Lyra POVThe villa was quiet as I rushed down the hallway, my heart racing. Is Angela stepping aside? I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.“She gave up?” I muttered to myself, trying to process it. “This feels too easy… almost like a gift I don’t deserve.”I shook my head, pushing the doubt aside. “But if she’s stepping back, I have to make the most of it. This is my chance.”I reached Kurtis’s study and knocked sharply on the door, barely waiting for his response before pushing it open. Kurtis looked up from his desk, his expression shifting from surprise to something deeper.“Lyra? What’s going on?” he asked, rising from his chair with a mix of concern and anticipation.“I have to tell you something incredible,” I said, my voice trembling with excitement. I crossed the room and took his hands in mine, gazing up into his eyes. “Angela, she’s given us the go-ahead. She said she’s stepping aside and that she wants us to be happy, even if it’s together.”Kurtis’s eyes narrowed, a mi
Angela POVI just wanted to tell them I was leaving, but when I walked in on them, lost in each other's kisses, the sight hit me hard. I knew I had to step away and face my own life.A strange calm settled over me as I watched them. Part of me wanted to shout, to demand answers, but I remembered I had given them a go-ahead order, an unexpected sense of peace. This was what I’d feared, but now that I saw it, I realized it was a chance for me to move on.I cleared my throat softly, enough to make them aware of my presence. “Well, isn’t this a surprise,” I said, a hint of amusement in my voice. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your... reunion.”Lyra's eyes flew open, her face flushing with embarrassment. “Angela, I”I raised a hand to stop her. “It’s all right, Lyra. I came here to tell you both that I’m leaving.”Kurtis pulled away from Lyra, his expression a mix of panic and confusion. “Angela, thank you for doing this, I appreciate it.“Oh, it's fine, ” I said, stepping further into the ro
Angela's POVWhen I first met Alex, it felt like a breath of fresh air. After everything with Kurtis, I was ready to move on, and Alex seemed like the perfect distraction. We started hanging out more, and every time we were together, the chemistry was undeniable. Our conversations flowed so naturally, it was like we’d known each other forever. Alex had this charm that was impossible to ignore. Every time he looked at me, I felt like I was the only woman in the world. It was intoxicating, making me feel alive in a way I hadn’t felt in so long.One evening, after another night of laughter and easy banter, we ended up back at his place. The air between us was thick with anticipation, and I could feel my heart pounding as we sat close on his couch.“Angela,” Alex said softly, his voice full of meaning, “I’ve wanted to do this since the moment I met you.”Before I could even respond, he leaned in, and our lips met. The kiss was everything I didn’t know I was missing, passionate, intense,
Lyra's POVKurtis’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’ve got a surprise for you,” he whispered in my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.I leaned back into him, tilting my head to meet his gaze. “A surprise, huh? What are you up to, Kurtis?” I teased, loving the way he always managed to keep things exciting between us.He grinned, pressing a kiss to my neck. “You’ll see. But you need to get dressed. Something comfortable but cute. We’re going on an adventure.”My curiosity piqued, and I turned in his arms and looked up at him. “An adventure? You’re not giving me any hints?”“Nope,” he said, his smile growing wider. “Just trust me, you’re going to love it.”With a playful eye roll, I disentangled myself from his embrace. “Alright, Mr. Mysterious, I’ll play along. But this better be good.”Kurtis chuckled, giving me a light smack on the behind as I headed towards the bedroom. “Oh, it will be,” he called after me, h
Angela’s POVAfter the fight with Alex, I couldn’t take it anymore. His constant need to control everything, his overprotectiveness, and his insistence on being in charge, it was suffocating. I needed to get away.As I packed my bag, I didn’t even glance at him. He was standing in the doorway, frustration and desperation clear on his face, but I didn’t care. My heart pounded, and I knew he was hoping I’d change my mind, but I was done. I muttered to myself, “I have to do this for me. I can’t keep living like this. I need to breathe, to think clearly. I’m not going to let him stop me.”His voice cut through the silence. “Angela, can we talk about this? Please?”I didn’t look up. “There’s nothing left to say, Alex. I need space. I need to figure things out on my own.”“Angela, please, don’t go,” he said again, stepping closer. His voice was softer now, almost pleading. “We can talk about this, figure it out together.”I know Lyra and Kurtis are living their best lives, but me? The one
