Weston didn’t leave Lyra’s side the rest of the day. After work, Joel trailed her car like a ghost, but Lyra acted like he didn’t exist.
1/2
Chooter 14
+25 BONUS
That night, the butler came over with a tablet, clearly uncomfortable. “Mr. Windsor, Mrs. Windsor… there’s a man kneeling at the gate. He’s holding documents and won’t leave, no matter what we say…‘
Lyra glanced at the screen.
11
Joel was on his knees outside the gate, gripping a stack of car contracts in one hand and a little sign in the other:
[Lyra, I bought three sports cars you love. Please forgive me.]
And behind him? Two guys holding a banner like it was some kind of fan meet:
[Give me one more chance, please?]
Lyra’s brow twitched, but her voice stayed cool. “Ignore him.”
***
The next morning, the sky flipped fast–gray clouds rolled in, and rain came down like a full–on meltdown.
Joel knelt there, soaked to the bone, looking nothing like the usual untouchable, cocky version of himself.
Lyra stepped out and slipped into Weston’s Porsche without missing a beat. Joel watched from the gate, eyes hollow as the car disappeared down the road.
There was a time when one sad look from him would’ve sent her running to make it better. Now? He’d been kneeling in the rain the whole night, and she didn’t even blink.
Half a month. That’s all it took for her to shut the door on him completely.
***
Lebeau Corp.
Right after the morning meeting, Lyra’s secretary walked in holding a car contract.
Lyra’s face tensed–she was sure Joel was back at it. But the secretary smiled as she set it down.
““This one’s from Mr. Windsor.”
Lyra’s phone buzzed. Text from Poppy:
[Lyra, Weston’s wild. He actually called me to ask what kind of sports car you like.]
[I joked about the insanely pricey Pagani… and he went ahead and ordered it. He’s so into you.]
Lyra snapped a pic of the contract and tossed it on her socials with the caption:
[The car’s cool. So is he.]
***
That afternoon, Weston took Lyra to a bridal shop for their wedding shoot.
Joel trailed behind like a shadow, eyes bloodshot as he stepped inside.
“Lyra, why won’t you accept the cars I bought, but you’ll take his?”
