Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 429

Adrian's eyes were red and brimming with tears as he choked out, "Dad, when are you and Mom coming back? I really miss you both."

"Very soon," came the gentle reply.

Lysander smiled softly. "Didn't I tell you? Real men don't cry, remember?"

"I'm not crying!" Adrian quickly wiped his eyes and lifted his small face, trying his best to look brave. "I am a man!"

Lysander's smile deepened, his gaze lingering on the stubborn little face on the screen-those fox-like eyes, so much like his own. His voice was rarely this tender.

"Time for bed now. Mom and Dad will be home before you know it."

***

In the bedroom, Mila stirred on her side, eyes barely open. One hand was hidden beneath her pillow, trembling where it rested on the hilt of a knife. After a few seconds, she clenched it tightly.

***

After soothing Adrian and ending the call, Lysander returned to the bedroom. The warmth was gone from his demeanor. He lay down next to Mila, expression blank, staring at her frail, motionless back. A sigh slipped out.

Time turns in circles.

How did we end up here?

He reached out, placing a hand gently on her thin back, tracing the line of her spine with care. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse and low.

"Mila."

"He's our son-flesh and blood, part of you and me. He's just a child."

At the very least, you can't be so cruel to him.

as if he couldn't bear it any longer. He

he thought, it was like some kind of

***

"Dad, where's Mom?"

Lysander looked up, glaring fiercely at the tall, silent man in front

days! I haven't seen Mom for twenty days! Where

was dark, his patience thin. "She's away on a trip. She'll be

Lysander's voice shook with anger. "No matter where Mom goes, she always answers

He was just about to lash out when

Without another word, he instructed the staff to keep an eye on Lysander and hurried away. That night,

bedroom door. Inside, the sounds of a fierce argument echoed, punctuated

and his father appeared, exhausted

his mother, but was scooped up

***

eleven, his little

the hospital, Lysander peered into the cradle at the crying baby, poking his chubby cheek. The infant's skin was soft and smooth. Suddenly,

This was his brother.

was the closest family he had the brother he would grow up with, just like any other pair of siblings: trusting, inseparable. Lysander liked him instantly. He promised himself he'd be a good big

But then-

are Eugene's eyes different from mine? They're green-so

in his gaze, but when he looked back, his father's eyes were cold and terrifying-not the way a father

moved to shield his

"Dad?"

family estate. His father told him Eugene was sick, and so was their mother-they needed to be

Mom was sick, there was

explanation, but he often visited the house where Eugene stayed, waggling his finger to

little brother. Once you and Mom are better,

***