Chapter 18
Lyra barely glanced at the handwritten note Joel held out. She took it, ripped it to shreds, and stared him down.
“Now that it’s torn, can you fix it?”
Joel’s fists clenched. His voice cracked. “People mess up… Can’t you give me a chance to fix this?”
“I don’t want to. You’re not worth it.”
Her tone was calm, like she was talking about old news. She looked away, voice soft. “I really did love you once, Joel. But now… I don’t. Not even a little.”
People always thought she was the forgiving type. But when she made a decision, that was it. Even if Weston had never come into her life, she would’ve chosen herself.
Joel’s face drained of color. Lyra kept going.
“For the five years I took care of you, I’m asking you to stop. Don’t come looking for me again.”
She turned to Dominic, who’d stayed silent this whole time.
“Grandpa Dominic, I’ve said what I needed to say. Weston won’t make another move on Fenwick Corp–but I hope you’ll hold up your end of the deal.”
When Dominic asked for this meeting, she had two conditions: Weston comes with her. And Joel stays out of her life for good.
Dominic dropped his gaze, regret flickering behind tired eyes.
If Joel had married Lyra and secured his spot as heir, Fenwick Corp would’ve soared. But Joel blew it.
With a sigh, Dominic pulled out a gift and handed it to her. “Lyra, congrats on your marriage. Just a little gift.”
Lyra’s eyes softened as she took it.
Of everyone in Joel’s family, only Evelyn and Dominic had ever treated her like she mattered.
She kept her composure. “Thank you. I’ve got somewhere to be, so I’ll head out.”
Dominic nodded but couldn’t stop the heavy sigh as she walked away.
Outside the private lounge, Lyra had barely made it a few steps when Joel rushed after her.
“Lyra, can I… just one last hug?” His voice was tight, desperate.
She frowned, ready to shut him down–cold. But before she could speak, someone came tearing down the hallway.
Renee.
Face twisted in rage, she stormed up and hurled a bottle of sulfuric acid straight at Lyra.