chapter 1

Lyra

The world always felt colder when you had nowhere to go.

I stood at the gates of Willow Creek orphanage, the only place I'd ever called home, with nothing but a small duffle bag slung over my shoulder.

The rusty iron gate groaned behind me as I closed, sealing me off a life that was never really mine to begin with.

"Good luck out there, Lyra," Mrs. Alder's voice echoed from the doorway. her tone was flat, indifferent, like she was reading off a script she'd rehearsed too many times.

I didn't bother responding. what was there to say?

The sky was dull gray, heavy with clouds, and the air smelled like rain. perfect. the world was ready to spit me out, and the weather wanted to match the mood.

I tightened my grip on the bag. inside were a few secondhand clothes, a worn out book I couldn't let go of, and a crumpled envelope.

my only attempt to trace the past. it was addressed to no one. no return address. just my name scarwled in shaky handwriting.

But it didn't matter.

I was on my own now.

I started walking, the sound of my books crunching against the gravel path. I didn't have a plane. no friends to crash with. no distant relatives to call.

the city loomed in the distance, it's skyline dark and cold. it wasn't welcoming, but it was something. maybe I could get a job.

maybe I could survive.

maybe.

A sleek black car was parked across the street. strange. No one ever came around here unless they had a reason.

I ignored it. kept walking

but the car didn't ignore me.

the engine purred to life, and before I could register it, the car glided forward, crawling beside me.

I stopped..

The window rolled down slowly and a man in a Sharp black suit leaned out. his face was unreadable, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses even though the sun barely existed today.

"Lyra," he said flatly. it wasn't a question.

I froze " who's asking?"

The man didn't answer. he just opened the back door.

another man stepped out. older with silver streaks in his dark hair and presence that seemed too large for the street. he was dressed in a tailored suit , the kind that screamed "Money"

but it was his eyes that held me in place, calm but calculating.

"Lyra" he said, smoother than the first man. "it's time to come home."

Home?

my stomach twisted " I think you've got the wrong person."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "No we don't "

Every instinct in me screamed to run. But I didn't move. maybe it was curiosity. maybe it was the cold, biting deeper than usual or maybe it was the way his words felt. final.

"who are you?" I asked, my voice barely steady

"Gabriel Richelieu."

The name hit me like a slap. i wasn't completely ignorant. Even someone like me knew that name.

The Richelieu family wasn't just rich, they were untouchable. owning corporations, properties and probably people.

Rumors said they had more power than politicians.

and he was standing here, claiming I belonged to them.

"You must be mistaken."

Gabriel's smile didn't waver. " mistakes aren't something we make."

I took a shaky breath. "why would a family like yours come looking for me?"

He glanced at the man beside him, then back at me."we can discuss that somewhere more comfortable"

The car door reminded open.

This was insane. Completely insane.

But if they wanted to hurt me, they wouldn't be offering a ride in a luxury car in broad daylight.

I bit my lips, eyes darting between Gabriel and the endless road ahead ahead. alone and I had nowhere.

with them I didn't know.

But curiosity was stronger than fear.

slowly, I stepped forward.

Gabriel moved aside, letting me side into the plush leather seat. the car door clicked shut locking me In

I stared at the back of Gabriel's head. "where we are we going ?"

"home " he said smoothly.

I pressed my fingers against the cold window, watching the road disappear behind me.

whatever home meant, I had a feeling if wasn't anything I was ready for.

we drove through the city, past places I could never afford to step into. the building got taller, shinier, and the streets cleaner.

Eventually, the car slowed as iron gates swung open to reveal something out of a movie a Mansion so massive it looked like its own kingdom.

The Richelieu estate.

I swallowed hard.

As the car pulled to a stop, servants in black uniform lined the steps , heads bowed.

Gabriel stepped out first, adjusting his cufflinks like he hadn't just picked me off the street.

I followed slowly, feeling small in this world of stone and glass.

"come " he ordered softly.

I followed him inside.

the air smelled of polished wood and expensive cologne. Chandeliers dripped crystal from the celling. Every steps echoed.

The a woman appeared. tall, poised, and terrifyingly elegant. Her heels clicked against the marble as she approached

"Lyra," she said coolly, eyes raking over me like I was dirt on the floor. "so this is the girl."

Gabriel's expression didn't change. " Lyra, this is Victoria Richelieu."

Victoria. his wife , my mother, I assumed.

Her lips barely moved. " we'll need to clean her up before tonight."

"Tonight?" I asked.

Gabriel smiled faintly. "we're throwing a party. to celebrate your return."

I blinked. "celebrate what?"

Victoria didn't bother explaining. she simply turned on her heel.

Gabriel's eyes met mine. " you'll understand soon enough.".

I stood frozen as servants behan ushering me away.

and for the first time, I wondered if I'd made a mistake getting into that car

because in this house of wealth, I wasn't sure if I was a guest...

or a prisoner.

but I hope this goes well, I hope This is a blessing from God for hearing my cries..

or it's just me going through problems that I might not be able to handle.