Chapter 26His laughter wasn't one of joy, but of triumph, like he had orchestrated the whole thing for his own amusement. Lyon’s heart skipped a beat as the words echoed in the air, and everything seemed to stop for a moment. "Du…what?" Martins muttered under his breath, his eyes darting to Lyon. They both watched in disbelief as the man continued to laugh, his body shaking with the force of it. It was as if the entire world had been fooled, like they had walked right into a trap that they couldn’t even see. The blood-stained man raised a hand, still laughing as if the joke was the punchline of some twisted comedy show. “You thought you could save the day, huh?” he jeered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, guess what? You’ve just been played.”Lyon’s breath hitched. He felt the weight of the man’s words like a punch to the gut. It was as if the whole scene, the angry crowd, the stolen goods, the chaos, had been a set-up, an act to manipulate him into making the wrong decision
Chapter 27Kathryn laid quietly on the bed, staring at her phone that had been ringing. “Lyon…” she muttered and sighs deeply.“There's no way I'm answering this call,” Kathryn said, pushing the phone away.Trisha pushed open the door to Kathryn's room slowly, peeking inside before stepping fully in. The sight in front of her made her sigh heavily. Kathryn was curled up on the edge of the bed, her face turned toward the wall. Her phone lay on the floor, a few feet away, as though it had been tossed aside in frustration.“Lyon, right?” Trisha’s voice broke the silence, soft but with an edge of irritation. Kathryn turned her face slightly and gave a faint nod. Trisha walked over, picked up the phone, and placed it on the nightstand. Then she crossed her arms and leaned against the dresser, shaking her head. “I never liked that Lyon of a guy for one day,” she said bluntly. “If not for Dad, I swear, I would have told you not to go back to him.”Kathryn didn’t say anything. Her hands res
Chapter 28Lyon stepped out of the house, his movements sharp, but there was a tension in the way his shoulders held. His suit was crisp, his tie slightly undone, but he didn’t care. He adjusted his cufflinks once, twice, as though trying to focus his restless energy. Martins was already outside, leaning casually against the car door, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as Lyon approached, immediately straightening and slipping the phone into his pocket. "Sir," Martins greeted, opening the car door for him. Lyon didn’t waste time. “We’re going to Kathryn’s house,” he said, his voice calm but with an edge that left no room for discussion. Martins paused for a split second, his brows pulling together slightly in silent question, but he quickly nodded. He walked around to the driver’s side, pulling open the door. Just as Lyon was about to step into the car, Fiona came hurrying out from the kitchen door, wiping her hands on her apron.Lyon's suit was sharp, perfectly tailo
Chapter 29Lyon stepped forward hesitantly, his hands hovering in the air as though unsure if he was allowed to touch her. But seeing her like that, so broken and vulnerable, pushed him past his hesitation. Gently, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, wrapping them around her trembling frame. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, his voice muffled as he buried his face in her hair. “I’m so sorry, Kathryn. I was wrong. I was so wrong.”Kathryn didn’t resist. Instead, she melted into him, her hands gripping his jacket tightly as though it was the only thing keeping her upright. The warmth of his embrace, the steadiness of his voice, broke down the last of her defenses. Her tears soaked through his shirt, but Lyon didn’t care. He held her as though letting go was no longer an option, his arms tightening around her with each passing second. From a few feet away, Martins stood watching the scene unfold. He leaned against the car, his arms crossed, his face a mask of quiet contemplation. He h
Chapter 30Kathryn’s father took Lyon's hand,, shaking firmly, his grip lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “I see you’ve made yourself comfortable,” he remarked, glancing at the spread on the table before returning his attention to Lyon. “I guess you’re here for your wife?” he continued, his tone light but laced with something that wasn’t entirely welcoming. Kathryn's mom stared angrily at him for welcoming Lyon so well, knowing fully well, what he had done.The dining table was finally clear, and the clatter of plates being stacked and taken to the kitchen echoed faintly through the room. Lyon sat upright in his chair, his gaze shifting from the cleared table to Kathryn’s mother, who was meticulously wiping her hands with a towel. He hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then spoke. “Thank you for the meal, ma’am,” he said, his tone respectful but slightly uneasy. “It was delicious.” Kathryn’s mother didn’t respond. She didn’t even look at him. Instead,
Chapter 31Lyon's voice echoed behind Kathryn, who was standing still.“I wish I could turn time around,” Lyon continued, his eyes a little dim and alluring. Kathryn stood, her back to him, not uttering a word, she didn't want to.Lyon stepped quietly toward her, his footsteps almost inaudible on the soft carpet. Kathryn stood by the window, her arms crossed over her chest, staring out into the dark night as if searching for answers in the void. His hands gently circled her waist, pulling her out of her thoughts. The warmth of his touch startled her. She gasped softly, her breath catching in her throat as his hands moved lightly, tracing the line down her back. The unexpected intimacy sent a shiver through her, but she didn’t pull away. “Please…” she murmured, her voice unsteady. It wasn’t a plea for him to stop, it was a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite articulate. She turned to face him, her eyes wide and filled with questions, her heart racing. Lyon met her gaze with an exp
