My ex-husband’s nightmare (Lydia and Mason) novel Chapter 181

**TITLE: Worst Fear 181**

“You had the audacity to come here after pushing my daughter?” His voice sliced through the air, echoing off the sterile walls of the hospital corridor. Lydia, who had been oblivious to my presence until that moment, recoiled slightly, brushing against my chest as if seeking refuge. Her eyes widened in surprise, and as she turned abruptly, she nearly lost her balance. My heart raced, and instinctively, my hands shot out to steady her. A soft tremor escaped her lips, betraying her composure. “Mason,” she breathed, her eyes lighting up with recognition and relief. I grasped her shoulders firmly, anchoring her in the storm of emotions swirling around us, yet the quiver in her voice revealed the vulnerability she was trying to mask. “You planned this, right?” Mr. Everett’s accusatory tone shattered the moment, silencing any words I might have uttered.

I shifted my grip from Lydia’s shoulders to her wrist, positioning myself protectively in front of her, shielding her from the fury radiating off the man who stood before us, his face flushed with anger.

His jaw clenched tightly, the muscles in his neck taut as he struggled to contain his rage. He attempted to peer over my shoulder, but his height—standing at a mere five feet seven inches—hampered his efforts, making him appear even more ridiculous in his fury.

“Did you come here to mock my daughter?” His voice was sharp, each word laced with venom.

“We’re concerned about her,” I replied, but my words seemed to vanish into the ether, unheard and unacknowledged.

He wagged a finger at me, his anger palpable. “And you expected gratitude for that? She pushed her!” He pointed an accusatory finger at Lydia, as if she were the source of all his problems.

“That hasn’t been proven yet,” I countered, my voice steady, though my heart raced with indignation.

“So what? She’s a criminal,” he retorted, his eyes narrowing as he continued, “a woman with a criminal record shouldn’t even be—”

“I suggest you refrain from finishing that statement.” My voice remained calm, a stark contrast to the boiling anger simmering within me.

He pressed his lips together, his face reddening further. “If you have any respect for me, for my daughter, or for the time we’ve spent together as business partners, you will not take her side.”

I clenched my teeth, stepping forward, and he instinctively stepped back, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “And if you have any respect for me, you won’t point your finger at my woman.” The atmosphere shifted, thick with tension.

“You’re a smart man. What would people say about you making accusations without evidence?” The words seemed to ignite a fire within him. His gaze darted to Lydia, and I could see the gears turning in his mind.

“I see,” he said, straightening up, his tone dripping with accusation. “You are involved in this… whatever this is with her.” The insinuation hung heavy in the air, a thinly veiled attack on my character. It was infuriating that he would suspect the very people who ensured his daughter received care and was alive.

“Leave.” The single word he uttered carried a weight that felt almost tangible.

—

**10:39 Thu, Nov 27 G**

**Chapter 181**

Lydia intertwined her fingers with mine, her eyes wide as she observed the escalating confrontation. “Can you at least tell us how she—”

“No! Get out! Now!” Mr. Everett’s voice thundered, leaving Lydia visibly shaken. I felt anger flare within me, and I couldn’t contain my frustration. “Raise your voice at her again, and I swear I’ll—”

“I’m fine,” Lydia interjected, placing a calming hand on my arm, attempting to soothe the storm brewing inside me.

“Let’s go,” I insisted, my voice firm.

“But I came to see her,” Lydia protested, her determination shining through despite the tension. “I know he sounds irritated right now, but it will pass.”

“You don’t know this man,” I replied, my voice low and urgent.

My gaze swept the hallway, taking in the stark white walls and the harsh scent of antiseptic that lingered in the air, making the lunch I had eaten feel heavy in my stomach. There were two other rooms lining the corridor, both eerily empty, amplifying the sense of isolation.

“He won’t allow you to see her,” I said softly, my heart aching for her. “We have to leave.”

Lydia’s shoulders sagged in resignation, but despite his harsh words, she maintained a certain gentleness towards him. “I’ll just give him this quickly,” she insisted, and before I could react, she slipped past me.

That was when I noticed the basket of fruits she had been carrying, a thoughtful gesture that now felt out of place.

She halted a few feet from him, gripping the basket tightly before slowly lowering it to the floor. “I couldn’t come empty-handed,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension.

With a swift kick, Mr. Everett sent the basket tumbling, the fruits scattering in all directions like a chaotic explosion. “Take your poison away from here; we don’t need it.”

I shot him a glare, my anger boiling beneath the surface, but I knew I had to maintain my composure.

Without waiting for Lydia to voice her objections, I took her hand firmly and led her away.

We didn’t look back as we walked straight out of the hospital, the weight of the moment heavy on our shoulders.

“I’m sorry you had to endure that. He hates you because of me,” I murmured, slowing my pace to match hers, aware of the strength she was trying to project.

“It’s fine. I kind of expected it,” she brushed it off, her tone surprisingly light. “Mom told me he wouldn’t be happy to see me and that I shouldn’t come, but here I am anyway.”

The cool breeze from the air conditioner circulated around us, but it did little to alleviate the heat of the moment, as beads of sweat trickled down the side of Lydia’s face.

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