At sixteen, she joined a racing competition under the alias ‘Vesper’ and ended up saving his life. That was the start of her long, silent crush.
At twenty, Stanley Pryce was chasing her, and Joel hit her up on a chat app after a party. She’d been on cloud nine—until she learned about Renee Slutz, Joel’s childhood sweetheart. Renee was wild, bouncing from guy to guy, never giving Joel the time of day.
At twenty-one, Joel finally confessed, and she said yes. A year later, he got into that racing accident and wound up paralyzed. Everything changed. He turned moody and bitter, but Lyra stayed—out of love. She could’ve moved to Emmerica with her parents, but she didn’t.
At twenty-seven, Joel got back on his feet. His grandfather, Dominic Fenwick, announced he’d take over Fenwick Corp. He was on top of the world—while she collapsed at home and woke up in the hospital with a supposed “stomach condition.” Surgery. Recovery. Lies.
Now it all made sense—those endless blood tests at the hospital. Joel said it was for medical checks, but he’d tricked her into donating bone marrow to Renee.
The Bentley pulled into the villa complex.
Around midnight, Joel’s phone rang—’Cutie ReeRee.’ He swiped to decline and left in a hurry.
Lyra moved to the window, watching the Bentley disappear into the night.
She pulled out her phone and dialed her mom. “Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I’m agreeing to the arranged marriage with the Windsor family. Seven days from now, as soon as I land, I’ll get the marriage certificate.”
Deborah seemed to sense what Lyra was going through. She offered a few comforting words before gently pointing out the reality. “Are you sure? Honey, our family isn’t as influential as it used to be.
“This marriage isn’t something to take lightly. The Windsor and Fenwick families might be miles apart, but they are like fire and water.
“If you marry into the Windsors, they might make you cut all ties with the Fenwicks.”
Lyra lowered her gaze. Six years ago, the Lebeau family moved their business to Emmerica. After a financial crisis, the Windsor family—also based in Emmerica—pushed for a marriage alliance, but her parents never forced her—because they knew she loved Joel.
Now she just wanted him out of her life for good. Marrying into the Windsor family was the only way to make a clean break.
“Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I never want to see Joel again!”
