Kurtis POV I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the phone in my hands. The last message from Lyra was still there, short and cold, cutting through me like a knife. She’d told me she was getting married to James, just like that. No explanation, no chance for me to argue, nothing. She refused to answer my calls after that, her texts growing shorter and more distant until they stopped altogether. I couldn’t understand it. Lyra wasn’t the type to shut people out, especially not me. I asked her once, begged, even, why she was doing this. “Why leave me for him, Lyra? What does James have that I don’t?” Her response had been vague, her eyes clouded with something I couldn’t read. “It’s complicated, Kurtis. Please don’t ask me this again.” Complicated. That was all she gave me, leaving me stranded with a million questions and a heart that felt like it was being torn apart piece by piece. I leaned back against the headboard, exhaustion weighing on me. My mind couldn’t stop racing
Kurtis POV I paced the length of the living room, the soft carpet muffling my restless footsteps. My mind was a battlefield, torn between anger, confusion, and a raw, aching sense of helplessness. The image of Lyra signing that marriage certificate in my dream haunted me, her trembling fingers and the tears she couldn’t hide. I couldn’t shake it off. What if it wasn’t just a dream? What if it was a prelude to my reality? "Stop it, Kurtis," I muttered to myself, dragging my hands down my face. The walls felt like they were closing in, and the silence of the room was deafening. I needed to hear her voice, to have her tell me this was all in my head. Grabbing my phone, I dialed her number for the hundredth time this week. It rang and rang until her voicemail kicked in. *“Hi, this is Lyra. Leave a message.”* I clenched my teeth, frustration boiling over. I couldn’t even hear her say my name anymore. What was I supposed to do with this silence? Without thinking, I hurled the ph
Kurtis POV I paced the length of the living room again, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides. The more I thought about Lyra, the more my frustrations turned into an unbearable ache. My heart wasn’t just heavy, it felt shredded, raw with every beat. The dream of her marrying James wasn’t just a figment of my imagination; it felt like a warning, like my soul already knew something I didn’t. The thought of her signing her life away to someone else made my chest tighten. My mind replayed every moment we’d spent together, every promise we’d made, and every touch that had once told me we were unshakable. But now? Now, everything felt like it was slipping through my fingers, and I was powerless to stop it. I couldn’t wait any longer. If I didn’t go to her now, I’d lose her for good. “Tomorrow is too far away,” I muttered under my breath, grabbing my car keys and storming out the door. The drive to her place was a blur. My grip on the steering wheel was tight, and my chest
Lyra's POV I held my breath as Kurtis flung the door open, his presence a storm brewing in the doorway. James stood there, arrogance etched across his face, but even he faltered under Kurtis's fiery gaze. My heart thundered as I gripped Kurtis's arm, trying to hold him back from what I knew could escalate into something dangerous. “Kurtis, don’t,” I whispered, desperation thick in my voice. He ignored me, stepping forward, his towering frame blocking the doorway like a sentinel. “James, leave. Now.” James smirked, though it wavered. “This is between me and Lyra.” “No,” Kurtis said, his voice low and threatening, “this ended the moment you thought you could force her into something she didn’t want. I’m not letting you ruin her life anymore.” The tension between them was suffocating, and I knew if I didn’t intervene, things would spiral. “Stop!” I stepped between them, my palms pressed against Kurtis's chest. “Please, both of you, stop this madness!” Kurtis’s jaw was clench
Lyra’s POV The coffee shop had quieted down, the hum of the espresso machine and the occasional clink of cups the only sounds breaking the stillness. Kurtis sat across from me, his hands gripping his cup so tightly I feared it might shatter. His gaze was fixed on me, intense and unwavering, as if he were trying to peel back my layers and see straight into my soul. But I was already bare before him. “Lyra,” he said finally, his voice low, rough. “I need to know something before I go any further.” I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “What is it?” His jaw tightened as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “Are you still in love with me?” The question hit me like a freight train, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My hands trembled, and I clutched my cup as if it could anchor me to the earth. “Kurtis...” I began, but he cut me off, his voice firm and unrelenting. “No, Lyra. Don’t skirt around this. I need to hear it from you. Because if I’m
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
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’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