Chapter 1

Silvercrest Hospital, Lindale, Khelmark.

Evelyn Fenwick burst into the hospital room, glaring at her younger brother slouched on the couch.

"Joel Fenwick, are you out of your mind? You gave Lyra's bone marrow to Renee without telling her?"

Joel Fenwick didn't flinch, just clenched his jaw. "Lyra was the only match. I didn't have a choice."

She snatched Lyra's medical report off the table, eyes blazing. "NO CHOICE? You knew her health was trash and lied about it being a stomach issue just to make her do it? What's WRONG with you? Renee's got you whipped again?

"Years ago, you nearly killed yourself racing just to make her smile and ended up paralyzed for five years. Who stuck by you the whole time? LYRA.

"Now you're back on your feet, Renee shows up sick, and you sneak around to steal Lyra's bone marrow. Then as soon as Renee's better, you're off making TEST TUBE BABIES with her!"

Lyra froze at the doorway, gripping the wall like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her smile went stiff, a chill washing over her.

Just half an hour ago, the doctor cleared her "stomach condition" and said she could finally go home. Joel had proposed right there—she'd cried happy tears and even posted online about it being the best day of her life.

Inside the room, Joel hung his head, messy hair shadowing his eyes.

"Evelyn, keep this to yourself. Don't let Lyra find out. Renee's grandma doesn't have much time left—she just wants to hold Renee's child before she dies. I don't want her leaving with regrets."

Evelyn's eyes widened, face flushed with fury. "And what about Lyra? Everyone knows she's been in love with you for SIX YEARS!

"Remember? Renee confessed to Stanley Pryce and got shot down. You used Lyra to humiliate him. Now Renee's pregnant, and after everything Lyra's done for you, what's your plan for her?"

Joel stared at the floor. After a long pause, his voice came out rough. "I've got it all planned. Lyra will never know Renee's pregnant. As for the future... I'm used to having her around. I'll marry her..."

Lyra didn't hear the rest.

A nurse walked up, and Lyra quickly lowered her head, pretending she'd just come back from handling discharge papers. Inside, Joel and Evelyn shared uneasy glances before Evelyn dragged him out.

On the way home, Joel rambled about wedding plans, but Lyra didn't hear a word. She just stared out the window, feeling cold all over.

She'd met Joel at fifteen—some fancy party her parents threw. One look at that aloof, noble-looking teenager, and he was burned into her mind.

At sixteen, she joined a racing competition under the alias 'Vesper' and ended up saving his life. That was the start of her long, silent crush.

At twenty, Stanley Pryce was chasing her, and Joel hit her up on a chat app after a party. She'd been on cloud nine—until she learned about Renee Slutz, Joel's childhood sweetheart. Renee was wild, bouncing from guy to guy, never giving Joel the time of day.

At twenty-one, Joel finally confessed, and she said yes. A year later, he got into that racing accident and wound up paralyzed. Everything changed. He turned moody and bitter, but Lyra stayed—out of love. She could've moved to Emmerica with her parents, but she didn't.

At twenty-seven, Joel got back on his feet. His grandfather, Dominic Fenwick, announced he'd take over Fenwick Corp. He was on top of the world—while she collapsed at home and woke up in the hospital with a supposed "stomach condition." Surgery. Recovery. Lies.

Now it all made sense—those endless blood tests at the hospital. Joel said it was for medical checks, but he'd tricked her into donating bone marrow to Renee.

The Bentley pulled into the villa complex.

Around midnight, Joel's phone rang—'Cutie ReeRee.' He swiped to decline and left in a hurry.

Lyra moved to the window, watching the Bentley disappear into the night.

She pulled out her phone and dialed her mom. "Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm agreeing to the arranged marriage with the Windsor family. Seven days from now, as soon as I land, I'll get the marriage certificate."

Deborah seemed to sense what Lyra was going through. She offered a few comforting words before gently pointing out the reality. "Are you sure? Honey, our family isn't as influential as it used to be.

"This marriage isn't something to take lightly. The Windsor and Fenwick families might be miles apart, but they are like fire and water.

"If you marry into the Windsors, they might make you cut all ties with the Fenwicks."

Lyra lowered her gaze. Six years ago, the Lebeau family moved their business to Emmerica. After a financial crisis, the Windsor family—also based in Emmerica—pushed for a marriage alliance, but her parents never forced her—because they knew she loved Joel.

Now she just wanted him out of her life for good. Marrying into the Windsor family was the only way to make a clean break.

"Mom, I've made up my mind. I never want to see Joel again!"