Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 203: Unveiling Intentions

The crisp night air wrapped around the balcony, the distant hum of the city blending with the faint echoes of laughter and music from inside the grand estate. Golden lights from the ballroom cast a soft glow onto the terrace, but out here, under the vast expanse of the evening sky, the atmosphere was still and undisturbed. The cool marble railing stood in stark contrast to the warmth of the celebration within, an unspoken line between the revelry and the conversation about to unfold.

Lydia had been precise in choosing this secluded spot. She had ensured no wandering guests would overhear what she had to say. Her sharp heels clicked against the marble floor as she turned to face Evander, whose tall frame leaned slightly against the railing, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His patience was clearly wearing thin.

"So what is it, Lydia?" Evander asked, his voice flat, his eyes shadowed beneath the dim balcony lights. "What exactly is this gift that required so much secrecy?"

Lydia smirked, tilting her head as she held her purse in front of her with both hands. "Seems like you’re in a hurry." Her voice held a teasing edge, but Evander merely let out a heavy sigh, his fingers tightening around his forearm.

"Just get to the point," he said, his patience thinning.

Evander exhaled sharply, forcing himself to keep his expression neutral.

Of course, he was in a hurry.

He wanted to find Delphinia, not stand here entertaining Lydia’s little games. Every second wasted here was a second he could be spending with her instead. The thought frustrated him more than it should have, but he didn’t bother suppressing it.

Tonight was supposed to be different. He had planned to stay by Delphinia’s side, to enjoy the night with her. Not to get tangled up in whatever Lydia was scheming.

Lydia hummed in amusement before finally opening her purse. She reached inside with delicate fingers and pulled out a sleek, cream-colored envelope. The expensive paper had an elegant sheen under the soft glow of the outdoor lanterns.

"Here," she said simply, holding it out to him.

Evander eyed the envelope before taking it from her, his fingers brushing against the fine texture of the paper. He turned it over once, feeling its weight. He could tell it wasn’t just some sentimental letter.

"Open it," Lydia prompted, watching him closely.

Evander shot her a glance but did as she asked. Sliding his finger beneath the flap, he tore it open and pulled out the contents. His sharp eyes scanned the document inside—a luxury vacation package. Maldives. A high-end resort.

For three people.

His brows furrowed. "What’s this?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with skepticism.

Lydia folded her arms and gave a knowing smile. "It’s a little getaway," she said smoothly. "For us."

Evander’s grip on the paper tightened slightly. "Us?" he repeated, his voice sharp. His gaze lifted to hers, dark and unreadable.

Lydia nodded, completely unfazed. "Yes, you, me, and Ashton. It would be private, just the way you like it. No press, no unwanted guests. Just us, as a family." She took a step closer, lowering her voice as if trying to make it sound enticing. "Ashton should have time with his real parents."

Evander’s entire body went rigid. He exhaled slowly, staring at her as though she had just spoken in a language he couldn’t comprehend. The coldness in his gaze was like steel sharpening against stone.

"Tell me I heard that wrong," he said, his voice low, almost dangerous. "Tell me you didn’t just say that."

Lydia raised a perfectly arched brow. "Why? It’s true, isn’t it? Delphinia is not his real mother."

The moment those words left her lips, Evander’s jaw clenched. His fingers curled into a fist around the paper, crumpling it slightly.

"You certainly have the audacity," he said, his voice carrying the sharp bite of restrained anger. "To speak about real parents when you were the one who abandoned her newborn child years ago."

Lydia’s lips parted slightly, but she quickly masked her reaction with a small smirk. "I had my reasons and are we really going to talk about that again?"

"Oh, I’m sure you did," Evander said mockingly. "And now, years later, you think you can just waltz back in and decide what’s best for Ashton?"

Lydia let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Evander, I’m not the villain here. I’m simply thinking about Ashton’s well-being. He deserves to know his true family."

Evander exhaled slowly, barely restraining the irritation bubbling beneath his calm exterior. The audacity of this woman was truly unbeatable. Standing there, speaking as if she had any right to decide what was best for Ashton—as if the years she had been absent meant nothing.

He should have stopped Delphinia from inviting her. Hell...

Evander took a step forward, his height looming over her. "And what does that make Delphinia, then?" he demanded. "A placeholder? A substitute?"

Lydia tilted her head, her eyes gleaming. "Isn’t she?" she said softly.

The silence that followed was heavy. Evander’s stare was piercing, his breathing controlled but tense. The muscles in his jaw twitched as he processed her words.

Then, unexpectedly, he let out a low chuckle.

Lydia frowned slightly. "What’s so funny?"

Evander’s lips curved into a smirk. "I was just wondering," he mused, his voice deceptively light, "why my lovely wife has been standing there all this time, listening, yet hasn’t given her thoughts on this."

Lydia blinked, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What?"

Evander turned his gaze toward the heavy velvet curtain that led back to the ballroom.

And then, as if on cue, Delphinia stepped out from behind it.

Evander’s lips curled into a rare, genuine smile—one that softened his usually sharp features. His dark eyes gleamed as he extended his arm toward her, his fingers slightly curled in invitation. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Yes, my wife," he said, his voice warm and sure. "Come here."

Lydia’s eyes darted between them, but Evander didn’t spare her a glance. His focus was solely on Delphinia.