Lyra's POV“You’ll stay here. My home is your home now,” Kurtis’s aunt, Amanda, said firmly, her eyes blazing with fierce determination. The warmth in her voice caught me off guard as I sat on the edge of the sofa, clutching a tissue to my tear-streaked face. After the confrontation with Kurtis’s father, Amanda had taken me in without hesitation, insisting I was family now, despite everything.I glanced up at her, my voice trembling. “I can’t impose. You’ve already done so much.”Amanda waved off my words, pulling me into a soft embrace. “Nonsense. You’re not imposing. You belong here, Lyra, and we won’t let anyone push you away.”For a moment, I let myself relax in her embrace, the motherly affection seeping into my bones. It was strange, comforting, even. I hadn’t felt like I truly belonged anywhere in a long time.But the peace didn’t last long. Just as Amanda released me, her daughter Sophie came bounding down the stairs, dressed for school in her uniform. Her face was a mixture o
Kurtis’s POVMy father’s words rang in my ears like a constant, unbearable echo. I stood there, fists clenched, trying to control the fire raging inside me. It felt like every nerve in my body was on edge, ready to snap. He had no right, none at all."She “left” you," he repeated, his voice heavy with disdain. "On your wedding day, Kurtis. In front of everyone,:our family, our friends, important people who hold *respect* for this family.""Don't say that!" I barked, my voice louder than I intended, causing him to pause for a second. "Even if she did, even if she left me, I still love her.”"You let her back into the house? After everything she did to you?" My father's voice hit me again. His words dripped with contempt, each one slicing deeper than the last. I felt a surge of heat rise to my chest. The control I had been barely clinging to snapped, and I turned to face him, my hands already curling into fists."And you threw her out like she was nothing," I spat, unable to hide the ve
Kurtis POVKurtis pushed open the front door, his heart pounding in his chest as he entered his aunt’s house. He knew Lyra was staying here, and every step he took towards her felt heavy, filled with the weight of everything unsaid between them. His mind was a mess, tangled with frustration, confusion, and a raw desire that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. He wanted to see her, needed to see her, but he didn’t know how this conversation would go. He wasn’t even sure how it “should” go.As he stepped into the living room, his aunt, her daughter, and his cousin were just finishing clearing the table from dinner. Lyra sat there, her face pale, her eyes wide as she caught sight of him. Her gaze lingered on his for a moment too long before she quickly looked away, her hands trembling slightly as she fidgeted with the napkin in front of her."Kurtis," his aunt greeted, smiling warmly. "We were just finishing up. I’ll give you two some space."Her words made the tensi
Lyra's POVThe heat between Kurtis and me was electric, our bodies tangled together as his hands gripped my waist tightly, pressing me against the wall. I could feel his heartbeat racing against my chest, his lips exploring my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I had missed him, missed this, and every kiss, every touch reminded me of how much I craved him.But then the door swung open.A man cleared his throat loudly, cutting through the moment like a cold slap. "Ahem. I hope I’m not interrupting anything here, sir, ma'am."We both froze. Kurtis's lips hovered over mine, his hands still on me, but the spell was broken. Slowly, we turned to face the man, an awkward silence filling the room. My heart was still pounding, not from passion now, but from sheer embarrassment. I could feel my cheeks burning, and I quickly pulled away from Kurtis, smoothing down my clothes.The man looked at us, clearly uncomfortable, his eyes flicking between Kurtis and me. "I hate to shout," he muttered, g
Kurtis’s POVI slammed the door behind me, the sound reverberating through the hallway like the echo of my frustration. My chest was tight, my hands shaking as I stormed down the street, each step pounding against the ground like the thoughts racing through my mind. How did we get here? How did we go from nearly perfect to this, again?I could still feel the heat of Lyra’s skin against mine, the intoxicating pull of her lips just moments ago. I was so close. So damn close to putting a ring on her finger, to making everything official between us. I had the ring in my pocket, burning a hole in my jeans for weeks now, waiting for the perfect moment. That moment was tonight. I wanted her to know how much she meant to me, how much she still means to me despite everything we've been through. But then **he** walked in. James. The name alone made my blood boil. He didn’t just interrupt us; he ripped apart what should have been one of the best moments of our lives. I had it all planned out.
Lyra's POVThe air in the ballroom was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and champagne, but all I could smell was the tension burning through my veins. My heart was pounding, and not from the dance or the music. It was because of him.Kurtis.He wasn’t even in the room, but I could feel the ghost of his touch on my skin, the memory of his lips against mine from earlier today. The way he had kissed me, claiming me as if I was the only thing that mattered, still left me breathless. But now… now I was stuck here, my thoughts twisted with worry about where things stood between us.My eyes darted around the room, landing on James, who stood too close to me, his body angled toward mine as if trying to shield me from the crowd. He had been hovering all night, his gaze lingering a little too long on my lips, his hand brushing against my waist a little too often. And for some reason, I hadn’t stopped him.But I should have.Because Kurtis was out there somewhere, thinking God knows wha
Kurtis’s POVThe words tasted bitter on my tongue as I watched Lyra standing in front of me, her eyes wide with confusion, fear, and a flicker of hope. I could barely keep my voice steady, my heart torn between everything I wanted to believe and the damn images that wouldn’t stop replaying in my mind: her, with James, too close, looking like she was enjoying his touch.She stood there, in my office, dressed in the same deep blue dress from last night. It clung to her, soft and graceful, a painful reminder of everything she was to me. And yet, all I could think of was James’s hand on her waist. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, forcing myself to focus.I wasn’t going to make this easy.“What are you doing here, Lyra?” I said coldly, refusing to meet her gaze. “I thought you had company last night.”She took a step closer, and I could feel her presence, a warmth that made me want to pull her close, hold her, forget everything. But the anger burned too hot. “Kurtis, pl
Lyra's POVI held my breath as I approached the massive oak door, my heart racing with a mix of fear and hope. I had no idea how Kurtis’s father would react to my presence, or if he’d even want to see me after everything that had happened. But I was desperate. Desperate enough to swallow my pride, to risk the embarrassment, and to face whatever consequences came from what I’d done.The knock on the door echoed louder than I’d expected, reverberating in the stillness of the early morning. I almost turned to leave right then, the fear gripping me, but before I could move, the door swung open.Kurtis’s father stood before me, his eyes narrowing the moment he saw my face. “Lyra,” he said, his voice low, stern. “What are you doing here?”I swallowed, feeling a sharp pang in my chest. His expression was unreadable, his gaze piercing. I’d always known Mr. Everett as a warm and kind man, but right now, his look was distant, almost guarded, and I couldn’t help but feel I’d lost his respect too
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