The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 7

Evelyn's phone vibrated twice in her pocket.

She casually pulled it out, casting her eyes downward to glance at the screen. It was a message from Madeline Thorne, complete with a file transfer loading bar. The divorce papers were ready and on their way.

Her fingers flew across the keyboard. "Received. Thank you."

Sent.

She slipped the phone back into her pocket, and when she looked up, she met Christian's probing gaze. He had clearly noticed her texting; his brows were knit together, waiting for an explanation.

Evelyn offered none.

She turned to Mrs. Higgins, who was standing by the kitchen entrance, and said, "Mrs. Higgins, please have a breakfast tray sent to my room. Toast, fried eggs, and milk. Thank you."

Her tone was composed, entirely strictly business.

Mrs. Higgins stood stunned for a moment, instinctively looking toward Christian. In this house, the young madam had never dared to make a request without waiting for the master to speak first.

Christian's expression darkened. "Eat your breakfast in the dining room."

"I'm tired and want to rest in my room," Evelyn replied blandly, not even bothering to look at him. "Take your time eating."

With that, she took her cold cup of coffee and turned toward the staircase.

"Evelyn." Christian's voice snapped behind her, dripping with obvious displeasure. "This house still has rules."

Evelyn stopped in her tracks.

She turned around slowly, looking at the three people gathered at the dining table. Christian sat at the head, scowling heavily; Lyra sat to his right, her head lowered as her fingers absentmindedly twisted a napkin; the three-year-old boy sat in his high chair, clutching a spoon and looking at the adults with wide-eyed curiosity.

What a picture-perfect family.

And she was the redundant, unruly intruder.

"Rules?" Evelyn softly repeated the word, a faint, almost invisible curve appearing on her lips. "I've spent three years learning the Lancaster family rules. You were an excellent teacher, Mr. Lancaster. I remember every single one."

She paused, her gaze settling on Christian's face, her bloodshot eyes terrifyingly lucid.

"For instance, no talking during meals, and silence before sleep."

"For instance, juniors cannot start eating until the elders have touched their silverware."

"And, for instance..." Her voice dropped, laced with a phantom trace of mockery. "When a husband refuses to come home, the wife must endure the empty bed in silence."

That last sentence cracked like a whip, slashing viciously across Christian's pride.

A dead silence engulfed the dining room.

Even the three-year-old sensed the suffocating tension and timidly lowered his spoon.

Lyra looked up, her eyes immediately red and glistening, her voice trembling with a sob. "Ms. Sullivan, please don't blame Christian. It's all my fault... I'll find an apartment and move out as quickly as I can, I swear..."

"Lyra." Christian cut her off, his tone laced with heavy frustration. "You are not moving."

He glared back at Evelyn, his eyes pure ice. "You will eat breakfast in the dining room. Those are the Lancaster rules. Since you are Mrs. Lancaster, you will abide by them."

"Mrs. Lancaster?" Evelyn laughed, a laugh filled with an indescribable, haunting sorrow. "Christian, when have you ever treated me like Mrs. Lancaster?"

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