous woman. She’s smart. She plans everything. And she doesn’t stop until she gets what she wants.” 

“What are you saying?” Kathryn asked, looking at James. 

James took a sip of his drink before answering. “She framed Lyon for a murder.” 

Kathryn froze. “What?” 

Lyon dropped his head as if the weight of James’ words hit him again. 

James set his glass down, his voice calm but serious. “She framed Lyon for my murder. She wanted him to think he killed me.” 

Kathryn’s eyes widened. 

“We both did.” James added, looking down at the floor beneath him. 

James nodded slowly. “It was a setup. She staged everything, evidence, witnesses, the whole thing. She wanted Lyon to feel trapped, to think he’d done something unforgivable. I helped her execute it.” 

Kathryn turned to Lyon, who finally looked up. His face was pale. 

“For years, I thought I did something unforgivable…” Lyon said. 

“Lyon…” James started, “I really didn't mean to.” 

“You thought you killed him?” Kathryn asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Lyon nodded. “She had fake evidence. Photos, people swearing they saw me… I didn’t know what to believe.” 

Kathryn stared at him, her chest tight. “And you didn’t tell me? You left me in the darl?” 

Lyon looked pained. “I thought I was protecting you. I didn’t want Wendy anywhere near you.” 

The room went quiet again. Kathryn’s head was spinning, trying to piece everything together. Wendy. The woman who had threatened her, the woman who had caused so much pain… She had done all of this. 

James spoke up again, his voice quieter this time. “She’s not done, Kathryn. If Wendy thinks Lyon’s still hers to take, she’ll keep coming.” 

Lyon looked at Kathryn. “I now have a strong will against her because James is alive…” 

Kathryn’s heart ached at his words, but the storm inside her wouldn’t settle. She didn’t know what to think anymore. 

Now she understood everything Wendy had said. It all came to her now. 

“I'm sorry, Lyon” James spoke up, “she deceived me.” James said, his eyes pleading.