“Brandon,” Lyra gasped as she looked at her husband, who was standing by the door.The room went quiet immediately.Brandon stood there with rage on his face as he was breathing hard. His eyes were red. He stared right at Lyra and Jake with their arms up in the air, like they were frozen in time.Lyra set her glass down."Brandon,”her jaw had tightened. "What do you think you are doing here? Don’t act ridiculous in front of my employees because of your stupid jealousy." Brandon did not move. He just stood there, staring to Lyra, who looked beautiful in her dress. "Our daughter is dying.” He said, his voice trembled.The room got quiet again as people started to whisper to each other, as they were getting uncomfortable.Lyra looked around. She was shocked for a second, but then it disappeared as she replaced the expression with madness.“You started it again,” she said. “ You are just throwing a tantrum because you did not get your way. You’re a nasty man, Brandon, and you have the g

“I don’t care who you speak to anymore,” he said in a low and flat manner. “Your heart hasn’t been in this family for a long time, Lyra. And I’m tired. I’m done trying to hold together something you already walked away from, and I am willing to let you go do whatever you want. You want to be with Jake? Go ahead and be with Jake. I don’t even care anymore, Lyra.”Lyra’s breath hitched, and for a second she looked into his eyes and saw that he was cold. There was nothing warm left there anymore.Her heart started to beat faster as she quickly pushed the feeling down.She refused to believe Brandon.Brandon had loved her unconditionally for six years. He had always obeyed her, given up his career for her. He had given her his savings. A man like that would never dare leave her after all those sacrifices.“Will you stop playing these games?” Lyra said, crossing her arms. “You think you can fool me? What is your goal here, Brandon?”“I only have one condition,” Brandon said, ignoring her q

The hospital corridor was really quiet. It felt like something was about to snap. Lyra looked down the hallway where Brandon was pointing.She saw the doors and suddenly felt unsure. For a moment the coldness in Brandon's voice got to her.Then Jake stepped in.He looked toward Lyra, a faint look of guilt and sadness crossing his face.“Lyra… go with Brandon,” he said quietly. “Go see your daughter. Go home with your husband if that’s what he wants. Please don’t let me and Leo become the reason your marriage falls apart.We’ll manage somehow on our own.”He lowered his eyes before adding softly,“ Ever since my divorce, Leo hasn’t had a mother figure in his life. Sometimes he sees other children with their moms at the park, and it breaks my heart watching him pretend it doesn’t bother him. I just didn’t want him to feel alone while he was scared and hurting. That’s why I asked Lyra to stay with him for a while. I never meant to create problems between the two of you.”Brandon let out

Before Brandon could do anything, the bedroom door opened.Jake came out first fixing his shirt, then Lyra came out laughing at something Jake said. They looked really comfortable together.Brandon’s fists trembled violently as anger surged through him.Lyra had brought these people into their house while Maggie was in the hospital. And they came out of the bedroom together. In his house. In the bedroom where they used to sleep together.Had they already moved in together? Had they started living as a family before he even signed the divorce papers?"Lyra," Brandon said, his voice shaking with rage. "What is going on here?"Lyra stopped laughing when she saw Brandon and Maggie. Her expression immediately hardened.Jake hurried down the stairs with an apologetic expression on his face.“Brandon, please don’t misunderstand what’s happening here,” Jake said softly, his voice sounding sincere even though there was something fake beneath it. “Tomorrow is Leo’s birthday, and our apartment s

"Yes! Thank you Mommy!" A big smile came back to Maggie's face.Brandon looked at his wife one last time.He took Maggie's hand and turned toward the front door. "Let's go, Maggie," Brandon said, his voice smooth and empty.As he gripped the door handle he looked back at Lyra. She was standing close to Jake again."Don't worry, Lyra," Brandon stated quietly, his voice cold enough to make the room feel colder. "Maggie and I are leaving now. From this moment on, neither of us will ever stand in the way of the life you clearly want."His eyes lingered on Jake standing beside her before returning to Lyra."But remember one thing," Brandon continued. "You promised Maggie that you'd come see her tomorrow. So keep your promise for once."His hand tightened around Maggie’s small fingers.With that Brandon opened the door, stepped out onto the porch with Maggie and slammed the door shut behind them.Inside the house, Lyra stood frozen near the staircase. As she watched Brandon disappear throug