Angela POV I spent days at Sophie’s, trying to clear my head and figure out what I wanted. Every morning, I’d wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of birds chirping outside her window. It was peaceful, a world away from the tension that had become my life with Alex. But no matter how much I tried to focus on myself, my thoughts always drifted back to him. The way he looked at me, the way he held me, and the promises he made that he’d change.Sophie noticed, of course. She could tell that I was struggling. One morning, as we sat in her garden, she finally said what she’d been holding back.“Angela, I can see it on your face. You’re thinking about going back to him, aren’t you?”I hesitated, knowing she wouldn’t like my answer. “I don’t know, Sophie. Maybe. He’s been texting me every day, apologizing, saying he’ll change. What if he means it this time?”She sighed, putting down her cup of tea. “You can’t be serious. Angela, you’ve seen this pattern before. He promises to
Kurtis’s POVAs I lay there with Lyra, it felt like everything else vanished. The world around us blurred into the background, leaving just the two of us in this perfect moment. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The soft light from the setting sun gave her skin a warm, golden glow, making her look almost unreal. She was so beautiful and peaceful that it took my breath away.I reached out, my fingers gently weaving through her hair, feeling its softness between my fingers. Each strand seemed to catch the light, shimmering like gold in the evening sun. I couldn't help but marvel at how stunning she was, how every little detail about her seemed to be touched by some kind of magic.Her eyes, half-closed in contentment, sparkled like the ocean just before dusk, reflecting the love and trust we shared. I traced my thumb along her jawline, taking in the smoothness of her skin, the gentle curve of her lips, and the way her chest rose and fell with each calm breath.I tightened my hold on Lyra,
Lyra’s POVI was lost in thought, feeling like I had everything I could ever want with Kurtis by my side. Despite everything, I was still grateful to Angela, my twin, for bringing him into my life. The warmth of Kurtis’s body against mine, his arms wrapped securely around me, made me feel grounded like everything in the world had finally fallen into place.We were quiet for a while, just enjoying the peace of the moment, but I could sense that Kurtis had something on his mind. He tilted his head down, his gaze meeting mine with a look that was both curious and tender.“Tell me more about yourself, Lyra,” he asked softly, his fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “And about Angela. I want to understand everything about you.”I felt a lump form in my throat at his request. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to share, but talking about Angela always brought up a mix of emotions I wasn’t sure I was ready to face. Still, the sincerity in Kurtis’s eyes, the way he held me a
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
Lyra POV I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorway as I tried to keep my emotions in check. Angela was standing there, disheveled and broken in a way I hadn’t seen before. A part of me softened, but the wounds she’d left were too fresh to let her off the hook. “You’re sorry,” I repeated, my voice flat. “And what exactly am I supposed to do with that?” Angela’s hands fidgeted at her sides, her usual confidence nowhere in sight. “Lara, I know I can’t undo what I’ve done, but I’m here because I can’t carry this guilt anymore. I’ve been a terrible sister, and I need to make things right. Please, let me try.” I stepped aside, letting her into my apartment without a word. As much as I wanted to shut the door in her face, a part of me needed to hear what she had to say. Angela hesitated before stepping inside, her eyes scanning the space as if looking for something to anchor her. She turned to me, her lips trembling. “I messed up, Lara. I let my jealousy and anger control me,
