The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 13

Inside the study, Lawrence walked behind the desk and sat down. He did not turn on the lights; only the moonlight spilling through the window outlined his shadowy silhouette.

Christian stood before the desk in silence.

The heavy quiet dragged on for a long time.

Finally, Lawrence spoke, his voice carrying the crushing weight of a boulder. "Who is the father of that child?"

Christian stayed silent for a few seconds. "He should be mine."

"Should be?" Lawrence's eyes snapped up, his gaze as sharp as a knife. "Christian, you are nearly thirty years old. Can you use your brain before you act?"

"Dad—"

"Let me ask you something." Lawrence cut him off. "Lyra was abroad for three years. How many times did you two communicate during that time? Do you even know when she got pregnant or when she gave birth?"

Christian had no answer.

Because he honestly did not know.

Over the past three years, he and Lyra had virtually zero contact. Two years ago, she sent a single email saying she was doing well abroad and told him not to worry. At the time, he was entirely consumed with taking the company public and only replied with a brief 'take care.' There was nothing else after that.

That was until three months ago, when Lyra suddenly called to say she was moving back.

And then came yesterday's highly publicized airport reunion that shocked the entire city.

"You know absolutely nothing, yet you dared to bring her straight to the house?" Lawrence suppressed his raging fury. "And you said those things in front of the press? Where does that leave Evelyn? Where does that leave the dignity of the Lancaster family?"

Christian pressed his lips into a tight line.

"I told you a long time ago, if you marry Evelyn, you must take responsibility for her." Lawrence stood up and walked to the window, his back facing his son. "She is a good woman. You have seen exactly how she treated you and this family over the last three years. But you? How have you treated her in return?"

"Dad, I—"

"You completely ignored her. You haven't spent a single night in her bed in three years, and now you bring your old flame and a child into the house." Lawrence spun around, his eyes blazing. "Christian, where is your conscience? Did a dog eat it?"

The harsh reprimand instantly drained the color from Christian's face.

"Evelyn takes after her mother," Lawrence continued, his voice lowering with a trace of complex emotion. "She is gentle, resilient, and swallows her grievances without a word. But do you honestly think she is heartless and incapable of feeling pain?"

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