Lyra's POVI could still feel the warmth of Kurtis’s lips on mine, the taste of our shared passion lingering as he held me close. My heart was still racing, my body tingling from every touch, every whispered word. I’d never felt this alive, this loved. As I rested against him, catching my breath, he suddenly pulled away, grinning like he was up to something."Kurtis, what are you up to?" I asked, trying to catch that mischievous glint in his eyes.He kissed the top of my head, pulling me to my feet. “Come on, baby girl, I’ve got another surprise for you.”I laughed softly, my hand still in his. "Another one? Kurtis, you’ve already given me the best night of my life."He led me outside, where the cool night air kissed my skin, and I realized we weren’t done celebrating yet. “This one’s a bit bigger,” he teased, opening the door and guiding me out. Bigger? What could possibly top what we just shared? I was still floating on the high of his love, the way he made me feel like the most im
Lyra's POVKurtis and I had just come back inside after celebrating, my heart still racing from the intimate moments we shared. I could still feel the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin, the intensity of his gaze making it impossible to think of anything else. But there was something in the way he smiled at me, something more than just the usual affection in his eyes. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was planning something big.He leaned back on the couch, pulling me close to his side. “Baby girl,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from my face, “I’ve got a little surprise for you.”I tilted my head, curious. “Another surprise?” I teased, my fingers lightly tracing the line of his jaw. “After everything, we’ve already celebrated tonight?”He grinned that boyish smile that always made my heart skip a beat. “Oh, this one’s even bigger. Something special.” His voice dropped, sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re going to love it.”I raised an eyebrow, intrigued but
Kurtis's POVAs I held Lyra in my arms, feeling the softness of her skin and the way she pressed perfectly against me, I couldn’t suppress the slow, satisfied smile creeping onto my face. Tonight had been everything I’d hoped for, and so much more. The way her eyes lit up, her breath catching in her throat when I slipped that ring onto her finger… every second of planning, every tiny detail, had been worth it.I kissed the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair as she snuggled closer, her fingers trailing lazily over my chest. The warmth of her body against mine had me feeling a different kind of heat. The night was far from over in my mind.“You still thinking about it?” she asked softly, her voice low and teasing as if she knew exactly where my mind had wandered.“Mmm,” I murmured, tightening my hold on her, my lips grazing the shell of her ear. “I can’t help it. You looked so damn beautiful tonight, baby girl. The way you lit up when you saw the ring... when you said
Kurtis POVThe next morning, I woke up before the sun, excitement bubbling inside me. Lyra was still asleep, her head resting on my chest, her body curled into mine. I smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction knowing what was about to happen.I slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake her, and headed downstairs. My phone buzzed with a message from James.**James:** "The car’s out front, bro. Everything’s perfect. Good luck!"I peeked out the window, and there it was, sleek, midnight blue, with a massive red ribbon tied around the hood. It looked even better than I imagined. I could hardly wait to see Lyra’s reaction.I went back upstairs, gently waking her up with a kiss. “Morning, baby girl,” I whispered against her lips, my voice thick with anticipation.She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she smiled up at me. “Mmm, morning,” she murmured, snuggling closer.“I’ve got something to show you,” I said, my excitement barely
Lyra’s POVI couldn’t hold back the excitement any longer. My heart was practically bursting, and I knew I had to call Angela right away. Every part of me tingled with joy, and my chest felt light, almost like I was floating. I couldn’t stop smiling, my cheeks aching from the constant grin. The ring on my finger sparkled in the soft light of the room, catching my eye with every movement. I lifted my hand again, admiring how the diamond caught the light, making everything feel even more real, yet somehow still a dream. With a huge smile on my face, I grabbed my phone, barely able to contain my excitement. My hands trembled slightly as I dialed Angela’s number, anticipation building with each ring. My fingers danced over the screen, but I couldn’t focus on anything except the giddy joy bubbling up inside me. I knew Angela would be just as excited for me, I could already hear her scream of excitement when I told her the news. As I waited for her to pick up, I stared at the ring again,
Lyra’s POVI stared at my phone long after the call with Angela ended, the joy from earlier slowly fading. Something about her tone kept replaying in my mind, a nagging feeling that I couldn’t shake. Angela wasn’t happy for me, not really. The way she said, "Wow, that’s… amazing" had felt so forced, so unlike her. Normally, she'd be the first to jump up and down with me, screaming in excitement. But this time... there was nothing.I sighed, sinking onto the couch and absentmindedly twisting the ring on my finger. It was stunning, the diamond catching the light in a way that made it almost hypnotic. This ring was supposed to represent everything Kurtis and I had together: love, commitment, and a future. But now, it felt like a heavy weight on my hand. Was Angela jealous?The thought hit me hard, and I shook my head, trying to dismiss it. “No, that can’t be it”. But the more I thought about it, the more things started to click into place. She had sounded distant, cold even. She mention
Angela’s POVI sat in silence, the phone call with Lyra still ringing in my ears, the bitterness swirling around me like a storm I couldn't control. I had congratulated her and played the part of the supportive sister, but inside, I was seething. My fingers curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I replayed her words.“He gave me the most beautiful ring… We’re engaged!” Her voice had been so full of joy, so naive. I could practically see her grinning like a lovestruck idiot as she twirled the ring around her finger. And the car? That “damn” car. A midnight-blue beauty? Of course, Kurtis would go all out for her. He was always that type. But now, it felt like he was throwing it in my face, everything I should’ve had.I clenched my teeth, trying to shove the jealousy down, but it was useless. The resentment boiled inside me. Lyra, my sweet, innocent twin, had taken everything I was supposed to have. The perfect man, the perfect life, and now, the ring. The ring that “shoul
Angela POVAs soon as I ended the call with Kurtis, my plan was already in motion. I felt the adrenaline rush through me, my heart pounding with a dangerous mix of excitement and rage. I knew what I had to do next, pay them a little surprise visit.The thought of seeing the look on Lyra’s face when I showed up unannounced, playing the role of the loving, supportive sister, sent a twisted thrill down my spine. She wouldn’t suspect a thing, not with how easily she bought into my act over the phone. And Kurtis… well, I knew he wasn’t that easy to fool. But it didn’t matter. I was confident enough to handle him.I grabbed my purse and keys, the drive to their place giving me plenty of time to rehearse my lines, to perfect the part I was about to play. I’d show up all smiles, full of congratulations and fake excitement. Lyra would eat it up like she always did, so desperate for my approval. Little did she know, I was already working to tear down everything she thought was hers.By the time
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
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'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
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
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 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