Lyra’s POVThe phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Sophie’s name. She rarely called this late, so I picked up immediately, a slight edge of worry in my voice. “Hey, Sophie, what’s up?”There was a pause on the other end before she spoke, her voice low and tense. “Lyra, I… I think something’s wrong with Kurtis.”My stomach tightened. “What do you mean?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.“I haven’t seen him in a couple of days, and I’ve called, messaged… nothing. You know how he usually is—he’s never out of reach. Even if he’s busy, he’d let me know he’s okay,” she said, worry seeping into her tone.Her words made my heart race. Kurtis never disappeared like this, not without at least telling me where he’d be. “You think he’s missing?” My voice was barely a whisper, but Sophie heard me.“Honestly, Lyra, I think something’s happened. It’s just… strange.” She paused, her next words coming out slowly, as if she were piecing them together carefull
Kurtis’s POVThe room was dark and silent, a chill settling over me as I tried to pull my mind from the constant aching in my wrists. But it was useless. Every time I closed my eyes, every time I tried to distract myself, her face surfaced in my mind.Lyra.I thought about the night I met her. Back then, I thought she was Angela, only to find out later that they were sisters two halves of a world I never expected to get lost in. I’d gone to that gallery with Angela on a whim, a favor to her, only to spot this quiet beauty who moved so differently, her calmness like a steady flame. I couldn’t look away. Her eyes caught mine that night, soft but curious, and the way she looked at me made everything around us fade. I fell in love at that moment, thinking it was Angela’s warmth yet I had been looking at Lyra all along.And when I realized it was her… everything clicked. She wasn’t Angela. She was her kind of mystery, and I’d fallen deeper, hopelessly drawn to the softness I saw in her.Bu
Lyra’s POVThe hallway stretched out before me like a dark, endless tunnel, my footsteps echoing off the walls as I neared Angela’s door. My heartbeat was a drum in my chest, loud and insistent, mirroring the fury roiling inside me. This was the second time I’d come to confront her about Kurtis. She'd denied any involvement before, but my instincts told me she was lying. And I wasn’t leaving until I forced the truth out of her.I took a deep breath and knocked, the sound sharp and unyielding. After a tense few seconds, the door swung open, revealing Angela’s face. Her expression flickered with surprise, but it quickly morphed into something smug as she took me in, standing there, brimming with anger.“Lyra,” she greeted me with a saccharine tone that made my skin crawl. “Back so soon? I thought I made myself clear last time. What do you want?”I squared my shoulders, meeting her gaze with unflinching resolve. “You know exactly why I’m here, Angela. And I’m not leaving until you tell m
Angela's POV“What a mess you've made, Kurtis,” I spat, marching into the dimly lit room where he was confined. He looked up at me, defiant as ever, but I wasn’t here to play nice. Lyra’s little display at my place was the final straw.“Angela, you’d better tell me everything,” she had yelled, knocking over my favorite vase, her voice trembling with an anger I didn’t know she had in her. I could still see the broken glass and shattered flowers, littering the floor like pieces of our fractured bond. But she’d crossed a line, and I wasn’t about to let her threats go unpunished. Not when it came to Kurtis.I reached the end of the hall and stopped before the heavy, rusted door. With a quick glance behind me, I twisted the handle and slipped inside.There he was, Kurtis, his arms tied behind him, his face bruised, his eyes barely open as he slumped against the chair. He looked up at the sound of the door creaking, and a flicker of recognition crossed his face. A smirk played on my lips as
Angela's POVI stormed down the hallway, my heels echoing sharply off the walls. Each step felt like a punctuation to my anger, a steady reminder of just how far things had spiraled out of my control. Lyra had gone too far this time. Barging into my place, screaming like a banshee, her voice laced with a fury I didn’t even know she was capable of. She even dared to break my favorite vase, scattering pieces of glass across my living room floor as if it was nothing, just like she’d trampled over everything I cared about.Now, I stood before the heavy metal door where Kurtis was being held, catching my breath. I wasn’t here to play nice or listen to his excuses. He’d brought this on himself when he chose her over me. I twisted the rusty handle, pushing the door open to find him slumped in a chair, his arms tied behind him, his face a mess of bruises.Hearing me enter, he lifted his head. His gaze met mine, a spark of defiance burning in his tired eyes. For a moment, I saw the man I’d fal
Angela's POVI stood there a moment longer, watching him with cold satisfaction as he struggled. There was something almost poetic about it; the man who once had all the power over me was now helpless and at my mercy. I smirked, savoring the irony.But my satisfaction was fleeting. Kurtis's words echoed in my mind, cutting deeper than I cared to admit. *“Lyra’s a better person than you’ll ever be… She’s everything you’re not.”* I swallowed hard, forcing the bitterness down, trying to shake his words out of my head. But it lingered, that gnawing doubt he’d left behind. My sister, my twin, had somehow become the perfect one, the innocent, the beloved. I hated it. And I hated her for it.I turned on my heel, heading back toward the door, but before I could leave, Kurtis's voice stopped me. "Leaving already, Angela?" he taunted, a trace of dark amusement in his tone. "I thought you wanted to teach me a lesson."I spun around, glaring at him. "Oh, believe me, I will. This is only the begin
Lyra’s POVI waited until the sharp echo of Angela’s heels faded down the hallway, my fingers tightening around my phone as I watched her disappear. The act had worked, for now. I forced myself to take a deep breath, letting Angela believe I was done, that I was ready to walk away from Kurtis and everything between us. She’d fallen for my words, swallowed the lie whole. But deep inside, my resolve hardened. She thought I’d back down. I’d never been more determined to fight.I took a steadying breath and pulled out my phone, scrolling to the contact labeled "Tracker." With a quick message, I let my source know to monitor Angela’s every move. I couldn’t take any chances. Angela was out of control, and if she found out I was watching, she’d make good on her threats. I knew she’d go after Kurtis the moment I showed my hand too soon.The thought of him, tied up somewhere, injured and helpless, made my chest ache. How did it come to this? I’d always looked up to Angela, my strong, unpredic
As soon as Angela showed up at my door, I felt a chill run down my spine. She was all smiles, but there was an edge to it, a bitterness she was trying to hide beneath a mask of casual indifference. I knew her well enough to see through the act, and something told me this visit wasn’t as innocent as she was making it seem."Lyra," she said smoothly, stepping inside before I could even invite her. She looked around, her gaze sweeping over my place as if it were something offensive. "I was just in the area and thought I'd drop by."I forced a polite smile, hiding the tension knotting in my chest. "Sure, Angela. Always nice to have a… surprise visitor."She chuckled, a low, mocking sound. "Surprises can be… interesting, can’t they? But I don’t suppose you’re much for surprises. You like things to be safe and predictable."My jaw clenched, but I kept my voice steady. "What do you want, Angela?"She looked at me, her eyes narrowing. "To make sure you’re clear on a few things. I don’t want a
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