I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 134: Facade Of A Caring Mother

Chapter 134: Facade Of A Caring Mother

The atmosphere in the Chadwick house was thick with unspoken tension. Brooke and Lottie’s constant hovering, their forced displays of affection, only amplified Lyse’s discomfort and had her considering returning to her apartment. The only impediment was Brandon, there was a sinister and dishonest way about him and she did not want to be at his mercy.

After a strained dinner, Lyse excused herself, claiming exhaustion. She retreated to the guest room that had been prepared for her, longing for a moment of solitude. Once she was safely out of earshot, Brooke turned to Lottie, her carefully constructed facade of concern crumbling into frustration and anger.

"She refused me," Brooke said, her voice tight. "She would not even bother to take a look at my designs." Lottie’s perfectly manicured eyebrows furrowed.

She was still burning at Lyse’s rejection. She had wanted Lyse to look at the work for two reasons, to see if she recognized it as hers and also because what Brooke had gotten from Kim was unfinished work since Lyse had not finished working on it before her accident.

"What do you mean, she refused?" Lottie asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "I told you this was the perfect opportunity to use her. With her amnesia, she is completely dependent on us."

"I know," Brooke retorted, her voice rising slightly. "But she just... shut me down. She said she needed to focus on her recovery. She wouldn’t even look at the folder. She is... different."

Lottie’s lips pressed into a thin line. The Golden Fleece competition was a prestigious event in the fashion world, a chance for Brooke to make a name for herself. With Lyse’s talent and expertise, Brooke had been confident that she could create a winning submission. Now, with Lyse’s refusal, those hopes were fading.

"I will talk to her," Lottie said, her voice firm and confident . "Don’t worry, she has no other choice than to listen to me."

Brooke watched her mother with a mixture of hope and skepticism. She knew that Lottie was capable of persuasion, if there was anyone who could convince Lyse it was her. After all, Lottie had done it before, she could do it again. But then, Brooke also noticed that Lyse, even in her confused state, possessed a strong will.

Later that evening, Lottie approached Lyse’s room, a tray with a cup of herbal tea and a plate of delicate pastries balanced in her hands. She knocked gently on the door, putting on her most charming smile as Lyse opened it.

"Lyse darling, I brought you some tea," Lottie said, her voice warm and soothing. "I thought you might enjoy a little something before bed."

Lyse hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, allowing Lottie to enter. She took the tray from her, placing it on the bedside table.

"Thank you," she said, her voice polite but distant.

"How are you feeling?" Lottie asked, concern dripping off her words.

"I think that i should probably go to the hospital and have a follow up check up." Lyse said.

"What? Why?" Lottie asked hurriedly, "You look perfectly okay, don’t you feel fine?"

"It’s the proper thing to do isn’t it?" Lyse asked, "If I want to get my memories back, i should go and see a doctor."

Lottie did not want Lyse to return to the hospital, they might find a way to recover her memories and that could not happen, at least not until they had carried out their plans.

"Fine, we can make an appointment." She said, then she sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on Lyse.

"Brooke was telling me that you went to the Atelier and she told you about her designs for the Golden Fleece competition," she began, her voice casual. "She has been working so hard, and I know how much it would mean to her to get your input."

Lyse’s expression remained unchanged. "I am glad that Brooke is pursuing her passion," she said, her voice neutral and a little cold.

"But darling, your expertise would be invaluable to her, you should help your sister," Lottie pressed, her voice laced with subtle flattery. "You have such a keen eye for design. Just a few suggestions, a little guidance, that’s all she needs."

Lyse took a sip of her tea, avoiding Lottie’s gaze. "I am not really thinking about fashion right now," she said, her voice firm. "I need to focus on getting better."

Lottie’s smile faltered slightly. "But darling, it would be such a small thing," she persisted. "And it would mean so much to Brooke. And to me."

Lyse looked at Lottie, her eyes filled with a quiet resolve. "I am really sorry, mom," she said, her voice clear and unwavering. "But I can’t. I need time for myself."

Lottie’s frustration began to rise, but she forced herself to remain calm. She knew she could not push Lyse too hard, not if she wanted to maintain the facade of a caring mother.

"Of course, darling," she said, her voice laced with forced understanding. "I understand that. Your health is the most important thing right now, you are absolutely right."

She stood up, forcing a smile onto her face. "Just let me know if there is anything you need," she said, her voice sweet but strained.

She left the room, her frustration simmering beneath the surface. She had hoped that Lyse’s amnesia would make her more compliant, more easily manipulated.

But she had underestimated her resilience. Even without her memories, Lyse possessed a new strength and independence that Lottie could not ignore. She knew she would have to tread carefully, to play the long game if she wanted to achieve her goals.

But she was determined to get what she wanted for Brooke and that was a successful career, she wanted her daughter to be a member of the top echelons of the fashion industry. She needed Lyse’s help, and she was not about to let anything stand in her way. Even if it meant pretending to be a loving mother, a role she had never truly embraced with Lyse.