The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 561

"What is it, Mom?"

"Nothing, just brought you some fresh soup." Clara carried the bowl inside, set it on the vanity, and scanned the room before her eyes locked onto Lyra's face. "Why do you look so awful? Didn't sleep well?"

"...I'm fine."

Clara perched on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress beside her. "Come here. Sit down. Let's chat."

Lyra didn't budge.

"What are you standing there for? Sit," Clara insisted, patting the bed again.

Reluctantly, Lyra walked over and sat down, leaving a rigid foot of space between them.

The pale light from the window spilled across them. Clara's hair had grayed considerably, and the wrinkles around her eyes were etched deep. Looking at her mother, Lyra felt a sudden, sharp twinge of bitterness.

"Lyra," Clara began, dropping her voice to a gentle hush. "You've been back for two days. Why hasn't Christian come to see you?"

Lyra stared straight ahead.

"Did you two get into a fight?" Clara turned to look at her. "Or is his family giving you trouble again?"

"No."

"No? Then where is he?" Clara's pitch spiked, before she hastily lowered it again. "You're pregnant. He's the father, shouldn't he be checking on you? Even if he doesn't want to see you, shouldn't he at least come see Leo?"

"Mom." Lyra cut her off sharply. "Drop it."

Clara recoiled, blinking in surprise, before letting out a heavy sigh.

"I'm not trying to nag, I'm just worried about you." She reached out and patted the back of Lyra's hand. "Look at you. You flew back from France all by yourself, heavily pregnant, with no one to look after you. What is going on with you and Christian? Weren't you supposed to be engaged? Why has the Lancaster family gone dead silent?"

"There isn't going to be an engagement."

Clara's hand froze. "...No engagement? But before—"

"Before was before. Things changed." Lyra's tone was sharp and defensive. "Mom, just stop asking, okay?"

"Why shouldn't I ask? I'm your mother!" Clara's voice rose in genuine panic now. "You are carrying his child! He hasn't come to see you, he hasn't checked on his son—how is this acceptable?"

"Then why don't you go ask him?" Lyra stood up and marched over to the window. "Go to his office. Tell him your daughter is carrying his bastard and beg him to marry her. Let's see if he even gives you the time of day."

Clara choked on her words.

She sat frozen on the bed, her lips trembling, her eyes quickly filling with tears.

"Why would you say something so cruel..."

"I'm just stating facts." Lyra spun around to face her mother. "Mom, the harder you push Christian, the further he pulls away. If he doesn't want to come, what am I supposed to do? Go to his office? Beg on my knees? I'm not humiliating myself like that."

Clara looked down, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her blouse.

"So... so you're just going to wait?"