Lyra’s POVA knock on the door startled me. It was late, and I wasn’t expecting anyone. My heart sank, a mix of unease and curiosity prickling at me. When I opened the door, the last person I expected to see stood there, Angela. She looked… different. Her usually composed face was drawn and pale, her eyes red-rimmed as if she’d been crying. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. Angela swallowed hard, her lips trembling. “Lyra… I came to say I’m sorry.” Sorry? That single word made my chest tighten, but I refused to let my guard down. “Sorry for what, exactly?” “For everything,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “For all the pain I caused you.” I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. “You’ll have to be more specific than that, Angela.” She nodded quickly, as if she’d expected this reaction. “I’m sorry for… for kidnapping you on your wedding day, for taking Kurtis, and for siding with Alice to blackmail you.” Her voice cracked, te
Angela’s POV The sunlight poured through my bedroom window, golden and soft, but it did little to ease the weight on my chest. I stared blankly at the ceiling, my thoughts a tangled mess. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, but I ignored it. I wasn’t ready to face anyone, not yet. The silence was suffocating, but it gave me nowhere to hide. Memories crept in, sharp and relentless, playing in my mind like a movie I couldn’t pause. Lyra and I, once inseparable. Lyra and I, laughing until we cried, wearing matching outfits, sharing dreams and secrets. Lyra and I. How had it come to this? I sat up, rubbing my temples as the past clawed at me.We were kids, maybe six or seven, sitting cross-legged on the living room floor. Mom had just finished making us matching blue dresses with tiny white polka dots. “Twins should always match!” she said, grinning as she held up the dresses. Lyra had squealed in delight, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the mirror once we were dressed. “Loo
Kurtis POV Lyra’s trembling fingers tightened around mine as I held her close. Her warmth, her trust, it was everything to me. But tonight wasn’t about comfort. It was about strategy. I leaned down, brushing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Lyra,” I murmured, my voice firm but tender, “we’re going to fight this, but we need to play it smart. For now, you have to keep pretending we’re not together.” She pulled back slightly, her eyes widening. “What? Kurtis, why? I thought” I pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her gently. “I know, baby girl. But if James or Alice catches even a hint that you’re not under their thumb anymore, they’ll escalate. They’ll come at you harder. We can’t risk that.” She looked torn, her brows furrowing as her lips parted to argue, but I cut her off again. “Lyra, trust me on this. Let them think they still have control. Meanwhile, I’ll be working behind the scenes to tear their entire empire apart.” Her lips quivered, but she nodded, her voice bar
Lyra POV As I looked at Kurtis' determined face, I knew he was up to fight, so I asked him again. “Kurtis,” I said softly, pulling back to look up at him. “What do we do now?”His arms tightened around me as if shielding me from the weight of the world. His eyes burned with unwavering determination, his voice low and steady. “We fight back,” he said.Before I could ask what he meant, he pulled his phone from his pocket, his fingers moving swiftly across the screen. The sound of each tap echoed in the silence, amplifying my nerves.“Kurtis, what are you doing?” I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty.He paused for a moment, his gaze meeting mine, filled with resolve. “I’m calling someone who can help us. You’ve been running for too long, Lyra. That ends now.”He raised the phone to his ear. “Dpo,” he said firmly when the call connected, his tone sharp and commanding. “It’s time. Pull everything we have on James and Alice. I want every shred of dirt they’ve ever tried to bury. Ba
Lyra POV As I looked at Kurtis' determined face, I knew he was up to fight, so I asked him again. “Kurtis,” I said softly, pulling back to look up at him. “What do we do now?”His arms tightened around me as if shielding me from the weight of the world. His eyes burned with unwavering determination, his voice low and steady. “We fight back,” he said.Before I could ask what he meant, he pulled his phone from his pocket, his fingers moving swiftly across the screen. The sound of each tap echoed in the silence, amplifying my nerves.“Kurtis, what are you doing?” I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty.He paused for a moment, his gaze meeting mine, filled with resolve. “I’m calling someone who can help us. You’ve been running for too long, Lyra. That ends now.”He raised the phone to his ear. “Dpo,” he said firmly when the call connected, his tone sharp and commanding. “It’s time. Pull everything we have on James and Alice. I want every shred of dirt they’ve ever tried to bury. Ba