The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 302

Shangri-La Hotel, 17th Floor.

The elevator doors slid open, and the group stepped out.

Christian Lancaster walked Lyra Langford to the door of Suite 1705. Lyra clung to his arm, her eyes rimmed with red. "Christian, will you stay with me for a little while?"

Christian looked at her, pausing for a second.

"Get some rest first," he said softly. "You have rehearsals tomorrow."

Lyra bit her lip, eventually nodding. "Okay. Then you'll come with me to the theater tomorrow?"

Christian gave a low "Hmm."

Only then did Lyra let go of his arm and push the door open to step inside.

The door clicked shut.

Christian turned around and looked at Piper Brooks.

"You should go rest, too," he told his cousin. "Food will be sent up shortly."

Piper nodded, looking up at him. "What about you, Christian?"

"I have some business to attend to," Christian replied, walking toward the floor-to-ceiling windows at the end of the hallway.

Piper watched his retreating back, rolled her eyes, and turned into her own room.

—

At the end of the hallway, by the window.

Christian stood there, taking in the Parisian nightscape. The Eiffel Tower was still sparkling, and tour boats glided lazily down the River Seine, leaving ripples in their wake.

He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

Taking a deep drag, he slowly exhaled.

The smoke bloomed into a hazy white cloud against the glass.

Miles approached, stopping half a step behind him.

"Mr. Lancaster," he reported quietly. "I found out. Evelyn is staying in this hotel too. Suite 1806. Sebastian Thorne is right next door in 1808."

Christian's fingers paused.

Ash tumbled to the floor.

"Did Sebastian do that on purpose?" he asked.

Miles nodded. "It appears so. He booked the rooms a week in advance and specifically requested the suite next to hers."

Christian didn't say a word.

He took another drag of his cigarette, staring out the window.

Paris was beautiful at night. The lights were dazzling, the luxury like a dream.

But in his eyes, there was absolutely nothing.

"That's enough," he finally rasped, his voice rough. "Go get some rest."

Miles nodded and turned to leave.

After a few steps, he glanced back.

Christian was still standing there, unmoving.

The smoke swirled around him, blurring his sharp silhouette.

—

Suite 1808.

Sebastian lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

He had been lying there for nearly two hours.

He couldn't sleep.

He just couldn't sleep.

His mind was echoing with Alistair's words—

'She's pregnant.'

'In early pregnancy, many expectant mothers experience morning sickness.'

'My coworker's daughter ran off with a guy on a motorcycle last year, and their house has been a warzone ever since...'

Sebastian stared at those comments, his scowl deepening.

A guy on a motorcycle?

A tattooed deadbeat?

How could his daughter ever be stolen away by someone like that?

Wait—

He sat up abruptly.

What was he thinking?

What daughter?

He didn't even know if the baby was real yet!

He flopped back down, staring at the ceiling.

But once the thought took root, he couldn't push it away.

If it was a daughter...

The corners of Sebastian's mouth slowly curled up.

A daughter would look like her mother, right? Big bright eyes, luminous skin, a sweet smile. She'd wear little pink dresses, have her hair in pigtails, and run over to hug his legs, looking up at him to softly call—

"Daddy."

Sebastian's heart melted completely.

He let out a low, breathless laugh.

It was such a goofy smile that if Lance had been in the room, he would have suspected his boss had been replaced by an alien.

If he had a daughter, he would buy her the most beautiful dresses, shower her with toys, and take her to the best amusement parks in the world. If anyone dared to bully her, they'd have to deal with him first.

When she grew up, he'd send her to the most elite schools and hire the absolute best tutors. If any boy dared to pursue her, they'd have to get past him—

No, wait, wait.