CHAPTER 5

Lydia wants a divorce?”

Williams stared at the papers in his mother's hands, then let out a short laugh. The sound was sharp and careless, but his fingers had tightened around the edge of the coffee table.

“She cannot be serious,” he said, taking the petition from Matilda. “I know exactly what she's doing. She wants attention. She expects me to panic, go running after her, and beg her to come home.”

Matilda did not share his amusement. She tapped the signature with one red fingernail. “This is not a love letter, Williams. She has signed it.”

Matilda's gaze returned to the petition. “How on earth did you not think this reveal through before going ahead with it, William. She wouldn't have known about the baby.”

Williams's mouth tightened. “She didn't know anything until I told her.”

“And you told her after the baby was born?” Matilda asked. “You should have kept quiet until we had everything settled.”

“I thought she would accept it once she saw the baby was healthy.”

Clara shook her head. “She looked at me as if she wanted to tear me apart. I was trying to give my son a family.”

“Don't upset yourself,” Matilda said, reaching for her hand. “Focus on the child. Let Williams handle Lydia.”

Williams glanced at the cot. Clara lifted the baby and rocked him until he settled. The sight should have pleased Williams, but the divorce papers held his gaze.

He had expected Lydia to cry, threaten to leave, then return when she realised she had nowhere to go. He had not expected a signed petition, or for her to send it to his mother.

“Whatever she thinks she can do, I will stop it,” he said.

Matilda studied him. “Make sure you do. The gala cannot become a place where we answer questions about our lives.”

“I understand,” he replied, opening his contacts.

“So?” He tossed the papers onto the table. “She has been emotional since the delivery. Give her a few days. She will calm down.”

Matilda turned to her son. “How did she leave the hospital without telling anyone? The hospital was supposed to inform us before she was discharged. And how did she send this parcel? She could not have arranged all this from her bed.”

“Maybe she had someone helping her.”

Clara shifted the baby closer to her chest. “We should not treat this lightly.” Her voice was soft, but she watched Williams carefully. “Lydia knows what happened. If she tells the wrong person, or speaks to the press, she could cause trouble for all of us.”

Matilda's face tightened. “The gala is next week.”

Williams looked at her. “I know.”

“Do you?” Matilda asked, leaning forward. “The board members, investors, and guests from overseas will be there. The press will be watching every move we make. If this story gets out before the gala, people will ask questions. They will want to know why a married woman was made to carry another woman's child without being told. They will not care about our reasons. They will only see a scandal.”

Clara lowered her eyes. “I never wanted to hurt the family.”

Matilda reached over and patted her knee. “You did what you had to do. Don't blame yourself.”

Williams gave a firm nod. “Nothing is going to happen to this family or the company. Dad built the Osborne Group from nothing. And brother spent years helping him grow it. I will not stand by and let their work be ruined because Lydia has decided to act like an emotional fool.”

“Then you need to find her,” Clara said.

“I will.”

“Before she speaks to anyone,” Matilda added. “We cannot afford to wait.”

Clara placed the baby in the padded cot beside her and picked up her phone. “There is something I want to show you.”

Williams glanced at her. “What is it?”

“It's a thank-you gift.” She unlocked the screen and opened an email. “For everything you've done for me and the baby.”

Williams took the phone from her. An invitation filled the screen, carrying the name of the Lambert Group in bold letters. His brows drew together as he read the message.

“An executive partnership invitation?” he asked.

Clara nodded, unable to hide her smile. “They want to discuss a partnership with me. Their team contacted my office this morning. They said they have been following my family's business work and want me involved in a new project.”

Matilda's eyes widened. “The lambert Group?”

Clara nodded. “They're one of the biggest business groups in America, with companies and partners across several countries. The invitation says they want to meet before the end of the month.”

Matilda rose from her seat and pulled Clara into a careful hug. “You clever girl! Do you understand what this could mean? An opening like this could put the Osborne family in a much stronger position.”

Clara smiled against her shoulder. “I thought it would make you happy.”

“It does,” Matilda said, holding her for another moment. “You have given us so much already.”

Williams returned the phone to Clara. For the first time since opening the envelope, his face relaxed. “This is good news. Thank you, Clara. I know you have worked hard to make this happen.”

“I wanted to do something for you,” she replied, lowering her eyes. “You've stood by me when I had no one.”

Matilda looked between them with clear approval. “We should celebrate this properly. When the partnership is confirmed, we will make an announcement at the gala.”

He took out his phone and moved away from the sofa. After finding a number, he pressed call and waited. The moment the other person answered, he opened the photograph of Lydia that had been saved in his gallery.

“I need you to do something for me,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I'm sending you a photograph now. Find the woman in it and get me her current location.”

He sent the picture.

“Her name is Lydia,” he continued. “Check the places she might have gone, speak to anyone who can help, and report back as soon as you find her. I want her location, not guesses.”

He listened for a moment, then ended the call.

Matilda had been watching him. “What are you planning to do?”

Williams slipped the phone into his pocket. “Find her before she makes this worse.”

“And when you do?” Clara asked. She kept her voice gentle, but her arms tightened around the baby.

“I will speak to her.”

Matilda gave him a doubtful look. “You think talking will be enough after she sent those papers?”

“It has always been enough.” William picked up the divorce petition again and folded it once. “She is angry. She wants to frighten us. Once I explain things, she will understand that making this public would hurt her too.”

Clara lowered her face to the child, hiding her reaction. She did not want Lydia brought back into the house, but she wanted the problem settled before the gala. If William could make Lydia withdraw the papers and keep quiet, Clara would have the time she needed to secure her place in the family.

William looked at his mother. “We cannot afford a stain on the company or the Osborne name. Dad and brother built too much for me to let one foolish decision destroy it. I will get to Lydia before she does anything stupid.”