Chapter 14 14
Chapter 14 14
The words were soft, almost pleading. And yet, they struck her like a storm. Her eyes snapped open.
Home?
What did he mean? Was he willing to take her back? Why now? After everything? Her lips parted but no words came out.
“Kyrian…” she finally managed to whisper, her voice trembling. But he didn’t say anything else. The line went dead. Lily stood frozen in the middle of the room, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. Her grip on her phone tightened.
“Come home…” the words echoed in her mind.
Her chest rose and fell unevenly. Her phone was still pressed against her ear, as though she expected his voice to come back if she waited a little longer.
Behind her, Claire’s voice called again.
“Lily? What did he say?”
Lily slowly lowered her phone.
“He.. he asked me to come home.”
There was a pause. Then…
“What?” Claire shot up from the couch, her eyes blazing in anger. “That bastard has some nerve.”
Lily didn’t respond. Her mind was still replaying his voice. The way he said her name, the way his voice sounded…
Claire paced the room, running her hands through her hair in frustration.
“Come home?” she scoffed. “After everything he did to you? After humiliating you like that, dragging you to the hospital and asking you to apologize to his ex?”
Her voice rose with every word.
“He must be out of his mind.”
Lily swallowed; her gaze fixed somewhere far away.
“I don’t think…”
“No!” Claire cut in sharply. “Don’t even start defending him, Lily. Not this time.”
“I’m not defending him.”
“Then what are you doing?” Claire demanded. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re already thinking of going.”
Lily’s silence was enough response to Claire. She let out a frustrated laugh.
“You’re unbelievable. You are actually considering this.”
Lily turned away, hugging her arms around herself.
“I just..” she hesitated, her voice dropping. I just need to hear what he has to say.”
Claire stared at her in disbelief.
“Hear what he has to say? Lily what more is there to hear? He already said everything the day he asked for a divorce!”
The words hit hard but they didn’t stop Lily.
“I know. I know…. But…” she trailed off, unable to explain the storm inside her. No matter how she tried to deny it or act strong, a part of her still wanted him.
She craved his touch, his attention, the nights… What if going to see him was all she needed to fix this? What if he called her because he too missed her and wanted them to sort their issue?
Claire’s expression softened slightly but the frustration remained.
“Lily,” she said more gently this time. “You’re not supposed to keep running back to someone who keeps hurting you.”
“I won’t stay long, I promise. I’ll just hear him out. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Claire scoffed again.
“That’s how it starts.”
But Lily was already moving. She grabbed her bag, her phone and headed straight for the door.
“Lily!” Claire’s voice followed her.
“Don’t go!”
But the door had already opened and just like that, she was gone.
The Brandon family mansion stood tall under the dim evening light. Inside, however, the atmosphere was far from calm. Kyrian was seated very calmly on the couch. Across from him, Grandmother Brandon sat upright, her sharp eyes fixed on him like she could see straight through his soul. The air between them was thick and heavy.
Somewhere beside them, Tracey sat quietly, touching up her makeup with a small compact mirror. She looked composed but every now and then, her eyes flickered towards the older woman.
Grandmother didn’t hide her disdain. Not even a little. Her gaze would occasionally slide towards Tracey, cold and unwelcoming, before returning to Kyrian.
About ten minutes ago, Grandmother had stormed Kyrian’s house to personally demand what happened to Lily’ father’s hospital bills. She had people in that hospital as well as doctors who report directly to her. They had informed her as soon as the payment stopped.
She had been so furious when she heard it that she didn’t bother calling but came herself.
“I think it’s just a mistake. There was an account upgrade a few days ago. The finance team might have made an error,” he replied smoothly. He didn’t want to inform grandmother of their divorce. He knew more than anyone that she wouldn’t support it.
“An error?”
“Yes grandmother.”
“Do you take me for a fool? What upgrade? And why will the finance team miss something as important as health services?”
Kyrian exhaled quietly, maintaining his composure. Before he could respond, Tracey spoke up.
“Grandmother… maybe it really was just a misunderstanding,” she said gently, her voice soft and polite.
Grandmother’s head turned slowly towards her. The look in her eyes was enough to make anyone uncomfortable.
“Don’t call me grandmother,” she said coldly.
Tracey froze. Kyrian’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Tracey’s just here to visit,” he said, stepping in in bid to soften the atmosphere. Tracey nodded quickly.
“Yes, I only came to check on Kyrian,” she added, forcing a smile.
Grandmother didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze lingered on Tracey for a moment longer before she looked away with clear disapproval.
“Where’s Lily?” she asked suddenly.
Kyrian didn’t hesitate.
“She stepped out after work.”
The lie came effortlessly. But grandmother wasn’t convinced.
“She always works in the garden in the evening,” she said slowly. “She had done that everyday for three years.”
Kyrian’s expression remained neutral.
“Maybe she wanted a change.”
Grandmother stood up abruptly.
“I’ll see for myself.”
Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she made her way upstairs. Kyrian stayed seated and calm.
A few minutes later, a loud voice echoed through the house.
“Kyrian!”
Grandmother’s voice rang with anger. Kyrian stood up and walked upstairs without rushing. When he entered Lily’s room, it was empty; completely empty. No clothes, no belongings, nothing.
Grandmother stood in the middle of the room, her face dark with fury.
“Where is she?” she demanded.
Grandmother stood in the middle of the room, her face dark with fury.
“Where is she?” she demanded.
Kyrian slipped his hands into his pocket. He had anticipated this question the moment grandmother made for the stairs. He had an answer prepared beforehand, that way, the lie tumbled out of his mouth like the most natural thing.
“She decided to get new things. She cleared out the old ones.”
Grandmother turned to face him, her eyes blazing. “You expect me to believe that.”
Kyrian didn’t answer immediately.
“She’s upset,” he added after a moment. “We had an argument this morning. She probably decided to handle things on her own. She’s angry, but it’s nothing we can’t sort out.”
“If I find out that you sent her away because of that woman downstairs, you’ll forfeit your position as the head of the Brandon family business.”
Silence fell between them. Kyrian didn’t react, he just stared at the old lady.
“For your sake, I hope you are telling me the truth,” she added before turning away.
Fifteen minutes later, the front door opened and Lily stepped in.
The first thing she noticed was Tracey. She was sitting comfortably on the couch, like she belonged and was back in her rightful place.
Lily’s heart sank.
Then, there was grandmother and Kyrian all in one place. Her chest tightened painfully. So, this was it? Had they finally decided? Was this where she would now officially be replaced? Had grandmother agreed?
A bitter laugh almost escaped her lips. Claire was right. She felt very foolish for coming, believing and hoping. Her fingers tightened around her bag as she stood frozen at the entrance.
Before she could further process anything, Kyrian moved forward. He closed the distance between them in seconds. His hand slid to the small of her back, warm and firm.
“Hey,” he said softly. “I’ve been worried about you, and so has grandmother.”