Chapter 6

I didn’t think Victor actually meant what he said. That he would help me get back at his friend. It didn’t make sense.

I rolled out of bed and dragged myself to the bathroom, brushing my teeth like a zombie before crawling back under the sheets. My phone was in my hand before I even realized it.

I was hoping. Still hoping.

Maybe an apology… a message… anything from Ronan.

Nothing.

“Fuck you, Ronan.” The words tasted bitter in my mouth. The ache in my chest only grew heavier as I stood and reached for the bottle of alcohol I had hidden away.

Thank God Victor wasn’t here to lecture me about wasting my life when it was the only thing numbing the pain right now.

I took a long gulp.

Then another.

Scrolling through the internet was a mistake. Everywhere I looked, their engagement was trending. Headlines calling it the most romantic proposal Miami had ever seen.

Romantic.

The audacity of that jerk measuring my finger like that… God. That was the part that hurt the most.

My phone rang just as I lifted the bottle again.

Maria.

I answered with a sigh. “Maria.”

“It’s Mrs. Cole. It started again.” Her voice shook. “Please, she needs you. Where are you?”

If not that Maria didn't know what I was going through, I would’ve insulted her. Actually… she did know. She’d definitely seen the news. Probably welcoming that Elera bitch with a smile. So fuck her.

“I can’t come right now. I’m not nearby.”

“You’re the only one who can save her. Please.”

I heard Mrs. Cole struggling in the background and my anger cracked instantly. That woman raised me. Despite everything happening with Ronan… she had always been on my side.

I sighed. “Fine. Keep her hands and chest cool. I’m coming.”

The call ended and I forced myself to move, heading to the bathroom before realizing I was still wearing the oversized clothes Victor gave me.

I didn’t care.

Victor wasn’t home, so I slipped out without being stopped.

Getting a ride from this side of the beach felt like a miracle. Victor’s house was right by the shore, and cars were rare out here. But somehow, fifteen minutes later, we were pulling up in front of the Cole mansion.

And that’s when it hit me.

I never told the driver the address.

“How did she…?” The thought vanished as I rushed inside, the butler already waiting at the door, relief written all over his face.

“Please help her.”

I nodded and headed straight in. Maria was beside Mrs. Cole, panic in her eyes.

“Mrs. Cole,” I said softly, slipping into the role I knew best. “I need you to breathe for me, okay?”

Maria had already given her the dose. Nursing school had taught me enough to know she couldn’t have another within two hours.

Slowly, Mrs. Cole calmed. Her vitals stabilized. Her fingers wrapped around my hand like she was afraid I’d disappear.

“Don’t leave me again.” My throat tightened. I wish I didn’t have to. But this house… it only reminded me of pain.

Years of being the perfect girlfriend. Years of loving Ronan. And now I wasn’t even worthy of the girlfriend title.

When Mrs. Cole finally fell asleep, I slipped out and headed toward my bedroom… What used to be my bedroom.

I just needed my clothes. That was it.

I reached the door and froze when I heard voices inside.

“You can turn it into whatever you want, baby.” Ronan. What the hell was he doing in my room?

“Whose things are those, baby?” a sweet voice asked. Elara. My chest burned instantly.

“A helper,” Ronan replied casually. “She left.”

Helper. He called me a helper.

“I’ll turn it into my shoe collection room,” she giggled.

I was standing by the door now, listening like an idiot.

“This is your house now. You can turn this room and many others into anything you want,” Ronan said softly. “You’ll be Mrs. Cole soon, my angel.”

Those words hit me like a punch. My hand tightened on the door for support. It swung open. And I fell forward, straight onto my knees in front of them.

“Lyra!” Ronan shouted, shock written all over his face.