Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 428 "Do you like it?" That night, back at the hotel, Mila stepped out of the bathroom and immediately noticed the jeweled dagger resting on the nightstand.

It was a work of art-small, exquisite. The hilt was inlaid with emeralds, and the solid gold sheath, etched with ancient patterns, glittered with diamonds. It looked less like a weapon and more like a priceless antique. When she drew the blade, the cold, curved steel caught the light, gleaming sharply-a crescent moon of silver.

Exactly what she'd wanted.

She hadn't expected him to find it so quickly.

Mila gave the dagger an experimental flick, slicing cleanly through the loose front of a man's robe with barely any effort. The fabric fell away, revealing a chest still misted from a recent shower, muscles taut beneath the skin.

"Haven't you gotten enough oftonight, darling?" Despite nearly getting nicked, Lysander didn't even flinch. He just grinned, lazy and unbothered, as if the threat of a blade was an everyday amusement.

Mila shot him a look, not dignifying his nonsense with a response. She sheathed the dagger and examined it with curiosity. "Where did you get this?" "It's an antique," Lysander replied with a chuckle, utterly casual. "You said you needed one urgently. I couldn't find the right kind on short notice, so I sent Leonard to the local auction house and had him buy this for you. Supposedly, it was once a royal gift between two Western empires." An antique, after all.

Well-sharp enough, and that's what mattered.

Now that she had what she wanted, Mila ignored the man and decided she'd sleep with the dagger by her side tonight.

But just as she turned away, his hand closed around her arm.

"My dear," Lysander pulled her into his arms, lowering his head until his chin rested on her hair, laughter rumbling in his chest. "You get your gift and now you're just going to ignore me? Aren't you forgetting something in return?" So she couldn't just walk away.

After a pause, she asked coolly, "What do you want?" "You know." She felt the vibration of his laughter above her, heard the teasing in his voice. Mila shut her eyes briefly, then opened them again. Suddenly, she spun around, grabbed the torn edge of his robe, and yanked him down, retaliating with a fierce bite to his lips.

Bastard.

She didn't hold back-a drop of blood beaded at his mouth.

For a moment, Lysander's fox-like eyes went wide, pupils trembling in surprise. He barely had tto react before the bedroom door rang with an ill-timed knock.

"Sir." It was Leonard's voice from outside.

If Leonard was interrupting at this hour, it had to be urgent. Lysander pressed a hard kiss to Mila's lips, lingering until his breath was ragged, then let her go.

"I'll be back." "What is it?" Lysander shut the bedroom door behind him, running a hand through his still-damp hair.

"He's here," Leonard said, handing over an ornate invitation.

The gold-edged card opened to reveal a party invitation. At the bottom, the host's nstood out in bold: Cossio.

"A real invitation to a knife fight," Lysander scoffed, tossing the card back to Leonard, his smile mocking. "He wants to play games witha foreigner, trying his hand at tricks my ancestors perfected centuries ago. Amusing." "Will you go?" Leonard asked.

"Why wouldn't I?" Lysander's confidence was absolute as he grasped the doorknob, twisting it open with a cocky grin. "Tell Francis to be ready tonight." "The show's about to begin." Back in the bedroom.

Mila was already curled up under the covers, perfectly still, as if asleep. Lysander thought about waking her, tempted to hold her for a while, but his phone vibrated on the nightstand.

Caller ID: Son.

It was a video call from Adrian.

"What's wrong, buddy?" He hesitated, then answered, lowering his voice as he walked out onto the balcony and slid the glass door closed behind him.

"Dad, I miss you." On the screen, Adrian's face was pale, his mood downcast. "You've been gone so long. I miss you and Mom. Dad, did you find her?" "I did." Adrian's eyes lit up. "Where's Mom?" "She's..." Lysander started to say she was asleep, but stopped, thinking better of it. After a moment, he slid the glass door open again, returned to the bedroom, and sat at the edge of the bed, resting his hand gently on Mila's shoulder. on "Mila-Adrian wants to see you." The woman on the bed didn't stir, didn't answer. She seemed deeply asleep.

But Adrian, hearing his father's words, grew excited. His voice rose, calling out, "Mom! Mom, I miss you so much!" "Mom, I've been really good lately. I haven't gone anywhere I shouldn't, I've eaten well and done my schoolwork, I've listened to Grandpa and Great-grandpa..." "Mom, why won't you talk to me?" As the silence dragged on, Adrian's tone becdesperate, his voice catching, rising nearly to a wail. "Mom! Why are you ignoring me?" Lysander frowned, about to intervene, when the boy on the screen suddenly burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mom... I won't run away anymore, I promise. I'll do whatever you say, I'll be good! You're my mom. You can't just ignore me..." "I'm sorry, Mom." Lysander could feel Mila trembling beneath his hand. Her whole body shook, but she never turned, never made a sound.

All the while, she remained absolutely silent.

With a quiet sigh, Lysander withdrew

his hand, stood, and walked back onto the balcony, his voice gentle but distant as he told Adrian, "She's asleep, buddy. When she wakes up, I'll have her call you." The glass door closed softly behind him.

"Dad! You're lying!" Adrian's voice was sharp with accusation.

"Adrian." Lysander's eyes hardened, his gaze steady on the screen. The boy fell silent, his expression crumpling in frustration and hurt.

"Dad... does Mom not wantanymore?"

"No. Never Lysander's tone was low and steady, eyes dark and m unwavering. "Adrian remember this: NO you're your mother's only child.

You're her most precious treasure.

She would never, ever leave you." "But she won't talk to me..." "That's because she's asleep. When she wakes up, she'll cback to you and never leave again." "Really?" "Really. Dad would never lie to you."