Chapter 32Two months passed, and the house that once felt like a cold battleground now echoed with laughter and quiet moments of tenderness. Lyon and Kathryn’s love, began to blossom like a garden finally given the care it needed. Kathryn had noticed the little things first, the way Lyon waited for her before meals, the way he held her hand longer than necessary when they were out, and how his eyes softened every time he looked at her. She started to see sides of him she didn’t know existed: the man who stayed up with her when she couldn’t sleep, who listened to her stories about childhood, and who teased her just enough to make her laugh without crossing the line. For Lyon, the change was undeniable. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment he fell for Kathryn all over again, or perhaps for the first time, but every day, he felt his walls crumble a little more. Her smile became the highlight of his mornings; her voice, the melody that soothed his evenings. She wasn’t just his wif
Chapter 33“Congratulations, Mrs Alberto, you're two weeks pregnant!” Their family doctor, Dr Leo announced to Kathryn, who laid on the bed, smiling boldly.“Thank you, doctor!” Kathryn gestured as the doctor packed his kits up, nodding slightly.“And…. doctor,” she called, when he was almost leaving, “I want to be the first person to announce it to my husband.”Dr Leo nodded, “off course Mrs Alberto,” he said and left.Kathryn laid back in the bed, smiling and chuckling, she rubbed her tummy slightly, “I will be the best mum ever, okay?” She muttered, her hands on her tummy.Fiona barged into the room, her face lighting up with joy as she caught sight of Kathryn lying on the bed, her hand absentmindedly rubbing her tummy. Fiona gasped dramatically, clasping her hands together as if she’d just uncovered the best secret in the world. "Congratulations!" she screamed, running across the room like a child who’d just been handed candy. She threw her arms around Kathryn, pulling her into
Chapter 60A month passed in a jiffy. Finally, Lyon and Kathryn could have their baby.Lyon and Kathryn arrived at the hospital with quiet excitement, the kind that comes when you know life is about to change forever. The ride there had been mostly silent, Kathryn holding Lyon’s hand the entire way, her mind racing as Martins drove. For weeks, they had dreamed of this moment, and now it was finally here.When they stepped into the hospital, the halls were familiar, but everything felt different this time. There was no rush, no panic. Lyon held onto Kathryn gently as they made their way to the nursery.A nurse met them with a kind smile, “Mr. and Mrs. Alberto, I’ll get your son for you.”Kathryn’s breath caught as the nurse disappeared behind a door. Her fingers gripped Lyon’s arm. “I can’t believe we’re finally bringing him home,” she whispered.Lyon looked at her, his voice low and calm. “We’ve waited long enough.”The nurse returned, pushing a small bassinet with their baby in it, w
Chapter 59“It's a boy!” The doctor said, turning back, grabbing Lyon's hand, who was on his knees, for a handshake, “congratulations once again, Mr Lyon.”They weren't allowed in for some hours, though they stood at a distance.“You can see her now.” One of the nurses said as Lyon nodded.Lyon walked into the room quietly, the soft beeping of the machines filling the silence. He stood there for a moment, just watching Kathryn, her face peaceful as she slept. It felt unreal, how close he had come to losing her. But now she was here, still breathing, still alive. He could hardly believe it.Turning to Martins and James, Lyon spoke softly. “I need a minute with her,” he said, voice rough. “I’ll be out in a bit.”The two men nodded, understanding without needing to say much. They stepped out, leaving Lyon and Kathryn alone in the room.Lyon moved to her bedside, the sound of his footsteps too loud in the stillness. He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand gently in his, feeli
Chapter 58“Kathryn…!!!” Lyon shouted, his mouth opened wide.Kathryn’s scream echoed in the room, the sound of pain slicing through Lyon like a knife. He watched helplessly as she jerked in the chair, her leg buckling under the force of the shot. Blood began to pool around her, spreading across the floor, and Lyon’s mind went blank. He couldn’t breathe.Kathryn!” He shouted, struggling against the men holding him, his body trembling. She was everything to him. His life. His future. And now, this monster, Wendy, was trying to take her away from him.Kathryn’s breath was shallow, her face a mask of pain. Her body was shaking, but she still managed to look at Lyon, her eyes filled with tears.“Lyon... I... I’m sorry,” she whispered, but it barely registered through the haze of panic in his mind. He didn’t know if she was apologizing for what had happened, for what Wendy was doing to her... or maybe it was for something else.But he couldn’t think about that right now. He had to save he
