Chapter 16 16

Chapter 16 16


Across the room, Tracey sat quietly while one of the maids wrapped a bandage around her ankle. Her face was calm, but her fingers clenched tightly around the edge of the couch.

Her little performance had failed. Grandmother had not fussed over her. Kyrian had gone to her, yes, but not with the panic she had expected. And now the old woman was holding Lily like a precious jewel, while she  sat there like an unwanted guest.

The bitterness in her chest grew sharp. Still, she kept her mouth shut. For now.

Dinner was served not long after. Grandmother insisted that everyone eat together, and no one dared refuse her.

The dining room was elegant and bright, with polished silverware and carefully arranged dishes spread across the long table. It should have felt warm, almost normal.

But nothing about that dinner was normal.
Grandmother sat at the head of the table. Kyrian sat on one side, with Lily beside him because Grandmother had arranged it that way. Tracey sat on Kyrian’s other side, her bandaged ankle stretched slightly beneath the table.

From the moment the food was served, Tracey began playing her role again.

“Kyrian, you should eat more,” she said softly, picking up the serving spoon and placing a piece of fish onto his plate. 

“You’ve always liked this.”

Her smile was gentle, practiced. Kyrian looked at the food, then at her.
“Thank you,” he said.

The brief smile he gave her made Lily’s chest tighten, even though she immediately looked away.

She had no right to feel jealous. Not anymore. Tracey noticed and relaxed slightly, feeling victorious.

But a moment later, Kyrian reached for the serving plate himself. He placed more meat on Lily’s plate, then added vegetables beside it.

“Eat more,” he said quietly. “You look tired.”

Lily’s hand froze around her spoon. The whole table seemed to pause. Tracey’s smile vanished. Grandmother watched with raised brows, the corner of her lips twitching as though she was fighting a smile.

Lily stared at the food on her plate, then slowly looked at Kyrian. His expression was calm, as though what he had done was perfectly ordinary. As though he still had the right to care whether she ate or not.

“I’m fine,” she said softly.

“You’re not,” he replied.

The simple words struck her harder than they should have. Tracey’s face creased into a frown before she quickly smoothed it out. Why was he being nice to her? Why was he serving that scheming gold digger when she, Tracey, was sitting right beside him? 

For fucks sake, she was the one who belonged here. She was the woman Kyrian had loved first. She was the one he was supposed to return to. Not Lily. Never Lily.

Grandmother picked up her glass of water and took a slow sip, watching the three of them with quiet interest.

Then she placed the glass down and asked casually, “So, when should I be expecting my great-grandchildren?”

Kyrian's hands which were cutting meat went still. Lily coughed. Water went down the wrong way, and she quickly covered her mouth, her face turning red.

Kyrian reached for a napkin at once and handed it to her.

“Careful,” he said.

At the same time, Tracey choked on her food. A maid hurried forward, but Tracey waved her away, coughing lightly as her eyes watered. She was the one Kyrian was supposed to give the napkin, not Lily! 

Grandmother looked between the two young women and frowned.

“What is wrong with both of you? I only asked a simple question.”

Lily wanted the ground to open and swallow her whole. Great-grandchildren? With Kyrian when their marriage was already falling apart?

Her fingers tightened around the napkin, and she avoided looking at him. Tracey, however, was burning inside.

Lily and Kyrian were done. They had to be done. Since she was back, how could this old woman still talk about Lily giving birth to Kyrian’s children as though Tracey were invisible? She was the only one allowed to bear his children! 

She forced a smile, though it trembled at the edges.
“Madam Brandon,” she said carefully. “Perhaps they may not be ready yet. These things take time.”

Grandmother turned to her slowly.
“I was not speaking to you.”

Tracey’s smile froze. Kyrian’s spoon paused halfway to his mouth. Lily lowered her head even further. The air in the dining room became painfully tense.

Grandmother ignored Tracey completely and turned back to Lily.

“My dear, you and Kyrian have been married for three years. I have been patient enough. This house is too quiet. I want children running around before I become too old to carry them.”

Lily’s throat tightened.
“Grandmother…” she whispered.

Grandmother leaned forward. “Or is my grandson not doing his duty as a husband?”

Lily’s face burned instantly. How could grandmother say something like that so casually? 

Kyrian coughed once, looking away. For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely uncomfortable.

Grandmother narrowed her eyes at him.
“Kyrian?”

He set down his spoon slowly. “Grandmother, can we not discuss this at dinner?”

“No,” she said firmly. “We will discuss it now.”

Lily wished she could disappear. Tracy looked like she might break the glass in her hand.

Grandmother’s gaze moved from Kyrian to Lily, then back again. Something in her expression sharpened, as though a new thought had entered her mind.

“The weather is good tonight. You should ensure to give me a grandson tonight.”

Lily's face flushed even more red. Heat rushed to her face so quickly that she had to lower her head, pretending to be more interested in the glass in her hand than the conversation. She drank more water than necessary, hoping it would hide her embarrassment. 

Beside Kyrian, Tracy shifted in her seat. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but one quick glance at Grandmother’s face made her swallow whatever words she had been about to say. She knew the old woman’s temper too well to challenge her in that moment.

Tracey tried her best to hide her anger. She couldn't imagine Kyrian having an intimate moment with Lily. Never. He was hers for goodness sake. 

“Grandmother, please…” Kyrian protested weakly. He had already agreed to divorce Lily. Who knows, she had probably moved on with her lover or even planning to have kids for him. The thought of another man banging the woman that used to be his wife made him want to throw up. 

He cut the meat in his plate with more strength than required, threw it into his mouth and chewed on it heavily. 

“You know what?” Grandmother continued slowly. She seemed to be having a field day pitching the great grand child talk to the uncomfortable couple. 

“Since both of you keep avoiding this topic, I have made a decision.”

Kyrian frowned. “What decision?”

Grandmother smiled. It was not a gentle smile. It was the smile of a woman who had already made up her mind.

“From tonight onward, Lily will no longer sleep in her separate room.”

Lily’s heart stopped. Kyrian went still. Tracy’s eyes widened.

Grandmother continued calmly, as though she had not just dropped a bomb at the dinner table.

“You are husband and wife. You will share one room like husband and wife.”

Lily’s spoon slipped from her hand and clattered against the plate.

And Grandmother, looking directly at Kyrian, added, “Unless, of course, there is something both of you are hiding from me.”