Lyra's POV I stirred awake as the morning sun peeked through the curtains, stretching my arms above my head. I glanced at the clock. “Looks like it’s almost time,” I muttered to myself. I turned to Kurtis, still asleep beside me, his chest rising and falling softly.I reached out, brushing my fingers through his hair. “Hey, sleepyhead, time to wake up. We’ve got a big day ahead!” He didn't respond, I smiled, reaching out to gently brush my fingers across his cheek. "Kurtis, it’s time to get up," I whispered, leaning in closer.He stirred slightly but didn’t open his eyes. "Five more minutes, baby girl," he mumbled, his voice husky with sleep.I chuckled softly. "You said that last night when you told me we’d be traveling back today. We’ve got to get moving."Kurtis slowly opened one eye, flashing me a lazy grin. "I did, didn’t I?" His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer. "But can’t we have just a little more time before reality hits?"He groaned, turning onto his side, his blue
Kurtis POV"Are you trying to distract me, baby girl?" I teased, pulling Lyra closer, feeling her warmth press against me as we lay on the couch, still basking in the afterglow of our first night in the new apartment. The soft candlelight filled the room, but it couldn’t match the heat and spark between us.Lyra grinned, her lips brushing against my neck as she whispered, "Maybe... is it working?"I chuckled, my hand sliding down her back. "Always." I kissed her gently, savoring the softness of her lips. "But I can’t stop thinking about something."She tilted her head, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "What’s that?""Our wedding," I said, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. "I’ve been planning it in my head. I want it to be the perfect celebration of us."Her smile widened, but there was a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "Oh, have you now? And what exactly have you planned, Mr. Architect?"I grinned, loving how she always kept me on my toes. "Well," I started, sitting up a
Kurtis POV“Can’t get enough of me, huh?” I whispered against Lyra’s ear, my lips brushing the soft skin of her neck as I nibbled lightly, teasing her.She gasped softly, arching into me, her fingers gripping my shoulders. “You know I can’t resist you.”I smiled, my hand sliding under her shirt, tracing slow, deliberate circles over her skin. “Good. Because I don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon.”She turned in my arms, her lips meeting mine in a fiery kiss, our mouths moving together with a hunger that never seemed to fade, no matter how much time we spent together. The taste of her lips, the softness of her skin, I couldn’t get enough.Just as I was about to lose myself completely in the moment, my phone rang, vibrating in my pocket.“Really?” Lyra groaned, pulling back slightly, her forehead resting against mine.I let out a breath, frustrated by the interruption. “Give me a second, baby girl.” Reaching for my phone, I glanced at the screen. “It’s Brody. Let me just see what
Kurtis POVMy phone buzzed again on the nightstand, the notification lighting up the screen. I reached over, still in a half-daze from the heat of the moment with Lyra. A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth when I saw Brody’s name flash across the screen. "Bro, we’re heading out tonight. Let’s catch up at 5:00 p.m. Be ready. No excuses."I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Of course, Brody would decide today of all days to make plans. He knew how I liked my evenings with Lyra. I glanced at her, curled up against me, looking completely content.Lyra noticed me checking the phone and raised her eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “Let me guess. Brody’s roped you into something again?”“Yup.” I grinned, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Looks like I’m getting dragged out by the guys tonight.”Lyra chuckled, snuggling closer. “You can go. Just don’t stay out too late. And remember, I’ll know “everything” you do.”I laughed, pulling her into me. “You’re impossible,
Kurtis POV"Brody, are you ready to eat or just stare at the menu like it’s a life decision?" I teased as we sat down at the restaurant.He smirked, flipping the menu over. "I’m just making sure I get the best steak in this place, man. When it comes to food, you gotta be serious."I laughed, already knowing his obsession with finding the 'perfect meal.' "Yeah, because a bad steak will totally ruin your night, right?""Damn right," he replied, setting the menu down. "But, let’s be real. The food’s not the only reason we’re here tonight. We’ve got to lock down the plans for this three-day wedding bash."I leaned back in my chair, shaking my head with a grin. "Always straight to business with you.""Hey, this is serious stuff, Kurtis. You’re talking about one of the biggest parties of your life," Brody said, leaning in. "We’ve gotta make sure it’s epic. And I know you want to impress Lyra.""She’s already impressed," I said, a smug smile tugging at my lips. "But yeah, I want everything t
Lyra’s POV"Three days, Kurtis. We have three days to plan the biggest party of our lives," I said, pacing around the room, phone in hand.Kurtis smirked from the bed, watching me with those playful eyes. "Baby girl, you’re stressing yourself out for no reason. We’ve got this.""Easy for you to say," I shot back, turning to face him. "You’re not the one handling the guest list, the catering, the decorations... and the pressure to make everything perfect.""Hey, I’m handling Brody. That’s a full-time job in itself," Kurtis teased, leaning back against the headboard. "Besides, you’ve got that magic touch. Everyone’s already going to be impressed."I let out a deep sigh, shaking my head. "It’s not about impressing people. I just want everything to feel right. For us."Kurtis got up, walking over to me. He took my hands and pulled me close, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead. "It’ll be perfect because it’s for us. You don’t need to make it complicated."I closed my eyes for a moment, sav
Lyra's POV"Lyra, baby girl, today’s the day," Kurtis whispered, his breath warm against my neck as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. "The big engagement party. Are you ready?"I turned to face him, feeling a surge of nervous excitement. "Ready or not, it’s happening. I just hope everything goes as planned."Kurtis chuckled, brushing a stray curl behind my ear. "It will. You’ve been stressing over every little detail for days. Now it’s time to enjoy it.""You make it sound so easy," I teased, smoothing out the front of my dress. It was a sleek, floor-length gown in deep emerald green, hugging my curves in all the right places. "But what if something goes wrong? What if""Lyra," he interrupted, gently taking my face in his hands. "Tonight is going to be perfect because we’re celebrating us. Nothing else matters."I exhaled slowly, letting his words sink in. He always knew how to calm me down. "Okay. Let’s do this."The terrace was alive with energy when we arrived. Fairy light
Lyra’s POVAs the speeches ended and the clinking of glasses filled the air, Kurtis leaned in close to my ear. His voice was low, but I could hear the heat behind it. “Baby girl, did I tell you how stunning you look tonight?”A blush crept up my neck. “You might’ve mentioned it a few times,” I teased, running my hand up his chest. “But I’m not tired of hearing it.”He chuckled, his fingers grazing my waist, sending a ripple of warmth through me. “Good, because I’m not done reminding you.” His hand slid to the small of my back, pulling me closer as his lips brushed my ear again. “I can’t wait to get you alone tonight.”A shiver ran down my spine, and I bit my lip. “Kurtis, we’re still at the party,” I whispered, glancing around to see if anyone was watching.“So?” he whispered back, his eyes glinting mischievously. “They don’t have to know what I’m thinking.”My heart raced. This man knew exactly how to get under my skin, and the worst part was, I loved it. “Behave,” I warned, playfull
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