I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 219: He Had To Win Lyse Back, No Matter The Cost

Chapter 219: He Had To Win Lyse Back, No Matter The Cost

The dim lighting of the bar cast long shadows across Levi’s face, accentuating the lines of worry etched on his forehead. He swirled the remaining whiskey in his glass, the ice clinking softly, a counterpoint to the turmoil raging within him. He had already downed several drinks, the burn of the alcohol a temporary anaesthetic against the gnawing anxiety that had taken root in his gut.

Chris slid into the booth opposite him, his expression a mixture of concern and amusement. "Whoa, slow down there, Levi," he said, gesturing towards the almost-empty glass. "You are going to be three sheets to the wind at this rate."

Levi waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about it," he mumbled, his words slightly slurred. "I can handle it."

Chris frowned. "You’ve been saying that a lot lately," he said, his voice laced with concern. "And every time you say it, you end up getting more... unpredictable."

Levi shrugged, taking another swig of his drink. "I just need to unwind," he said. "It’s been a... stressful past couple of days."

"Stressful?" Chris echoed, raising an eyebrow. "That is an understatement. What happened with Lyse this morning? I heard things got a little... heated."

Chris had met with Ethan who had relayed how is boss had almost gotten into fisticuffs with Brandon over Lyse.

Levi’s jaw tightened. He thought about the confrontation, the way Lyse had looked at him with such cold disdain. He thought about Brandon, his smug smile, his calculated moves. The memory fueled his anger, the burning sensation in his chest intensifying.

"Brandon," he spat, his voice laced with bitterness. "That guy is such a snake. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him."

Chris chuckled. "Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, Levi," he teased. "Just because Brandon is trying to be Lyse’s friend doesn’t mean he is scheming against you."

Levi scoffed. "You don’t get it, Chris," he said, his voice rising slightly. "Brandon is playing a game. He is trying to take advantage of Lyse’s vulnerability. He’s trying to worm his way back into her life."

"And you think she’s going to fall for it?" Chris asked, his expression skeptical. "Lyse is smarter than that, Levi. She knows what Brandon did to her."

"That’s what I thought," Levi said, his voice laced with worry. "But... I don’t know. Something about him feels off. He’s been acting really weird lately."

"Weird how?" Chris asked.

"He quit his job," Levi said, his voice filled with suspicion. "Just up and left, without even telling me. And now... now he’s moved into James’s apartment building. For all i know, he could be right across the hall from Lyse."

Chris shrugged. "So? Maybe he just needed a change of scenery," he said. "Maybe he wanted to be closer to... well, you know."

Levi glared at him. "Don’t be an idiot, Chris," he said. "He is planning something. I can feel it."

Chris sighed. "Look, Levi," he said, his voice softening, "I understand you are worried about Lyse. But you’re letting your paranoia get the better of you. Brandon isn’t some mastermind criminal. He is just... Brandon."

"You are missing the point, Chris," Levi said, his frustration growing. "It’s not just about Brandon. It’s about Lyse. She’s... she is vulnerable right now. She’s hurting. And Brandon is trying to take advantage of that."

"And what are you going to do about it?" Chris asked. "You’re not exactly in her good graces right now, Levi. You kind of... lied to her about a rather significant detail of relationship."

Levi’s jaw tightened. He knew Chris was right. He had made a mess of things with Lyse. He had hurt her, betrayed her trust. And now, he was paying the price.

"I am going to win her back," Levi said, his voice filled with determination. "I’m going to show her that... that I’m worthy of her love."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "That is going to be a tough sell, Levi," he said. "Especially considering..." He trailed off, his gaze shifting to Levi’s hand, which was gripping his empty glass tightly.

"Considering what?" Levi asked, his voice laced with impatience.

Chris hesitated. He knew this was a sensitive subject, but he also knew that Levi needed to hear it.

"Considering that you married her without a prenup," he said finally, his voice quiet.

Levi’s grip on his glass tightened further. His knuckles turned white. He knew Chris was right. He had been so focused on keeping his marriage a secret, so convinced that he was protecting Lyse, that he hadn’t even considered the legal ramifications.

"Don’t remind me," he muttered, his voice filled with self-loathing.

"I’m just saying, Levi," Chris said gently. "You need to think about this. Lyse is... she’s entitled to half of everything you own. That is a significant amount of money."

Levi scoffed. "I don’t care about the money," he said. "All I care about is Lyse."

"I know, Levi," Chris said. "But you need to be realistic. Lyse is... she’s not going to just forgive you and forget everything that happened. She’s hurt, she’s angry. And she has every right to be."

Levi remained silent, his gaze fixed on the swirling whiskey in his glass. He knew Chris was right. He had made a terrible mistake, a mistake that could cost him everything.

"You’re not helping, Chris," he said finally, his voice laced with irritation. "Just... just leave it alone, okay?"

Chris sighed. He knew he had overstepped his bounds. He had just been trying to be a friend, trying to make Levi see the reality of the situation. But Levi was in no mood to listen to reason.

"Alright, Levi," he said. "I’ll leave it alone. But... just promise me you’ll think about what I said."

Levi nodded curtly, his gaze still fixed on his glass.

"Fine," Chris said, standing up. "I’ll see you later, Levi."

He hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to say something more. But then, he simply nodded again and walked away, leaving Levi alone with his thoughts, his regrets, and his rapidly emptying glass of whiskey. The dim lights of the bar seemed to close in on him, the silence amplifying the turmoil within him. He had made a mess of things, a colossal mess. And he didn’t know how he was going to fix it. All he knew was that he had to try. He had to win Lyse back, no matter the cost.