Chapter 05
Bruce opened his eyelids tiredly, it wasn't morning, he was only feeling thirsty. He let out a silent groan as he sat up on the bed.He stood up and made his way out of the room, heading downstairs. He got to the dinning room and advanced to the fridge, he brought out a bottled water and emptied the content down his throat.He disposed the plastic into the bin and resumed back to the room. He walked in and turning on the light switch, he suddenly realized Lyra wasn't in with him.He hadn't noticed ever since he retired to sleep, he's just noticing now." Where's she? " He thought but then brush it off since he shouldn't care. He laid back on the bed and slept off peacefully.** Next Morning **Lyra walked in slowly into the room, trying not to attract Bruce's attention if he was still in. She wasn't sure if he had left for work or not but she had to be careful.She was a bit suprised to see him still asleep. " Isn't he going to work? " She thought slowly.She walked closer to him and thought of waking him up but decided against it since he might flare up. She should go have her bath in the guest room then.She was about leaving when the clock alarm rang out loudly, she stopped on her tracks. She heard Bruce's muffled groan as he moved slowly on the bed but then slept on afterwards." He set an alarm? " She thought with widened eyes. She rushed to the clock and gasped out loudly seeing what it read. It was 10am and Bruce has set the alarm to 7am! Bruce doesn't really set alarms except there's an important venue that is really vital. That means he's 3hours late right?She shivered at the thought. But would Bruce blame her? Not like she was aware of anything.She shut her eyes softly before moving closer to him anyways, she tapped him as softly as she could." Bruce " She tapped him slowly, he only let out a silent groan and slept on afterwards." Bruce! You're late for work " She tapped him softly.Still, he wouldn't wake up. She sighed softly before deciding to leave him to it, she walked out of the room and back to the guest room.** Some Hours Later **Lyra tiptoed to their room, hoping Bruce was awake and had gone to work. She was about holding the door knob when she heard Bruce's distant voice from inside as he spoke to someone on phone." I'm so sorry.. I'm really sorry.. it was an emergency, I had to attend to it really bad. I apologize greatly " She heard Bruce saying and her heartbeat increased." Really? Does that mean the contract's still on? " She heard Bruce's hoping voice." Oh Thank Goodness. Thanks so much sir, of course I would make sure nothing ruins it this time. Thanks so much Mr Brown " Bruce thanked and with that the call ended.He heaved a sigh of relief before his hand turned into a fist. " That lowlife woman! " He muttered angrily.Lyra knew better than anyone not to show her face to him, she rushed back to the guest room and locking the door behind her. She sat on the bed earnestly hoping Bruce would leave soon to work.***Bruce walked down the stairs, approaching the dinning table which had already been set for him to have his breakfast.He hasn't seen Lyra ever since he was out of bed and he didn't care, at least he would escape commiting murder as he was determined to inflict pains on her if she dared show up to his front.She was the reason he had missed the proposal meeting with Mr Brown, and almost lost a billion worth contract.If only she had been a good wife she was supposed to be and woke him up on time, none of this would have happened.She's just a worthless, lowlife and useless wife that he hated with so much passion.He was almost done with his breakfast when he saw a maid by the rails almost descending the stairs but seemed someone called her back.He then heard whispers and he knew immediately whom that was - his worthless wife." Is he gone? " Lyra asked in a whisper to the maid. " No. Sire is still eating " The maid replied and Lyra nodded sadly.Bruce scoffed angrily as he gulped water down his throat. He got up from his seat and grabbing his car keys, he walked out of the mansion with some guards behind him." He's gone now " A maid whispered to Lyra, she heaved a sigh of relief before walking out of her hide spot." I'm glad " She muttered as she descended the stairs, heading to the dinning room to have her breakfast, it was almost noon anyways.She sat down and the maids served her meal while she was busy on her phone typing.* He didn't say any hurtful words to you, did he? * Bryan asked." No, I made sure I hid till he was out to work * Lyra typed a reply.* If he tries anything later in the night, don't hesitate to involve the police, okay? Or you place a call across to me and I will barge in right over on him and give him the beating of his life * Lyra read Bryan's reply and let out a hysteric laugh loudly that the maids near her gave her weird look.She laughed so heartily that it took her some minutes before she could stop.