I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 222: A Really Bad Feeling About Him

Chapter 222: A Really Bad Feeling About Him

Levi’s head throbbed, a dull, persistent ache that pulsed with every beat of his heart and reminded him of his reckless youth. Unfortunately, he was not as young as he used to be and it told on him. He groaned, his eyes fluttering open to reveal a world swimming in a hazy, distorted light. The remnants of the previous night’s indulgence clung to him like a damp, heavy blanket. He tried to sit up, but a wave of nausea washed over him, forcing him to sink back into the pillows.

"Ugh," he mumbled, his voice hoarse and scratchy. "What... what happened last night?"

"You happened," a voice replied, sharp and clear.

Levi’s head snapped towards the sound, his eyes widening in surprise. Lyse stood by the window, her back to him, her silhouette framed by the morning sunlight. She was dressed in sweat pants and a hoodie.

"Lyse?" he croaked, his voice barely audible. "What are you doing here?"

She turned to face him, her expression cool and composed. "You summoned me your highness, don’t you remember?" she said, her voice flat. "You were... quite a mess last night."

Levi’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He vaguely remembered seeing her at the bar, but he had assumed it was a drunken hallucination. Now, he realized she had actually been there, that she had taken him home. The realization was mortifying.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"No," he mumbled, his head pounding like a drum.

"Good," she replied, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. "That is what you get when you go out on a drunken night."

Levi stared at her, his mind struggling to process the situation. He felt a wave of humiliation wash over him. He had made a fool of himself.

"Lyse, I... I’m sorry," he stammered, his gaze shifting away from hers. "I didn’t mean to..."

"I’m sure," she interrupted, her voice laced with weariness. "You never mean to. But you do whatever you like anyway."

She walked over to the bed, her eyes fixed on him. "You are too old to be getting drunk like that, Levi," she said, her voice firm. "You need to take care of yourself. You can’t keep doing this to yourself."

Levi remained silent, his head bowed in shame. He knew she was right. He had acted irresponsibly, recklessly. He had used alcohol as a crutch, trying to numb the pain of his mistakes and Lyse’s rejection.

"And I don’t want to be called again," she continued, her voice hardening. "Next time you decide to go on a binge-drinking spree, find someone else to babysit you."

She turned to leave, her expression cold and dismissive.

"Lyse, wait," Levi said, his voice laced with urgency. He couldn’t let her leave like this. He couldn’t let her walk out of his life again.

She paused, her hand resting on the doorknob, but she didn’t turn around.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice flat.

"I... I’m not comfortable with you living with James," he said, his voice hesitant. "Especially now that Brandon is there, too. Even if you don’t want to stay here, you can stay in another of my apartments."

Lyse’s shoulders tensed. She turned to face him, her eyes flashing with anger. "And why should that concern you, Levi?" she asked, her voice sharp. "I’m not your problem anymore. You don’t get to dictate where I live or who I associate with, you can take your money and throw it to the birds."

Lyse was made at Levi trying to use his money to buy her affection while also trying to control her actions.

"I’m just worried about you," he said, his voice pleading. "Brandon is... he’s not to be trusted. He is playing a game, Lyse. He’s trying to take advantage of you."

Lyse scoffed. "And you’re not?" she retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You’re the one who lied to me, Levi. You’re the one who betrayed my trust. Why should I believe anything you have to say?"

"Because I love you, Lyse," he said, his voice filled with desperation. "I’m just trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" she laughed, a short, bitter sound.

"You are the one I need protecting from, Levi. After holding me up and making me believe in your love, you brought me crashing to the ground. You have caused me nothing but pain and heartache."

She turned to leave again, her anger palpable.

"Lyse, please," he pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. "Don’t do this. Don’t let Brandon come between us."

Lyse stopped, her hand hovering over the doorknob. She turned her head slightly, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve.

"He is not coming between us, Levi," she said quietly. "You did that all by yourself."

With that, she turned and walked out the door, leaving Levi alone in the quiet apartment. He stared at the closed door, his heart heavy with regret. He had pushed her away, again. He had let his insecurities and his fears ruin everything.

He knew he had to do something. He couldn’t just sit here and watch Brandon take Lyse away from him. He had to protect her, even if she didn’t want his protection.

He reached for his phone, his hand shaking slightly. He dialed Joel’s number, his mind racing.

"Joel," he said, his voice urgent, "I need a favor."

"Yes Boss,What do you need?" Joel asked, his voice instantly alert.

"I need you to keep an eye on Lyse," Levi said. "I am worried about her. I don’t trust Brandon."

"I understand sir." Joel simply said.

"Keep me updated." Levi said, then he hung up the phone, his mind still racing. He knew he couldn’t rely on Joel forever. He had to find a way to win Lyse back, to prove to her that he had changed. He had to show her that he was worthy of her love.

Lyse might think that he was just being jealous when he spoke about Brandon, but he had a really bad feeling about him.