admins Lyra woke up to giggles from upstairs. Still half-asleep, she wandered out and spotted Joel and Renee messing around with flowers. They stood way too close, Joel showing her how to trim the stems like it was some big romantic moment. For a second, Lyra just stood there, frozen. Back when Joel was stuck … Read more
Lyra snapped. “Are you crazy? What are you doing?” She reached to grab it back, but Renee held on, knuckles white, rubbing the bracelet with a look of pure envy. “I heard this was from Mrs. Fenwick—a gift for the future daughter-in-law, huh?” Before Lyra could react, Renee shoved the bracelet into … Read more
Before Lyra could wrap her head around it, people started flocking to Renee, drinks in hand, piling on the compliments. “Renee, Joel’s so good to you—just handing over a supercar like it’s nothing.” “That white dress is gorgeous—you look like a princess.” “Heard you’re killer at racing—sweet and fierce. You and Joel … Read more
right?” Lyra didn’t let them keep talking—she shoved the door open and cleared her throat, making them both shut up immediately. That evening, the doctor gave the all-clear for discharge. Back home, Lyra got a friend request—Weston Windsor. Must be the guy she was supposed to marry. She hit accept, and … Read more
When Lyra woke up, the first thing she saw was a pair of worried eyes. Joel shot up and called the doctor, finally breathing out when they confirmed she was okay. Lyra glanced at her left wrist—a bracelet with a cross. Looked just like Joel’s. The assistant nearby smiled. “You were out … Read more
She didn’t bother taking off her coat—just turned and jumped in. The icy water hit like a shock, soaking through her clothes, making her shiver so hard her teeth hurt. She sank slowly, fear clawing at her chest, but she bit her lip to keep from screaming. Then the water turned red—dark, blooming like … Read more
“I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but I’ve known Renee for sixteen years and seven months—she’s never lied to anyone.” Joel paused, frowning hard as if deciding to end the matter. “You made Renee cry. Fix it.” Right then, Renee—still fake sobbing—chucked the ring into the pool, gasping dramatically. “Joel! … Read more
The next morning, Lyra dragged herself home. As soon as she stepped inside, Colin, the butler, appeared, looking uneasy. “Ms. Lebeau, Mr. Fenwick’s waiting by the pool. He’s… not in a good mood.” She headed to the pool and spotted Joel comforting Renee, who was sniffling and playing the victim with fake tears … Read more
Lyra watched them vanish into the hospital. She tipped her head back, fighting tears, and forced herself to move. Hands shaking, she pushed open the car door and headed for the entrance. By evening, rain was coming down in torrents, soaking straight through her wound. She didn’t bother covering it up. A nurse … Read more
couldn’t move fast enough—her head smacked against the window, and blood started streaming down her face. A sharp, stabbing pain shot through her skull like needles digging straight into her brain. She couldn’t even make a sound. Joel didn’t spare her a glance—his eyes stayed glued to Renee in the black sedan, completely oblivious to … Read more