Help My Tycoon Husband Refuses To Divorce novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Don’t Cry

Selene descended the stairs, her heart still unsettled, but Soren was nowhere to be seen.

She almost stopped to question his absence, but Lazarus Quinn was her priority.

Without another thought, she climbed into Caspian’s jeep, the army green vehicle roaring to life as it sped toward the military hospital.

During the drive, she frantically dialed her grandfather’s number, each unanswered ring tightening the grip of fear around her chest.

“Pick up, Grandpa… please, just pick up…”

But there was no answer.

Her breathing hitched, panic threatening to overtake her.

Then—

A hand covered hers.

Steady. Warm. Reassuring.

Selene looked over in surprise.

Caspian was driving with one hand, his gaze fixed ahead, but his grip on her fingers was firm, grounding her.

His features, so often etched with hardness, were unusually gentle.

She watched him for a long moment, her emotions wavering.

How many times had she fallen for this Kai Lysandere feeling?

His ability to calm her, to hold her together when she was about to break.

“Selene, don’t cry.“

His deep voice cut through the silence, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She instinctively touched her face, startled to find it dry.

A flicker of defiance sparked in her eyes. “I’m not crying.“

Caspian glanced at her briefly, as if assessing the truth of her words.

“You’re about to,” he muttered. “I’m just giving you a heads-up.”

A Loss That Came Too Soon

Caspian’s jeep pulled into the military compound, stopping just short of the hospital entrance.

Selene jumped out immediately, not waiting for him to park.

Her steps quickened as she neared Lazarus’s room.

But before she could reach the door—

The sound of crying met her ears.

A wave of dread slammed into her, nearly making her knees buckle.

She gripped the wall, forcing herself to stand.

“Ms. Carter—“

A familiar voice pulled her from the haze.

Elowen Seraphine, her grandfather’s long-time maid, hurried over, her face wet with tears.

Selene’s own eyes burned immediately. No. No, no, no.

“Elowen…” Selene’s voice shook. “Grandpa’s okay, right? He’s waiting for me, right?”

Elowen’s lip trembled. She grasped Selene’s arm tightly, as if trying to anchor her.

“Ms. Carter, your grandfather… he—”

Elowen couldn’t finish.

The grief in her expression was enough.

Selene whirled toward the door, her heart pounding.

She had to see him. She had to—

But before she could move—

The door opened.

And standing there was Zephyr Calloway.

Her father.

His face was unreadable, but the second his eyes landed on her, disappointment flickered across his features.

“Why are you so late?” His voice was cold, unforgiving. “Were you out fooling around again?”

Selene froze.

Any other day, she would have snapped back. Argued. Fought.

But not today.

She shook her head, trying to push past him.

But Zephyr blocked her path.

“Too late.” His voice was flat, emotionless.

Her stomach dropped.

“He’s gone.”

The words hit like a gunshot to the chest.

No. No, that’s not possible.

“I want to see him!” Selene tried to push past Zephyr, but before she could—