The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 15

The night deepened as the car headed toward The Lancaster Manor.

Lyra sat in the passenger seat cradling a fast-asleep Leo, the boy's small face resting against her shoulder. She gazed out the window at the blurred city streets, the passing neon lights flickering across her profile.

"Christian," she started softly, a probing edge to her voice. "Is Lawrence upset?"

Christian's grip on the steering wheel tightened just a fraction. "No, do not overthink it."

"Then why..." Lyra paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Why are you suddenly sending us to the manor? Did we not agree before..."

She left the sentence unfinished, but her meaning was perfectly clear.

Christian kept his eyes locked on the road ahead, his tone perfectly even. "Lyra, I am a married man now. If you and Leo stay at my place long-term, it will ruin your reputation."

Lyra lowered her eyelashes, masking the dark emotions swimming in her eyes. When she looked up again, her face was the picture of gentle understanding. "You are right. I did not think it through."

She pulled the boy closer to her chest, a faint, almost imperceptible tremor in her voice. "It is just... I am a little worried. The way Lawrence looked at Leo today..."

She let the words trail off, leaving Christian to fill in the blanks.

Christian remained silent for a moment before replying, "Dad is just being cautious. It happened so suddenly, he needs time to process everything."

Needs time to process everything.

Lyra's heart sank heavily in her chest.

She did not say another word, merely pressing her cheek against the boy's soft hair as she turned her attention back to the window.

The cabin fell into total silence, leaving only the low hum of the engine.

---

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify