Angela POVThe door clicked shut behind James, and the room felt even emptier and colder. His threats echoed in my mind like a taunting whisper, refusing to die down. "I’ll spill everything… every dirty little secret." The words replayed in my head, hitting like a sledgehammer. It wasn’t the first time he’d dangled my secrets over my head. But something about today felt different, darker. I paced the floor, trying to ignore the pit forming in my stomach. But my thoughts kept circling back to that one piece of truth I’d buried long ago. The truth I never wanted Lyra to know. My hand drifted to my abdomen, and I froze. An image from years ago flashed before me, sitting alone in a sterile room, the walls a sickening shade of white. The chill of the cold metal table beneath me as I lay there, my heart pounding in my chest. I’d done it to protect myself, to protect my future. But now, all that sacrifice felt useless. James, of all people, was ready to use it against me.A wave of anger w
Lyra POVI took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Alice's house. Every step I’d taken here was fueled by confusion and disbelief. Alice, James’s sister, had called me out of nowhere with a message that “urgency” didn’t even begin to describe.The door swung open almost immediately, and Alice stood there, looking like a cat who’d just caught the canary.“Come in, Lyra,” she said, motioning me inside with that ever-present smirk.I followed her, my stomach churning as we stepped into the dimly lit living room. I took a seat on the couch, nerves stretching thin. The room felt cold and ominous, as though every piece of furniture had been placed deliberately to unsettle me.“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Alice began, her voice smooth as silk. “I thought it was best you heard this from me directly.”“Hear what?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. I wasn’t in the mood for games, not after everything I’d been through with Angela, Kurtis, and now, James.Alice didn’t answe
Lyra's POVI left Angela in that stairwell, my heart twisting with anger, hurt, and betrayal. I wanted to scream, to run, to make sense of everything, but the only place that felt safe right now was with Kurtis. I needed him. I needed to feel his arms around me, his steady strength, his unwavering love. Without thinking, I found myself outside his house, breathless, pounding on his door.The door opened, and there he was. Those familiar dark eyes softened the moment he saw me, but they were quickly replaced with concern. “Baby girl? What’s going on?” His voice was a low murmur, soothing and steady, exactly what I needed but couldn’t admit.I didn’t answer him. Words felt too heavy, too painful. Instead, I grabbed his collar, pulling him close. I crushed my mouth to him, pouring everything I couldn’t say into that kiss. The hurt, the betrayal, the frustration, I wanted to lose myself in him, to feel nothing but this moment.Kurtis’s arms wrapped around me instinctively, pulling me aga
Lyra's POVI wouldn’t hold myself anymore. I ran out to the house, my heart pounding, feet barely touching the ground as I raced toward the church. It was late, so late that the moon was high and cold, casting pale light across the empty streets. But I didn’t care. I just needed to get to the only place that felt like I could fall apart without the eyes of everyone watching, without the crushing weight of their expectations on my shoulders.As soon as I stepped through the grand doors, a deep, breathless calm swept over me. The world outside was loud, relentless, suffocating. But here, in this dim, quiet sanctuary, I could finally breathe, or at least try to. The flickering candles painted gentle, golden light across the stone walls, the quiet only broken by the sound of my footsteps echoing against the tiles.My knees hit the cold, hard ground beneath the altar, my hands clasping tightly together, fingers digging into each other until my knuckles went white. My breaths were shaky, ra
Kurtis POVI was in the middle of a meeting when my phone buzzed. I glanced down and saw Lyra’s name. My heart skipped, like it always did when she called. It was impossible not to smile, but something in me noticed the tone in her message: “We need to talk.”It was just four words, but they left a strange, hollow feeling in my chest. I wrapped up the meeting quickly, calling her back the moment I stepped out. “Lyra,” I said, my voice soft but full of anticipation. “What’s up, babe?”There was a pause, one that went on too long, filling me with dread. “Kurtis,” she said, her voice soft, almost fragile. “I need to see you. Can we meet?”My heart pounded. “Of course. You okay?”“Yes, I… I’ll explain everything in person. Just meet me at the cafe.” —I got there before her, grabbing a table in the corner. My mind was a mess of possibilities, none of them good. The waitress brought over a coffee, but my hands were shaking too much to lift it. It felt like an eternity before I saw her w
Two weeks had passed since I had told Kurtis to stay away from me, and the ache in my heart only grew heavier with each passing day. I thought about him constantly, replaying our last moments together, where everything felt so right until reality shattered it all. The weight of my decision to marry someone else was suffocating, a constant reminder of what I was leaving behind.It was a Friday night, and I found myself at a dinner party with Ella and a group of friends. Laughter filled the air, and music pulsed through the room, but it did little to lift my spirits. I sipped on my drink, trying to immerse myself in the festivities, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Kurtis. I wondered how he was handling everything, if he was still angry with me, or if he missed me too.“Lyra, come on! Let’s dance!” Ella tugged at my arm, her eyes sparkling with excitement.“Okay, okay!” I smiled, trying to match her enthusiasm as we made our way to the dance floor. As I swayed to the music, I caugh
