I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father-Chapter 309: Is She Your Girlfriend

The courthouse steps still echoed in Lyse’s ears when she finally slid into the backseat of the waiting car. The bail decision had been a dizzying spiral, slight relief when conditional release was granted, even though she had hoped that Ophelia would remain in custody, and a sharp stab of fear every time her name was spoken aloud.

Lyse wrapped her arms tightly around herself, as though she could physically hold in the unease rising in her chest.

Despite the technical victory, the world did not feel safer.

Her pulse fluttered unevenly, anxiety humming beneath her skin like static. Even the air felt heavier somehow.

The door beside her opened, and Levi slid into the seat. His presence shifted the atmosphere immediately, steadier, warmer but not enough to quiet the tremor in her bones.

"You okay?" he asked gently.

Lyse exhaled slowly into her palms before lowering them. "It’s just..." She shook her head faintly. "Hearing the judge say bail was granted, and then house arrest... it’s like relief and panic fighting each other."

"It means she’s contained," Levi said, his tone calm, measured. He reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers.

Lyse turned to look at him. Her green eyes were soft, but tension still lingered there.

"I know," she said quietly. "But she tried to kill us. Seeing her walk out of that courtroom even with restrictions, it didn’t feel like justice."

Levi squeezed her hand firmly.

"You’re safe with me," he murmured, meeting her gaze without hesitation. "The legal process might take time. But justice will come."

There was no arrogance in his words. No courtroom bravado. Just quiet conviction.

And in that moment, that mattered.

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "How about we go somewhere nice tonight?"

Lyse blinked.

"Just dinner," he continued with a small, hopeful smile. "No talk of trials. No headlines. Just hang out

"A date?" she echoed, faint surprise coloring her tone.

"Yes." He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You deserve something normal. Something peaceful."

She hesitated.

Part of her was still braced for disaster. Still expecting something else to go wrong.

But then she looked at Levi, really looked at him.

His eyes were warm. Steady. Present.

Slowly, she nodded.

"Okay," she whispered. "Dinner."

They chose a quiet bistro just a few streets from the courthouse. It was small and warmly lit, the kind of place that relied on candlelight and soft music rather than grandeur. Linen tablecloths. Gentle instrumental melodies drifting through the air. The soft murmur of conversation.

It wasn’t extravagant.

It was intimate.

And that was exactly what Levi wanted.

Lyse watched him pull out her chair before taking his seat opposite her. The waiter poured water with quiet efficiency. The soft clink of glass against glass felt almost therapeutic after the harsh echo of courtroom proceedings.

Levi raised his glass slightly.

"To surviving another day," he said.

Lyse allowed a small smile to surface. She lifted hers in return.

"To surviving," she echoed, taking a careful sip.

For a fleeting moment, serenity settled over her.

The courtroom. The accusations. Ophelia’s calculated stare. It all seemed far away under the amber glow of candlelight.

She began to breathe easier.

And then chaos walked in.

The front door of the bistro opened sharply enough to draw attention. A woman stood at the entrance, her eyes scanning the room with intensity.

Lyse didn’t know why her stomach dropped.

Then she felt Levi’s hand tighten around hers.

The woman spotted them.

Her expression changed instantly, satisfaction flashing across her face as she strode forward with dramatic purpose.

Conversations around them quieted as she approached their table.

When she stopped directly beside Levi, she pointed at him without hesitation.

"There he is!" she declared loudly. "My boyfriend!"

The entire restaurant seemed to inhale at once.

Levi stared up at her, stunned.

Lyse froze, her brain struggling to process the scene unfolding in front of her.

The woman crossed her arms, chin lifted smugly. "I’ve been trying to reach you all week."

Levi recovered first.

"Excuse me?" His voice was calm but rigid.

"Oh, don’t act innocent," she snapped. "Boyfriend, lover whatever label you want. We agreed months ago. You promised dinner tonight."

Lyse blinked slowly.

She studied Levi’s face.

There was no flicker of recognition. No secretive guilt. No awkward familiarity.

Only confusion.

"Levi... is she...?" Lyse began carefully.

A small sting of jealousy pricked at her but she immediately suppressed it. Levi was helping her. Supporting her. She had no claim over him.

Even if it hurt to think that way.

Levi turned to her immediately. "No. I have no idea who she is."

The woman scoffed loudly, placing a hand dramatically on her hip.

"Oh please. I have screenshots of your messages."

A ripple of murmurs spread among nearby diners.

The waiter lingered awkwardly near the table, unsure whether to intervene or pretend not to notice.

"You must be mistaken," Levi said coolly. "I haven’t sent you anything."

The woman pulled out her phone and waved it in the air. "Right here! You texted me!"

Then her eyes shifted to Lyse, sharp, venomous.

"Or is it because you’re cheating on me with that slut?"

The insult sliced through the air.

Lyse felt her mouth go dry, not from jealousy, but from disbelief.

She rose slowly from her chair, rolling her eyes.

"Enough already. The man says you’re mistaken," she said sharply. "Why do you have to insult me?"

The woman faltered briefly, clearly thrown off. She had expected outrage directed at Levi.

Instead, Lyse was confronting her.

"It’s easy for you to talk," the woman pouted. "You’re not the one who got ghosted."

Lyse clicked her tongue in irritation, her patience thinning rapidly. The courtroom anxiety, the lingering fear, the emotional exhaustion, all of it simmered beneath her skin.

"Shameless women like you just do what they want with other women’s men," the stranger continued bitterly.

"I said you better not insult me," Lyse snapped, lifting her palm instinctively.

But suddenly she felt the ground leave her feet.

A startled shriek escaped her as strong arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her effortlessly.

"Let me slap her!" Lyse shouted, twisting in Levi’s hold as he carried her toward the exit.

Heads turned. The restaurant buzzed with whispers.

Levi did not slow.

He pushed through the doors and headed straight for the waiting car, placing Lyse inside before turning sharply to the driver.

"Drive."

The car pulled away from the curb before Lyse could even steady her breathing.

She slid across the backseat, putting as much distance between herself and Levi as possible.

Her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

She glared at him.

"Why did you not let me slap her?" she demanded, pouting accusingly. "Or, is she your girlfriend?"

The tension in the car became suffocating.