I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 52: What Note? What Flowers?

Chapter 52: What Note? What Flowers?

Brooke arrived at Brandon’s luxurious penthouse, a place she had grown to consider her future home. She was glad to see Brandon who had been avoiding her since the incident at the hospital.

As she stepped inside, a sense of unease washed over her. There was a tension in the air, an undercurrent of something unspoken.

"Brandon, we need to talk about the engagement." she began softly.

She was afraid of saying the wrong thing, of annoying Brandon and rocking the boat. She just wanted him to actually participate in their relationship.

He was sitting on the couch, a look of weariness etched on his face. "I know, Brooke," he sighed. "And I am sorry, but I think we should... postpone the engagement for a while."

The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. Brooke’s heart sank. "Postpone?" she repeated, her voice rising. "Why would we want to do that? What has changed?"

Brandon hesitated, his gaze shifting away from hers. "I just... I need some time to think about things. About us."

’Some time to think my ass.’

Brooke’s anger flared. "Is this about Lyse? Is that it? You are still pining for her, aren’t you?"

Brandon’s jaw clenched. "No, Brooke, it’s not about her. It’s about us."

But Brooke was not going to buy that lie. "Don’t lie to me, Brandon. You and I know she is the reason for this. She has always been the one you truly wanted."

Brandon stood up abruptly, his patience wearing thin. "That is enough, Brooke. You know you are wrong."

"Lyse is married now, to an older man. She has moved on from you, can’t you see that?" Brooke said scornfully.

But Brandon just scoffed. "Married? To an older man? Please. That is just a cover-up. She is probably still playing games with me, how can she move on from me to that man and so quickly."

Brooke stared at him in disbelief, unable to understand how delusional he was being in the face of everything. As much as she hated to admit it, Lyse had moved on and married a wealthy man who was certainly not that old.

"I can’t believe how stupid you sound." She stared at him.

Brandon’s anger finally erupted. "Get out, Brooke. Just go."

"You are going to send me out of your house for someone who does not care about your existence? Did you not watch her press conference yesterday? You are dead to her." She screamed, trying to get across to him.

"I just need you to go." He repeated, his voice calmer.

With a look of pure fury, Brooke stormed out of the penthouse, slamming the door behind her. As she drove home, her mind raced. She could not believe what had just happened. Brandon, had betrayed her. And it was all because of Lyse.

Lyse. The name burned in her mind. She had always resented Lyse, the beautiful, brilliant girl who seemed to effortlessly get everything that she wanted. Her resentment had since turned into something darker, something more sinister.

Brooke was determined to get revenge. She would make Lyse pay for stealing Brandon’s heart. She would expose her true nature, her manipulative ways. She would ruin her.

Immediately she got home she stormed into Lottie’s room, startling her.

"Oh Brooke, did you just come back?"

"I want her destruction and I want it right now!" Brooke growled, her hands shaking.

Lottie hurriedly got out of bed and held Brooke’s hands. "What is wrong?"

The question unleashed the flood of tears that Brooke had been holding in and she sobbed in Lottie’s arms.

"Hush now, tell me what the matter is."

"Bra... Brandon told me he wants to postpone the engagement party and he won’t admit it but i know it’s because of Lyse."

Lottie’s face hardened when Brooke was done explaining and she gently wiped her face.

"You are right, we have been wasting too much time. Now is the time to take Lyse down."

The previous day, Lottie had watched aghast as Lyse appeared on television and announced to the world that she was married to Levi Van Doren, THE Levi Van Doren. It had left her stunned to actually claim him like that because she was still holding unto belief that Brooke and the private investigator were mistaken.

She had tried to call Lyse and had convinced her husband to call her too after all they were her parents, should Levi not come and see them? As much as she hated Lyse, she was not stupid enough to alienate her when they could get so much from her wealthy husband.

’That stupid brat dared to ignore our calls because she thinks that she is untouchable simply because she is married to Levi Van Doren."

She had initially considered keeping the blackmail to the minimum if Lyse had been willing to share some of her largesse but since Lyse wanted to be a snob she would have to teach her a lesson.

*

Just as Lyse was preparing to go home from work, her assistant came into her office with the most delightful arrangement of flowers.

"These arrived for you." She said, "Your husband must really adore you."

Levi had been sending her flowers like a dutiful husband and even though she did not want to admit it, it made her feel good.

She fingered the note attached to the flowers and read it.

To my dearest Lyse,

Your accepting to be my wife has changed my world, I love you more than life itself.

Your husband.

Lyse frowned as she read the words, the note seemed different from Levi’s usual notes. For one, Levi signed the notes with his name and he never said I love you.

It all felt very suspicious and Lyse wondered what game Levi was up to now. She however picked up the flowers and headed to the car where Joel was waiting for her.

And when Levi eventually got home and they were seated at the dining table, Lyse spoke.

"Thank you for the flowers you sent, i don’t understand what that note was about though."

Levi looked up at her and frowned, "What note? What flowers?"