Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Lyman's brow furrowed, his tone curt. "No need."

"Lyman, I swear I didn't mean for this to happen. If I'd known Effie would show up now, I never would have "

A flash of irritation flickered in Lyman's eyes. He cut Isabel off. "I said, there's no need."

He turned to Luther. "Take her back to her apartment."

Isabel stared after Lyman's retreating figure, her gaze hardening. Her fists clenched at her sides.

"Of course," Luther replied. Turning to Isabel, he said, "Miss Isabel, let me drive you home."

Isabel forced a gracious smile, masking her frustration. "Thank you, Luther. Sorry for the trouble."

Luther kept his tone polite, but distant. "It's no trouble. That's what I'm here for."

If Effie had been there to see it, she would have noticed just how determined Lyman was to keep his distance from Isabel.

Later that night, Lyman had someone find Nita's address. By the time he arrived, the apartment was dark; Nita and the others had already gone upstairs and turned in for the night.

Lyman stared up at the blacked-out windows, pulling out his phone to call Effie again. She didn't answer.

For the first time, a wave of helplessness and anxiety welled up inside him.

Effie had been drinking and should've fallen asleep easily. But despite the alcohol, her mind wouldn't stop spinning. She tossed and turned in bed, unable to get comfortable.

Beside her, Nita had already started snoring, the sound echoing through the quiet

room.

Effie reached out and nudged Nita, but Nita didn't even stir-the snoring continued, relentless as ever.

Growing desperate, Effie gave her a sharper kick. Nita jolted awake. "Huh? What's wrong?"

"You're snoring. Could you sleep on your side?" Effie mumbled.

Nita, half-asleep, grunted and rolled over, drifting right back into slumber. The snoring stopped, but sleep still eluded Effie.

Every time she closed her eyes, the image of Lyman and Isabel, sitting together in the car outside her building, kept replaying in her mind.

Why had Isabel come to her place? Was Lyman bringing her home? Weren't they supposed to leave Isabel's situation for Lindy Etheridge to handle-both of them stepping back?

But if that was the plan, then what on earth was happening now?

Even as Effie tried to talk herself out of overthinking, her mind kept running in circles, refusing to listen.

Unable to stand it any longer, she opened her eyes, sat up, and walked over to the window, hoping a change of scenery might help her relax.

She was just gazing out into the night when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Lyman leaning against a car under the streetlamp, a cigarette glowing between his fingers.

One leg was bent, the fabric of his pants taut over his powerful thigh. There was a raw, masculine energy about him-not the soft, polished look of some actor on TV, but something primal and magnetic. Effie's eyes were drawn to him, unable to look away.

It really was him.

What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be with Isabel right now?

As if sensing her gaze, Lyman looked up, locking eyes with her through the window-a silent, electric moment.noveldrama

His eyes lit up the instant he saw her. He raised a hand, beckoning her to come down.

Suddenly, Effie's silhouette vanished from the window.

Lyman's expression dimmed, a shadow falling over his eyes.