Chapter 16
Joel vanished from livestreams for two weeks straight. People figured he’d flaked–just another bored billionaire chasing clout.
But when he came back? Total shock.
Bandages wrapped around his head, face ghost–white, like he’d been through hell.
И
Turned out, he had.
During those two weeks offline, Joel put himself through everything Lyra had endured–the pain, the loneliness, the betrayal.
By the time he showed his face again, he looked wrecked. Eyes bloodshot, regret written all over him.
“I get it now. I finally understand why she walked away. I owe her more than an apology.”
People who’d been dragging him online started holding back. Some even dropped respect in the chat.
[Didn’t think I’d say this, but Joel Fenwick’s got guts. That took serious nerve.]
[Most rich dudes cheat and move on. He’s out here trying to grow. That counts. Lyra should forgive him.]
But not everyone was sold.
[I heard from someone close to the situation–Renee Slutz was a nightmare for years, and Joel kept bailing her out. Even while Lyra was nursing him. So yeah, he was two–timing all along.]
That comment got buried fast under waves of others.
And then came the shippers–hardcore ones -naming them the “JoLyra” couple.
Joel kept going live every day, sharing old memories with Lyra. His clips went viral, plastered all over social media.
Lyra saw everything. She hadn’t expected him to weaponize public sympathy to guilt her into taking him back.
So she made her move.
That same day, she launched a new account and dropped a post that shut everything down: a photo of her and Weston’s marriage certificate, captioned-
[Have something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.]
Boom. Instantly trending.
Joel was mid–livestream when the chat exploded:
[Lyra Lebeau and Weston Windsor just got married.]
[Wait, Weston Windsor? The guy who never dates?]
[He posted too! Said she’s the girl he’s wanted since they were kids. I’m sobbing.]
Joel froze like he’d taken a punch straight to the gut. Hands shaking, he grabbed his phone and checked.
The marriage certificate hit him like ice water–total paralysis.
Still, he clung to denial, staring into the camera with forced resolve.
1/3
Cha
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