49

49
Chapter 49 

“It was Wendy..” Kathryn started, “Wendy showed me how you murdered James and asked me to divorce you else, she'd blow it up.” 

Lyon was shocked at this. 

“Why didn't you tell me? You should have at least told me…” Lyon said, his voice a bit cranky. 

Kathryn shook her head, “you never told me about you, nor anything that has ever happened. If you had, all these wouldn't have happened…” 

Lyon stared down, then up to Kathryn, “that's because, I didn't want to lose you, I felt guilty! I thought I killed someone!” Lyon explained, expressing with his hands. 

“I'm sorry for everything my nonchalance has cost you. I promise, I'd be open to you about everything.” 

“I caused this too, if I hadn't helped Wendy, it wouldn't have happened..” James said apologetically, unable to stare at their faces. 

Martins heaved, rubbing his two palms together, unsure of what to say. 

“How did you find out about the baby?” Kathryn asked, her eyes piercing into Lyon's eyes. 

Lyon's gaze softened, his voice low and steady. "I knew, Kathryn. I didn’t need anyone to tell me. I’ve watched you, even when you thought I didn’t. You never left the house. No visitors, no friends. It was... it was clear. I just had to put the pieces together." 

Kathryn swallowed hard. She had always feared this moment, feared the truth would tear them apart. But now, as Lyon spoke to her with such sincerity, it was as if the weight on her chest was lifting, bit by bit. 

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I lied about the baby. I did everything I could to protect you, Lyon. I didn’t want you to be in danger... I was trying to protect us both." 

Lyon took a step closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. He could see the pain in her eyes, the vulnerability she had hidden so well. He understood now. Everything she had done, every choice, it was all for him. 

"Your kind is rare, Kathryn," Lyon said softly, his voice filled with an emotion that made Kathryn's heart skip a beat. "I see now what you were trying to do. You’ve always put me first. You’re the kind of person I should have trusted, even when things were falling apart. I want you to know something, Kathryn..." 

Kathryn looked up at him, her heart in her throat. The air between them felt charged, alive with something they both had denied for so long. 

"I never stopped loving you," Lyon finished, his words wrapping around her like a warm embrace. His hand reached out, gently cupping her cheek, as if he couldn’t bear to be apart from her any longer. 

Kathryn's breath hitched, and for a moment, she couldn’t find the words. All she could do was let the tears fall, as Lyon's touch grounded her, his presence more comforting than anything else in the world. 

"I thought I lost you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I thought you’d never forgive me." 

Lyon’s thumb gently wiped away a tear that had escaped her eye. "You didn’t lose me, Kathryn. I’ve always been here, even when I didn’t know how to handle everything.” 

They stood there for what felt like an eternity. 

Kathryn leaned into his touch, her heart finally finding its place again. "I was so scared, Lyon. But now... now I don’t want to hide from you anymore. I want to face everything with you." 

Lyon’s eyes softened as he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. 

As Kathryn and Lyon were standing close, holding each other, the world outside felt like it didn’t matter anymore. Lyon’s warmth made everything feel like it could finally be okay. Just for a moment, it felt like they could forget everything and start fresh. 

Then her phone buzzed on the coffee table. Kathryn’s eyes went straight to it. The name on the screen made her stomach drop. 

Wendy. 

Lyon didn’t seem to notice. He was too busy looking at her, his arms still wrapped around her. Kathryn felt her heartbeat quicken as her fingers twitched toward the phone. 

Should she pick it up? 

She hesitated. It felt like a bad idea. But at the same time, her gut told her she needed to know. Was Wendy planning something else? Hadn’t she caused enough trouble already? 

Before she could make up her mind, Lyon noticed her eyes on the phone and gently caught her hand. "You don’t have to talk to her, Kathryn," he said softly. "She’s not welcome here anymore." 

Kathryn looked down at their hands, feeling the comfort in his touch, but her mind was still spinning. Wendy had done enough damage to their lives already. But what if this call was the final piece to everything? What if it was the key to finally getting rid of her? 

She bit her lip, glancing at the phone again, her heart pounding. Lyon was right. She didn’t need to deal with Wendy anymore. But part of her just couldn’t shake the feeling that this call could change everything, again. 

Lyon must have sensed the hesitation in her because he squeezed her hand tighter. 

Kathryn closed her eyes for a second, trying to push the thoughts away. She wanted to move on, to forget about Wendy and all the mess she brought. But what if Wendy was still out there, still trying to make them fall apart? 

The phone buzzed again, louder this time. It was like the call was daring her to answer, forcing her to make a choice. Should she just walk away and pretend it wasn’t there? Or should she face whatever Wendy was trying to do next? 

Kathryn’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the phone in her hand. Her fingers were trembling, but she couldn’t ignore it. She took a deep breath and pressed it to her ear. "Wendy?" Her voice barely came out, shaking. 

Wendy’s laugh was cold and cruel, echoing through the phone like a slap. "I knew you’d answer, Kathryn. I just didn’t think you’d be so stupid to think you could hide the truth from Lyon." 

