HE LOST HIS DAUGHTER ONCE, NOW HE’S A RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE

WHAT ABOUT YOUR OWN FAMILY?

“Your daughter has been crying for you for the last two hours, Lyra.” 

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. She stopped breathing.

Then Jake stepped in. He let go of Lyra's shoulder then took a step towards Brandon. He put his hands up like he was saying sorry. His face showed how sorry and sad he was.

"Brandon, look at me," Jake said softly. "I know why you are mad at me. If I were you I would be mad too. I would feel that way if I saw another man close to my wife. Leo and I have caused so many problems for you and Lyra today. We made things tense between you two."

Brandon did not move. He just kept staring at Jake with hard eyes clenching his fists like he wanted to punch him. He watched Jake talk like he was performing.

“I was terrified when Leo started crying in pain this morning,” Jake continued calmly as he looked down at his son. “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.”

Jake swallowed hard before continuing.

“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.”

Then Jake slowly 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.”

He lowered his eyes before adding softly,

“We’ll manage somehow on our own.”

Brandon let out a short laugh, though there was no humor in it.

“Do you practice speeches like this in front of a mirror, Jake?” Brandon asked coldly, his eyes filled with anger. “You’re really good at pretending to be the selfless father sacrificing everything for his son. But in reality, all you’re doing is trying to make me look like the villain.”

His jaw tightened as he stared directly at Jake.

“You want everyone to think I’m some heartless husband trying to drag his wife away from a sick child. It’s manipulative, Jake. And worst of all? It’s fake.”

Lyra’s expression darkened immediately.

“Brandon, stop it!” she snapped angrily as she stepped in front of Jake protectively. “How can you speak to him like this after everything he’s done for us? You’re not exactly a good person yourself.”

Brandon let out a quiet laugh, though there was no humor in it.

“I’m not a good person?” he repeated coldly.

His eyes slowly shifted toward the end of the hallway before returning to Lyra.

“Lyra… our daughter is waiting for you down that hallway.”

“I’m tired of the lies you keep telling about Maggie, Brandon,” she snapped, her eyes filled with anger and disgust. “Just look at the difference between you and Jake. For the last six months, Jake has worked himself to exhaustion for my company. He sacrificed his weekends, his nights, and all his energy just to help keep my business afloat.”

Her voice trembled with frustration as she continued.

“He was so busy helping me and carrying this company on his back that he barely even had time to take care of his own son. That’s why Leo got sick in the first place. Because Jake was too busy helping us.”

She pointed a trembling finger at Brandon’s chest, breathing heavily with anger and frustration.

“It’s only fair for me to help Jake and his family when they need me after everything they’ve done for us.”

Brandon did not move her hand away. His eyes slowly lowered to the finger pressed against his chest before lifting back to Lyra’s face.

For seven years, he had loved this woman with everything he had.

“What about your own family, Lyra?” he asked quietly.

“What family are you talking about, Brandon?” Lyra let out a bitter laugh, her voice filled with anger and disappointment. “The family where I’m the one carrying everything alone?”

She pointed at him accusingly.

“Compared to Jake, who actually works hard and supports me, what do you even do? You stay home, clean the house, and take care of basic things anyone could do. You’ve never helped my career, my reputation, or my company. You’ve never brought opportunities or connections into my life. All you ever do is criticize me and make me feel like I’m some terrible person.”

She paused to catch her breath, her lips trembling with emotion.

“And now you’re using our six-year-old daughter to manipulate me into coming home by giving up on everything I'm building with my own efforts?” Her eyes reddened with anger and disbelief. “You actually made up an illness just to win an argument against me. Honestly, Brandon… I’m really disappointed in you.”

Lyra didn’t wait for Brandon to respond. She didn’t even glance toward the hallway where Maggie’s room was.

Instead, she turned her back on him without hesitation.

“Come on, Jake,” Lyra said softly as she reached for Leo’s hand. “Let’s take Leo back to his room so he can rest. Just ignore the noise.”