Kurtis’s POVI couldn’t believe what I’d just seen. James, baby boo, the audacity of it. My blood boiled as the image replayed in my head, Lyra standing there, looking torn, while that smug asshole casually called her a name only I should be using. The way he looked at her, the way she didn’t immediately push him away, it cut deeper than I wanted to admit.I needed air, space, anything but being near her right now.I walked down the dimly lit street, my fists clenched so tight I could feel my nails digging into my palms. How could she keep something like this from me? First, it was pretending to be Angela when we met, and I’d forgiven that because I fell for *her*, not the mask. But now? Now there was this guy, James, throwing around pet names like they meant something. What else had she been hiding from me?The cold wind slapped my face, but it couldn’t cool the fire burning in my chest. I felt stupid, like a fool for trusting her so blindly. I thought I knew her, thought we were sol
Lyra's POVI stared at the door for what felt like hours after Kurtis walked out. The room was cold and empty, and I couldn’t stop trembling. My heart had shattered the moment he said he needed time. The look on his face, the anger, the hurt… it tore me apart inside.How did everything go so wrong?The bed felt like a prison, holding me in place, suffocating me with thoughts of Kurtis. I knew I’d messed up, and now I was paying the price. I’d tried calling him over and over again, but every time, I was met with silence. Not even a message, nothing. He didn’t want to hear from me. That stung more than anything.“Why did James have to show up like that?”My hands clenched the pillow tighter as I thought about it. I hadn’t seen James in forever, and the last thing I expected was for him to show up in the middle of our getaway, acting like he had a right to disrupt my life.And Kurtis… seeing his face twisted with jealousy and anger, it was too much. I wanted to scream, to cry, to do anyt
Kurtis' POVI sat alone in the hotel bar, nursing my drink, staring at the door as if expecting Lyra to walk in and explain everything. My chest felt tight, anger still bubbling beneath the surface, but confusion was starting to take over. I needed answers. I needed to know the truth about James. Why was he here? Why did Lyra look so shaken when she saw him? And why the hell hadn’t she told me anything?The ringing of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Angela’s name. What could she want? I hesitated for a moment before answering.“Angela?” I said, my voice gruff.“Kurtis! Hey, how’s the trip going? Are you and Lyra having a good time?” Her voice was light, almost too sweet, like she didn’t know I was on the verge of losing my mind.I clenched my jaw. “You could say that. Until James showed up.”The line went silent for a moment. “James?” she finally asked, her tone sounding surprised, but something about it felt off. “What’s he doing there?”“That’
Kurtis POV I slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing through the quiet night air. My chest was tight, heart pounding like a drum in my ears. The house felt too small, too suffocating. I needed to breathe. I needed to think. But all I could think about was Lyra, standing there with tears in her eyes, swearing up and down that she hadn’t cheated on me. Swearing that she loved me. Yet, Angela’s voice kept playing in my head like a broken record: “She’s been seeing James. They’ve been in love for a while.”I climbed into my car and punched the steering wheel. Hard. The pain shot up my arm, but it barely registered. I was too angry, too confused. Lyra said she loved me, but why hadn’t she told me about James? Why did she let me find out this way, through Angela of all people? The thought of Angela made me frown. I trusted her, or at least I thought I did. But something didn’t sit right about the way she’d told me everything. Like she wanted me to believe the worst.I pulled my p
Kurtis POVI stood there, staring at Lyra as she tried to gather herself. My mind was a mess. Every part of me was torn between wanting to believe her and the poison that Angela had planted in my head.She took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on mine, and began speaking. "Kurtis, I dated James before I ever met you. It was before we even crossed paths, back when I was still struggling to figure myself out." Her voice trembled as she spoke, but I didn’t let her words sink in too quickly.I crossed my arms, forcing myself to keep a distance, both physically and emotionally. "And you never thought to tell me this before?" I could feel the anger rising again, but I fought to keep my voice calm. Lyra looked away, swallowing hard. "I wanted to forget about him. I didn’t think he mattered anymore."I stepped closer, my eyes narrowing. "He didn’t matter? Then why was Angela so sure that you two were still in love? What the hell are you hiding, Lyra?"Her gaze shot up, panic flashing across her
KurtisI stood by the window, watching the waves crash against the shore. The same waves that had once made this trip feel like a dream were now just noise to me. Everything felt tainted now, ruined.Lyra was sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes puffy from crying all night. I hadn't been able to sleep either, but I was too pissed to care. The anger burned through every other emotion I could have felt."I booked our flight back for tomorrow," I said, my voice cold.Lyra's head snapped up, her voice barely a whisper. "Tomorrow? But... we were supposed to stay for a few more days.""Well, that’s off the table now, isn't it?" I turned around, my arms crossed. "This trip is ruined. There’s no point in dragging it out."Her face crumpled as she stood up, closing the distance between us. "Kurtis, please, don't do this. Don’t let Angela tear us apart.""Angela isn't tearing us apart, Lyra. You did that all by yourself," I spat, my voice harsh. "She just lit the match."Lyra shook her head fur
Kurtis “You ruined everything, Lyra.” My voice was cold, cutting through the tense air between us as I slammed the door shut behind me. Her eyes, already glossy from earlier, widened at the sound of my words, but she didn’t say anything. She just stood there, near the bed, helpless, biting her lip as if that would hold back the flood of emotions threatening to spill out. I didn’t care. Not anymore. I stalked toward her, the frustration boiling under my skin. “Do you even understand how bad you screwed this up? The trip, the flight, the lies, everything.”“Kurtis…” Her voice broke, and she reached out for me, but I was in no mood for comfort. Not after everything that had happened.“Don’t,” I snapped, stepping back, dodging her touch like it burned. “Don’t even try. You think you can fix this with an apology? Do you think sorry’s going to make it all magically go away?”Tears welled up in her eyes again, but I was too far gone to care. “I *said* I’m sorry. I’ve been saying it over a
Lyra’s POVI woke up slowly, the warmth of the sun filtering through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. My body ached most deliciously, the memories of last night still fresh in my mind. I blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep when I smelled something, something sweet, comforting. My eyes fluttered open fully, and there he was, Kurtis, standing beside the bed, a tray in his hands with breakfast. My heart skipped a beat, seeing him like that, so calm, his face soft in the morning light, as if the storm of our argument had never happened. His eyes, though tired, held a kind of quiet intensity as he watched me wake.“Morning,” his voice was low, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.“You… you made breakfast?” I asked, my voice still raspy from sleep.He nodded, setting the tray down carefully on the bed, close to me. “You didn’t think I’d let you starve, did you?” He raised an eyebrow, but there was something deeper in his eyes. The playful glint wasn’t hidin
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