Kathryn’s stomach dropped. Lyon was sitting beside her, looking confused, but she couldn’t focus on anything except the voice on the other end. What was Wendy about to say? 

Wendy’s voice came through, sharper now. "You should tell him, Kathryn. Tell Lyon who the real father of your child is." 

Kathryn’s blood ran cold. She glanced up at Lyon, but couldn’t read his face. His confusion was turning into something darker, something that scared her. He stood up, his posture tense. "What the hell is she talking about?" he asked, his voice low. 

Kathryn could barely speak. Her throat felt tight. She wanted to say something, anything, but all she could manage was, "Lyon... I don’t know what she’s talking about. I swear, it’s yours." 

But Wendy wasn’t done. Her voice came through again, mocking and venomous. "You’ll find out soon enough. I know what you did, Kathryn. And I’ll make sure he knows too." 

Kathryn’s chest felt like it was caving in. Her mind was a whirlwind, but Lyon... he didn’t wait. He grabbed the phone from her, his eyes hard and intense. He was angry. No, furious. He pressed the phone to his ear with such force Kathryn flinched. 

"Wendy," Lyon’s voice was low, but it carried weight. "I’m here with Kathryn. Listen and listen good. There’s no truth to this. I know her. And I know that baby is mine. So back off." 

The phone clicked, the call ended with a finality that hung in the air. Lyon threw the phone down on the coffee table, his breath coming out in a sharp exhale. He turned to face Kathryn, his eyes filled with both anger and concern. 

He stepped closer, pulling her into his arms, his hands gently cupping her face. "We’ll get through this," he said quietly. "I’m not going to let her destroy us. I’ll fix this, Kathryn. We’ll get through this together. You hear me?" 

Kathryn closed her eyes, leaning into him. She could feel the tension in his body, the weight of the moment settling between them. But there was something in his voice that made her believe him. Despite everything, despite Wendy’s threats, Lyon was still there. He was still fighting for them. 

"Thank you," Kathryn whispered, her voice barely audible. 

Lyon pressed a kiss to her forehead, his grip tightening around her. "You don’t have to thank me. I love you. And nothing, not Wendy or anyone else, is going to change that." 

But even as he held her, Kathryn couldn’t shake the feeling that Wendy was only getting started. 

This wasn’t over. 

——— 

The evening sir was chilly as Lyon, Martins, and Kathryn stepped out from the quiet house, the driveway stretching ahead of them. 

Martins had a couple of Kathryn’s bags in his hands, and Lyon’s arm was lightly draped over her shoulders. The driveway stretched out in front of them, and the sound of their footsteps echoed as they made their way toward the car. 

“Thank you, James, for letting my wife stay here,” Lyon said, glancing over at James who was standing by the front door, watching them. His voice was steady. 

Kathryn smiled and turned to James, the softest expression crossing her face. “Thanks, James. I won’t forget this,” she said, her voice sincere, though there was a bit of distance there. 

James nodded, a bit awkwardly, and started to move toward Kathryn as if to hug her, but Lyon immediately stepped in front of her, a slight but clear barrier. Lyon gave him a tight smile. “Just a handshake, James,” he said, his voice casual. 

James paused for a second, and then, a faint chuckle escaped him. “Just a handshake…” he said, almost as if he were testing the waters. But then, with a smile, he extended his hand to Kathryn. “Alright then.” 

The handshake was brief. “Goodbye, Kathryn,” he said softly, the words a bit too heavy. 

Kathryn’s smile was small, but she nodded. “Goodbye, James,” she said, her voice steady. She stepped back slightly, her heart a little heavier than she had expected. She wasn’t sure if it was the goodbye itself, or the quiet weight of everything they had been through that made this feel like more than just a parting. 

Lyon stood beside her. “We should go,” he said, his voice low. 

As they got in the car, Kathryn glanced back at the house one last time. It was strange, how things could shift in the blink of an eye. 

Just yesterday, she had been uncertain, unsure of where her future lay. But now, with Lyon beside her, she felt... something. Maybe peace. Maybe hope. Or maybe, just the beginning of another era. 

Martins started the car, and the engine hummed softly as they pulled away from the house. Kathryn could feel Lyon’s eyes on her for a moment, and she turned to meet his gaze. He was watching her closely, like he was trying to read her, figure out what was going on inside her head. 

But she didn’t know how to explain the emotions in her chest. 

“You good?” Lyon asked quietly, his voice gentle but with that ever-present concern that always seemed to be there for her, no matter what. 

Kathryn took a deep breath and nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, I’m good,” she said, though she wasn’t entirely sure if it was the truth. 

Lyon didn’t say anything, but he squeezed her hand, his touch warm and comforting. He didn’t press her, knowing that sometimes, there were no words to say. And for now, that was enough. 

Eventually, Lyon broke the silence. “I’ve missed you, and Fiona would be so happy to see you..” 

“Fiona!” Kathryn almost shouted, she couldn't forget her. 

Lyon drew her closer, her hands in his, he bent and kissed her knuckles.