I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 215: He Is Trying To Manipulate You

Chapter 215: He Is Trying To Manipulate You

Levi’s jaw tightened, his eyes burning with a mixture of anger and hurt. He knew, instinctively, that Brandon had known that he was standing there. He had seen the subtle shift in Brandon’s demeanor, the almost imperceptible smirk that had flickered across his lips just before he embraced Lyse. It was a calculated move, a deliberate act designed to provoke him. And it had worked wonderfully. Levi’s blood simmered, a potent cocktail of jealousy and resentment coursing through his veins.

He watched, his frustration mounting, as Lyse turned in Brandon’s direction and noticed him for the first time, before she bid Brandon goodbye, a faint smile gracing her lips. He could not hear what they were saying, but he could imagine the words of comfort, the expressions of sympathy. He hated it. He hated the way Brandon looked at her, the way he touched her, the way he pretended to care for her after everything he had done.

As Lyse turned to walk towards her car, Levi could not contain himself any longer. He crossed the street in long, purposeful strides, his eyes never leaving her. He reached her just as she was about to open her car door, his hand closing around her arm.

Lyse flinched slightly, startled by his unexpected touch. She turned to face him, her expression guarded.

"Levi," she said, her voice cool and distant.

He pulled her slightly closer, his face filled with sadness and anger. "What was that all about?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Lyse’s eyes flashed with anger. She wrenched her arm free from his grasp, her movements sharp and defiant. "Who are you to ask me that?" she retorted, her voice laced with ice. "You are the one who hurt me, Levi. You are the one who humiliated me, don’t you forget that."

Levi’s heart twisted at her words. He knew that she was right. He knew he had hurt her, deeply. But he couldn’t bear the thought of her turning to Brandon for comfort, for support.

"Lyse, please," he pleaded, his voice softening. "I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I... I was wrong. I made a mistake."

She scoffed, her expression incredulous. "A mistake? You call taking advantage of a drunk girl a mistake? You lied to me, Levi. You deceived me. How can I ever trust you again?"

"You can’t trust me, but you trust him?" Levi asked through clenched teeth. "Can’t you just see that he is trying to take advantage of the situation. He is trying to manipulate you."

Lyse folded her arms and looked up at him. "You are one to talk." She said, in a heated voice. "You brought this upon yourself, you don’t have any right to look down on Brandon, he might have fucked up but he was under Sutton’s thumb. What is your excuse?"

Levi’s shoulders slumped. He knew he had made a terrible error in judgment. He had thought he was protecting her, protecting their relationship, but he had only succeeded in destroying it and now he had left the door open for Brandon to come charging in on his white horse like a knight.

Levi wanted to punch himself for being so stupid, for allowing things get as bad as they did before telling Lyse about that night.

"Lyse, please, I have explained that I was drunk and I never even touched you that night." he begged, his voice cracking with emotion. "Give me another chance. Let me explain. Let me make it up to you. Come home with me, Lyse. Please come home."

He reached out to take her hand, but she stepped away from him, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve.

"I can’t, Levi," she said, her voice firm as she raised her hands so that he would not reach for them again. "I can’t go back to the way things were. Not after knowing everything that’s happened."

He took a step towards her, desperate to close the distance between them. "Lyse, please," he pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.

But just as he was about to reach her, a hand landed on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. He turned to see Brandon standing behind him, his expression cold and determined.

"Leave her alone, Levi," Brandon said, his voice low and menacing. "She does not want to be with you."

Levi’s eyes narrowed. He glared at Brandon, his anger flaring. "This is none of your business," he growled. "Just step away."

Brandon’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Isn’t it? You hurt her, Levi. You betrayed her trust. And now you expect her to just forgive you and come running back to you? You are being delusional."

Levi’s fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to lash out at Brandon, to unleash his anger and frustration. But he knew he couldn’t. Not here, not now.

"This is between me and Lyse," he said, his voice strained.

"It was," Brandon retorted. "But you forfeited your right to be a part of her life the moment you decided to deceive her."

Lyse watched the two men, her heart aching. She didn’t want them to fight. She didn’t want any more drama, any more pain.

"Brandon, it’s okay," she said softly, her voice cutting through the tension. "I’m fine."

Brandon looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you sure, Lyse?"

Lyse nodded. "Yes," she said. "I’m sure."

She turned to Levi, her expression unreadable. "Goodbye, Levi," she said quietly.

She turned and got into her car, leaving the two men standing there, staring at each other. Levi’s eyes followed her as she walked to her car, his heart heavy with regret. He was afraid that he had lost her. He had lost her trust, her respect, her love. And he knew he had no one to blame but himself.

Brandon watched Lyse walk away, his expression a mixture of sadness and anger. He turned back to Levi, his eyes filled with contempt.