Chapter 57Lyon had barely loosened the last knot on Kathryn’s restraints when a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the room. The sound was smug, sharp, like a knife slicing through the air.“Well, well, well…” Wendy’s voice came from the doorway, sickly sweet and dripping with malice. Lyon’s head snapped up, and there she stood, leaning against the frame with a cruel smirk plastered across her face. Two enormous men flanked her, their broad shoulders filling the entryway like silent, unmovable walls.“I’ve been expecting you, Lyon,” Wendy purred, taking a slow step into the room, her heels clicking against the floor. Her confidence oozed from every step, every calculated motion.Lyon’s entire body stiffened. He rose to his feet, shielding Kathryn instinctively as if his presence alone could protect her. “Wendy…” His voice was low, strained, fighting the rage building in his chest. “Why are you doing this? What do you want?”Wendy’s smirk deepened as her eyes locked with his. “You t
Chapter 56Lyon stepped off the plane, barely feeling the ground beneath his feet. The cool breeze brushed his face, but it didn't calm anything he was feeling.He pulled his phone out from his pocket, he dialed Martins’ number, his hand trembling slightly.“Where are you?” Lyon’s voice was tight, sharp, cutting through the noise of the bustling airport. His eyes darted around, scanning the crowd.“Right outside. I’m here.” Martins’ voice was steady but had that edge of urgency.Lyon pushed through the throngs of people.The noise, the movement, all of it was a blur. He didn’t stop until he spotted Martins near the car, waving with a slight tilt of his head. Without a word, Lyon slid into the passenger seat, the door slamming shut behind him. Martins pulled away from the curb, the tires rolling like they, too, knew there wasn’t time to waste.Inside the car, silence hung heavy. Lyon’s mind was racing, the weight of every possible outcome pressing down on him like bricks. His phone buz
Chapter 55Lyon gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white as the voice on the other end came through."We've found where Kathryn is," the voice said.Lyon stopped dead in his tracks. His heartbeat felt like it had jumped to his throat. "Where?" he said sharply, his voice low but steady."An old warehouse just outside the city," the voice continued, pausing for a second. "But Lyon… it's Wendy. She's not working alone. There's something off about everything.”Lyon’s mind raced, staring straight at the empty space ahead of him. Wendy. Of course. “Wendy’s cunning. This isn’t going to be simple, but, it will.” Lyon muttered to himself. He exhaled sharply through his nose, trying to keep his rage in check. “Listen, make more investigation. Keep a close eye on Wendy. I’ll be there in two hours.”“Understood.” The line went dead.Lyon lowered the phone and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady the storm coming up inside him. When he opened them again, they were cold and
Chapter 54MR LYON ALBERTO–ALLEGED MULDER DISMISSED FROM HIS CHAIRMANSHIP POSITION AT OIL GAS WORLD WIDE.Trisha read from the headies, everything happened so fast and Trisha imagined the string this Wendy lady pulled, because it seemed like she connected everything waiting to pull and she did.“Where are we headed right now?” Inquisitive, Trisha inquired.“The station,” Martins replied. “We have to get our next line of action from Lyon.”———Kathryn gasped awake, the shock of ice-cold water jolting her back to life. Her chest heaved, her hair soaked and sticking to her face. She blinked, trying to clear her vision, and that’s when she saw her.Wendy. She stood there smirking, arms crossed like she’d been waiting for this moment all her life.Wendy let out a slow, cruel laugh. “Oh, look who’s awake. Did you enjoy your little nap, Kathryn?”Kathryn didn’t answer, her heart pounding in her chest. Her wrists ached where the ropes dug into her skin, her ankles just as trapped. “Wendy… wh
Chapter 53Lyon's mind was racing, trying to piece together the situation. His gut told him something wasn’t right. “I have this feeling... It is Wendy. I just know it.”Martins stood quietly beside him, his arms crossed as he observed the scene. He didn’t speak at first, just watching Lyon carefully. “The police should be reporting back soon,” Martins said, his voice calm despite the tension. “But we can’t just wait for them. This is moving too fast.”Lyon paused in his pacing and turned to look at Martins. There was a silent understanding between them, and Lyon’s gaze hardened. He didn’t need anyone to tell him what to do. He had to act now.He turned back to Trisha, crouching down in front of her. His eyes softened for a moment, though his voice was still firm. “Trisha, listen to me. We’ll find her. I promise you, we’ll bring Kathryn back.”Trisha’s eyes welled up with fresh tears as she looked at him. She shook her head slowly. “I should’ve... I should’ve done something. I was to
Chapter 52The sun was warm, and a light breeze rustled the trees. Kathryn let out a slow breath as they walked, taking it all in.“See? Feels nice, right?” Trisha said, glancing over at her.Kathryn nodded slowly. “I guess it’s not so bad.”“Not so bad?” Trisha laughed. “Please. I know you’re enjoying this.”A faint smile crept onto Kathryn’s face. “Maybe a little.”Trisha looked at her, her voice softening. “You’ve been through a lot, Kath. I know you don’t like to talk about it, but you’re back now. That’s all that matters.”Kathryn glanced down, her steps slowing a bit. “It’s just... sometimes I don’t know if I’m ready. Being here again... it’s not easy.”Trisha squeezed her arm gently. “One step at a time. That’s all you need to do. And when you don’t feel strong enough, I’ll remind you that you are.”Kathryn looked at her sister, her throat tightening for a second. “Thanks, Trish. You always know what to say.”“Of course I do. It’s my job as your annoying little sister,” Trisha