chapter 50

Lyra's POV

I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as James’s words echoed in my ears.

“Miss you?”

I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right. His voice, that smirk on his face, everything about this moment felt surreal. After all these years, James, the man who had once shattered my heart, was standing in front of me like a ghost from my past.

“Who the hell is this?” Kurtis’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, his grip on my waist tightening. His protective tone sent a shiver down my spine, but I couldn’t focus. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of what was happening.

James took a step closer, his gaze locked on mine, completely ignoring Kurtis. “You didn’t answer me, baby boo. Did you miss me?”

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “What are you doing here, James?”

He shrugged casually, as if this was no big deal. “What? I can’t visit an old flame? It’s been a while, Lyra. Thought we could catch up.”

James smirked as he stepped closer, his confidence oozing