I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 69: Unexpected Invitation

Chapter 69: Unexpected Invitation

The phone rang, interrupting Lyse’s peaceful evening. She glanced at the screen, recognizing her father’s number. A wave of confusion hit her, why would he be calling her phone. She hesitated before answering, her tone clipped when she finally did.

"Hello." she said, her voice devoid of warmth.

"Lyse, my child. where have you been? I have been trying to reach you," Jeff’s voice, usually smooth and confident, sounded a bit strained.

"Your child?" Lyse scoffed in disbelief at the term he had used. She had never been his child, just some unwanted child. "Why, suddenly are you concerned about my whereabouts? After all these years of ignoring me, pretending I did not exist to you?"

Lyse’s relationship with her father was complicated. Whereas her mom had always been very straightforward about her dislike for her, her father had not really interacted with her. He left her entirely to her mother’s mercy and that caused her to despise him even though she also craved his recognition and love.

Jeff stumbled over his words. "I... I did not mean it like that. It’s just... I hate to come between a mother and her daughter so I left you to Lottie, but I never hurt you."

Lyse rolled her eyes in disbelief at his ignorance, everytime he had refused to take her side he had hurt her.

"So basically you were a coward, Or maybe you just didn’t care. But now that I’m married to a wealthy man, suddenly you are interested in reconnecting with me."

Jeff sighed, the weight of her words heavy on him. "I know that have made mistakes, Lyse. I wish that I had done things differently."

Lyse scoffed again. "Spare me the crocodile tears, Father." She said bitterly, "I know the truth."

A beat of silence followed. Then, Jeff’s voice softened. "I am truly sorry, Lyse and to show how sorry I am, I want to make amends."

Lyse hesitated. A part of her wanted to dismiss him outright, to cut him out of her life completely like he had more or less cut her out of his life. But another part, a part she had not acknowledged in a long time, was curious. She wanted to show her family, to show the world, that she had risen high above their expectations.

"Why are you really calling me, father, what do you want?" she asked, her voice steady.

"I would like to invite you and Levi to dinner at the house. A family dinner."

Lyse was surprised at the unexpected invitation. A family dinner? With her family? It sounded absurd, yet strangely appealing. It was a chance to show them that she was no longer the vulnerable, heartbroken girl that they had hurt.

"Alright then," she said, her voice firm. "I will come."

"Really?" Jeff asked skeptically, her answer had been too quick. "Will Levi come also?" That was who he really needed to see, to hell with Lyse.

"Yes." She sighed, hoping that she did not regret accepting his invitation. "I will speak to Levi and if he agrees with it, we will come."

"Of course he will agree, you are his wife after all." Jeff was very relieved. "Great. I will set a date."

As she hung up the phone, Lyse could not shake a feeling of anticipation. This was a risky move, but it was also a bold one. She was ready to face her past, to confront the demons that had haunted her for so long. And she was ready to emerge victorious.

She typed out a text to Levi, informing him that her father had invited them for dinner. For a moment, she wondered if he would say no. After all, he was under no obligation to act as her husband.

But she shrugged. If he said no, it would give her an excuse not to go. Now that she had gotten off the phone with her father she was regretting accepting his invitation.

But almost immediately after she had sent the text, she received one from Levi and he agreed that it would be a good idea to visit her parents together.

*

The soft glow of the afternoon sun cast a warm hue over the luxurious dining room. Lyse, her heart filled with a gentle warmth, hummed a tune as she entered the kitchen. She was in a good mood and she wanted to do something for Levi so she decided to cook.

Mrs. Evelyn got to her feet when Lyse came in. "Mrs Van Doren, is there something you need?" She asked.

"Actually, I would like to make dinner for my husband."

Mrs Evelyn smiled, "I would be happy to be of assistance."

By the end of the afternoon, the aroma of roasted chicken, some steak, herb roasted potatoes, fragrant rice pilaf, and a medley of fresh vegetables filled the air. Lyse had even baked a decadent chocolate cake, a dessert she knew anyone would adore. She was an accomplished cook so she only needed Mrs Evelyn’s help with chopping and cleaning while she did all the cooking.

Together they arranged the mouth watering dishes on the dining table and while Mrs Evelyn set out the rest of the table, Lyse went up to take a shower and get changed.

She decided on a sultry red dress with a thigh high slit in the front, the silky fabric clinging to her curves. A touch of red lipstick and a swipe of mascara completed the look. She emerged, feeling both excited and nervous for how Levi would feel about everything.

"You look beautiful Mrs Van Doren." Mrs Evelyn complimented Lyse.

"Thank you so much, Mrs Evelyn. You may take the evening off, I will see you tomorrow."

Mrs Evelyn smiled at the thought of a free evening and left after she thanked Lyse.

Lyse proudly surveyed everything that had been laid out on the dining table when her phone buzzed, a text message. She opened the link in the text message and her heart dropped to her belly. Just then the door opened and she raised her eyes to meet Levi’s.