Lyra's POV The morning light seemed cruel, casting everything in sharp clarity, making the reality of last night pierce even deeper. Kurtis’s words echoed in my mind, his gaze, the way he almost kissed me, only to pull back as if something unspoken was holding him back. My heart twisted, and I forced myself to sip my coffee, even as my stomach churned with regret and frustration.Ella stormed into the room, not bothering to knock, her eyes narrowed as she looked me over.“Are you even going to tell me what happened last night?” she demanded, arms crossed tightly over her chest. “I can’t take this silent brooding anymore, Lyra. Either spill or I’m dragging it out of you!”I bit my lip, fighting the heat rising in my cheeks. “Ella, please... it’s complicated.”“Complicated?!” she huffed, rolling her eyes. “What’s complicated is you pretending you don’t want him when you’re practically dying for him. Just say it, Lyra, what happened?”I shook my head, but the words were already pouring
Kurtis’s POVThe phone buzzed, lighting up with her name. My heart took off like it had been waiting, hoping, for this exact moment. Lyra was calling me. The anticipation practically jolted me from the couch, and my hands shook slightly as I answered, trying to sound calm.“Kurtis,” she breathed, and that one word held a weight that only she could give. “Yes?” I kept my voice steady, but inside, my heart was pounding. “What’s going on, Lyra?”“I... I need to see you,” she said, the hesitation laced with something more. “Tonight. At the Lucerne Hotel restaurant.”I could barely contain my excitement, feeling like every second leading to tonight was both agonizing and electrifying. I didn’t know why she wanted to see me, but the way she sounded gave me hope. Something had changed, something big.I spent the next hour trying to decide what to wear, not that it mattered to her – at least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I settled on a dark, tailored suit, the one I knew she liked, and
Lyra’s POV The day had finally arrived: my wedding day. The world outside seemed to know it was special, too. The sky was a canvas of soft blues and wispy white clouds, with the sun gently warming the seaside breeze. Every detail of the morning felt surreal, like I was walking through a dream I never wanted to wake up from. In my bridal suite, the air buzzed with excitement. Sophie, my bridesmaid and Angela’s closest friend, was helping me into my wedding dress. The dress was everything I’d imagined, sleek and elegant with delicate lace running down the sleeves and tiny pearls dotting the bodice. The train cascaded behind me like a flowing river of ivory silk. As Sophie zipped the back, I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. For a moment, I didn’t recognize myself. “You look stunning, Lyra,” Sophie said, stepping back to admire me. Her voice was thick with emotion. I turned to her, my own heart brimming. “Do you think Kurtis will like it?” Sophie laughed. “Like i
Lyra's POV The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee drifting up to my room. For a moment, I stayed under the covers, savoring the warmth of my bed and the quiet anticipation that filled the air. Tomorrow, I would become Mrs. Lyra Hartley. The thought sent a flutter of excitement and nerves through me. Finally, curiosity got the better of me, and I padded downstairs, barefoot, my robe loosely tied. In the kitchen, I found Angela standing by the counter, a steaming mug in her hands. Her back was to me, and she seemed lost in thought. “Good morning,” I said, stepping closer, my voice soft so as not to startle her. Angela jumped slightly but quickly recovered, turning around with a faint smile. “Good morning. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just... couldn’t sleep.” I reached for a mug and poured myself some coffee, the rich aroma wrapping around me like a comforting hug. “You didn’t wake me,” I assured her. “But you being up this early is definitely unusual. What’s on your
Lyra’s POVThe morning light streamed through my bedroom window, painting everything in soft gold. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Kurtis’s name flashing on the screen. “Good morning, baby girl,” his deep voice greeted me. “Good morning,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest. Even after everything we’d been through, his voice still had that effect on me. “How did you sleep?” he asked. “Better than I have in weeks,” I admitted. “Knowing Alice is finally in custody helps.” There was a pause, and then he chuckled. “I knew that would ease your mind. But listen, we have something more important to focus on now—our wedding.” My heart soared. “You’re right. No more delays.” “Exactly. Can you meet me at the venue later today? I’ve already called a decorator and the caterer to start discussing ideas.” “Of course,” I said, excitement bubbling up. “What time?” “Around two. I’ll text you
