CHAPTER 259: PLAYING THE CONCERNED HUSBAND

When Levi stepped out of James’ apartment building, his thoughts still tangled with the cold reception he had just recieved from his wife... well, ex wife. The cat’s hiss echoed in his mind more than it should have, and Lyse’s icy restraint haunted him even more than her actual words. She had changed, grown colder, more careful. She was still hurting. And despite his presence, she had let him walk into that apartment and leave again without once letting her guard down.

The warm afternoon sun was deceptive, painting the pavement gold, but Levi’s mood remained clouded. His footsteps echoed along the corridor toward the parking lot, his phone in hand, half-considering calling Chris again to talk things over. But just as he reached the edge of the sidewalk, a voice cut through the stillness like a knife wrapped in velvet.

"Well, look who is still playing the concerned husband. I hope you know you dont fool Lyse with that facade anymore."

Levi stopped.

Slowly, he turned.

Brandon leaned against a shiny black Audi with his arms crossed, wearing a lazy smirk and mirrored sunglasses that reflected Levi’s sharp expression. He looked perfectly relaxed, as though he had been waiting there for hours with no place better to be.

Levi narrowed his eyes, he should have known that Brandon would not miss an opportunity to try to goad him so that he could look good before Lyse, but Levi was not going to be needled by the rat.

"Lurking around apartments now? That’s new. Or did you lose your way to my closest ex?"

Brandon clicked his tongue and pushed off the car with exaggerated ease. "I was just about to go out for a drive. What a coincidence, running into you here."

Levi scoffed. "You have never done anything coincidental in your life."

Brandon chuckled. "Touché."

He sauntered forward until he was within a few feet of Levi, his smile tilting with mock sympathy. "Look, I get it. You still think you matter to her. But maybe it’s time to accept that Lyse doesn’t need you anymore. You showing up like some brooding hero isn’t going to change that."

Levi’s jaw tensed. "What happens between me and my wife is none of your business."

"Wife, huh?" Brandon let out a theatrical sigh. "Not for long."

Levi stiffened. "What did you just say?"

"Oh, you didn’t know?" Brandon’s grin stretched wider. "Lyse asked me if I knew any good divorce lawyers, you should be getting something in the mail soon. Funny how you’re always the last to know. Must sting."

For a moment, Levi’s expression remained neutral. Carefully schooled. But inside, something reeled. He did not let it show. He’d trained himself to keep emotion behind walls, behind cold logic and observation. But hearing that from Brandon of all people made his pulse flicker with something dangerously close to fury and devastation.

"I’m sure you were quick to offer suggestions," Levi said coolly.

Brandon tilted his head. "Well, I’m always happy to help Lyse. I will be offering her my full support... and shoulder to cry on."

Levi took a step closer, his voice dropping. "Did you also help her by hiring Anya to drug me and then killing her?"

That wiped the grin clean off Brandon’s face.

Levi kept going, eyes fixed like lasers. "Because Anya’s dead now. Thought you should know, but i bet you dont need me to tell you that."

Brandon blinked once, then gave a careless shrug. "Unfortunate. I had no idea."

"Of course you didn’t," Levi said. "You’ve always been good at staying just behind the scenes. Pulling strings. Letting others take the fall."

Brandon’s façade returned, thinner this time. "I’m not interested in your little murder theories. I’m not the one who is always surrounded by scandals and accidents. Maybe you should be asking yourself who really benefits from all of this."

"I am." Levi’s gaze dropped briefly to the thin scratches lining Brandon’s left cheek, still faintly red against his skin. "Where did you get those?"

Brandon’s smile faltered. He turned slightly, angling away from Levi. "Accidents happen."

"She scratch you?" Levi asked, voice like steel. "Anya had always been fiesty, i am willing tp bet she put up a fight before you ended her life.?"

Brandon said nothing.

Instead, he turned and walked away.

Just like that.

Dismissive.

Avoidant.

Guilty.

Levi didn’t stop him. He stood there for a long moment, watching Brandon’s figure retreat. Watching the muscles of his back stay too tense for a man pretending indifference. Watching how fast he climbed into his car and started it without looking back.

Only when the Audi rolled down the street and out of sight did Levi finally move again.

He didn’t get into his car. Not yet.

Instead, he walked slowly, pacing down the quiet street lined with trimmed hedges and the distant hum of city life just beyond the residential enclave. His mind wasn’t calm—it was racing, frantically putting pieces together.

Brandon had been there on purpose. The timing was too perfect.

And Lyse asking about divorce lawyers? That had to be recent. Possibly even after the incident with the paparazzi. Which meant Brandon had her ear now more than Levi expected.

Or... someone had planted the idea in her mind.

Was it Brandon? or Someone else?

The scratches on Brandon’s face hadn’t looked like an accident. And his refusal to answer had said more than any confession.

Levi clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms. This wasn’t just about Lyse being angry or needing space anymore. There were moves being made around her, coordinated ones.

Anya’s death had been too clean.

Brandon’s presence today too calculated.

And Lyse... she was at the center of it all, her trust eroding, her instincts sharpened from betrayal.

He returned to his car at last, unlocking it and sliding into the driver’s seat. For a few minutes, he didn’t start the engine. Just sat there in the silence, letting the pieces settle.

He couldn’t force Lyse to come back.

But he could protect her... even from herself, if he had to.

Even if it meant walking alone.

Even if she hated him for it.

Because if Brandon thought Levi Van Doren was going to step aside and hand her over without a fight, then he didn’t know Levi at all.