Kurtis’s POVThe morning after James was arrested, I woke up feeling lighter, yet there was still a lingering weight on my chest. Alice. She was the real puppet master, the mastermind behind James’s schemes. If I let my guard down now, it could all be for nothing. I sat at the edge of the bed, watching Lyra sleep. Her face was serene, untouched by the chaos that constantly tried to invade our lives. I wanted to keep it that way. Standing up, I grabbed my phone and dialed Detective Harper. “Harper,” her voice was sharp and awake despite the early hour. “We’ve got to move on Alice,” I said, my tone firm. “If she gets wind of James’s arrest, she’ll bolt. We need to act now.” There was a pause on the other end of the line before Harper responded. “Agreed. Do you have anything concrete on her yet?” “Not enough to keep her locked up for long,” I admitted. “But James’s arrest is going to shake her. If we can catch her making a move, we’ll have something to work with.” “I’ll dispa
Kurtis’s POVI was still seeing the the moment the handcuffs clicked around James’s wrists, playing in my eye, how I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It wasn’t just about justice, it was about keeping Lyra safe, about making sure that maniac wouldn’t come anywhere near her again. As the officers led him out, his defiance hadn’t wavered. “This isn’t over, Kurtis,” James hissed, his eyes filled with venom. “You think taking me down changes anything? You have no idea what you’re up against.” His voice echoed back in my ear.I didn’t respond. He could spit all the poison he wanted; his threats didn’t matter anymore. His reign of terror had ended the moment those cuffs locked into place. Once the police cars disappeared into the night, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Detective Harper walked up to me, her expression grim but satisfied. “You did good tonight, Kurtis,” she told me.“I just did what needed to be done,” I replied, glancing at the warehouse where
Kurtis’s POVJames was a menace, a shadow that loomed over Lyra and Angela's lives for far too long. As I stood by the window of my penthouse suite, staring at the city lights below, the thought of letting him roam free even for another day was unbearable. Lyra’s safety wasn’t just a responsibility, it was personal. “I’m not waiting for him to make his next move,” I said, turning to Detective Harper on the other end of the phone. Harper’s voice was professional but tinged with determination. “We need solid evidence to make the arrest stick, Kurtis. What you’ve given us so far is compelling, but I need more to ensure he doesn’t wriggle out on a technicality.” I clenched my fist. “Then you’ll have it. I’ll send over every document, every email, every recording we’ve compiled so far. And I’ll make sure he has no place to run.” After hanging up, I paced the room, my mind racing. James was clever, but arrogance was his fatal flaw. He never imagined I’d play the long game, collectin
Lyra's POV Later that evening, as the hospital quieted down, I sat by Angela’s bedside, my mind a storm of thoughts. The air felt heavy, not just from the day’s events but from something I’d been holding back, something I needed answers to. I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to bring it up. Angela’s eyelids were drooping, but I knew she wasn’t asleep yet. “Angela,” I said softly, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “I need to ask you something… and I need you to be honest with me.” Her eyes fluttered open, and she turned her head slightly to look at me. “Of course. What is it?” “It’s about James.” At the mention of his name, her expression shifted, a flicker of guilt flashing across her face. She didn’t say anything, so I pressed on. “You’ve been around him more than I have lately. You must know something about his intentions. What’s he planning, Angela? What does he want from me?” Angela hesitated, biting her lower lip. “Lyra… I don’t know if” “Do
Lyra’s POVThe cold, sterile smell of the hospital hit me the moment I stepped inside. My heart was pounding so hard it drowned out every other sound—the murmur of voices, the beep of monitors, the shuffling of feet. Angela. Critical condition. The nurse’s words rang in my ears as I approached the counter, my voice trembling as I asked, “Angela… Angela Hayes. Where is she?” The receptionist barely glanced up, typing away on her computer. “Room 115. Down the hall, second door on your left.” I didn’t wait for her to finish. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, rushing down the hallway, my breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. My legs felt like jelly, but I pushed forward, ignoring the ache. When I reached the door marked *115,* I paused, my hand hovering over the handle. I wasn’t ready to see her like this—to see my sister, my twin, lying broken and vulnerable. But I had to. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my breath catching in my throat at the sight be
Angela’s POV The door slammed behind me as I left Lyra’s house, but the sound didn’t drown out the storm in my head. The cold evening air wrapped around me like a punishment, but it was nothing compared to the icy distance Lyra had put between us. I climbed into my car, letting the silence close in, but the quiet only gave space for my thoughts to scream louder. My hands clutched the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I sat there, reliving every moment of the last hour. I had gone there to apologize, to mend the bridge I had set on fire. Instead, I’d been met with something far worse than anger, indifference. When she opened the door, her face was unreadable. For a moment, I thought she might slam it shut again, but she stepped aside, her cold eyes fixed on me. “What do you want, Angela?” she asked, her voice void of emotion. My heart had twisted at her tone, but I forced myself to speak. “I came to say I’m sorry, Lyra. I know I’ve been… awful. I know I’v