* Really? Would you really come? * She asked with a chuckle.* Well, maybe * Bryan replied and she smiled brightly tho he couldn't see her.* You just made me laugh for 3minutes straight * She sent and almost immediately he replied.* I'm glad, only me can do that right? * He asked and she nodded, tho she's aware he can't see her.* Yeah, only you * She replied.Bruce creased his brows suspiciously as he watched her from the tab on his hands, he was still in his car as his driver drove him to his company. His tab was connected to the CCTV cam in the dinning room and he was watching all along." We're here sire " His driver announced.He switched off the tab and alighted from the car.T B CChapter 37The cottage smelled faintly of salt and lavender, the air drifting in through open windows. Lyra sat on the worn steps at the front, a shawl wrapped loosely around her shoulders. Ella stood behind her, smoothing out the fabric as though the gesture itself could erase years of mistrust.“Do you regret it?” Ella asked quietly, lowering herself onto the step beside her.Lyra tilted her head, watching the horizon where the sea shifted in gentle silver waves. “Which part? The years of silence, or the nights I dreamt you were a ghost?”Ella’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Both.”Lyra leaned back against the wooden railing, the wind teasing her hair. “Regret is pointless. We lived what we lived. The only choice now is whether we let it rot us further, or… try to start again.”“Not as sisters,” Ella reminded her gently.“No,” Lyra agreed, a faint smile curving her mouth. “Not that. But as something else. A truce, perhaps.”The silence that followed was not hostile, only tentative
Chapter 36The morning crept in slow, gray, and unforgiving. Bruce sat at his dining table, untouched coffee cooling in front of him. His head throbbed with the weight of another sleepless night, and the silence of the house felt heavier than stone.A knock startled him. It was firm, deliberate, not the tentative tap of staff or delivery. Bruce pushed back his chair, irritation already rising. Few dared to come unannounced anymore.When he opened the door, the sight stopped him cold.Mr. and Mrs. Hansley. Lyra’s parents. Ella’s parents.They stood on the porch as though they belonged there, their posture straight, their expressions carved with the cool confidence of people who had weathered storms and decided they would never again bow to them.“Bruce,” Mr. Hansley said evenly. His gray eyes scanned him with the sharpness of judgment. “We need to speak.”Bruce hesitated before stepping aside. “Come in.”They entered with measured grace, the faint scent of perfume and polished leather
Chapter 35The city was awash with a golden haze that evening, the last glow of the sun stretching long shadows across the streets. Bruce drove without purpose, his grip tight on the wheel, his face set in a mask of restless fury. He had left another meeting in shambles, his temper snapping at colleagues who had dared to ask questions about contracts he could no longer defend. Their polite silence had cut deeper than any direct challenge, feeding the voice in his mind that told him everyone had turned against him.He did not plan to stop at Lyra’s house. He told himself he was only driving by, circling the streets as he often did when his mind refused to rest. But when he caught the faint sound of laughter drifting through an open gate, he slowed.The sound was like a blade.Laughter. His children’s laughter.Bruce parked on the curb, his breath ragged, his pulse heavy in his throat. He stepped out slowly, his shoes crunching against the gravel. The house stood proud, every line of it
Chapter 34The city never forgave a scandal, and Bruce Ford’s explosion at the dinner table had traveled faster than the dessert trays that night. Guests who had once raised their glasses to him now whispered with the careful delight of those watching a man of power stumble. The name Bruce Ford, once a weight of respect, carried with it a new echo: instability.By morning, the office carried the stain of the evening. Conversations hushed when Bruce walked by. Staff looked down at their desks, pencils suddenly fascinating, folders suddenly urgent. Even silence felt louder, as though every employee had joined the same unspoken pact: watch him crumble, but do not get caught in the rubble.Ariel kept her eyes on her notepad, her pen scratching quick notes, but her thoughts were sharper than the ink allowed. She had been loyal to Bruce, fiercely so, for years. She had covered for him in meetings, intercepted calls when he was in no state to speak, even crafted explanations that softened hi
Chapter 33The restaurant was all polished marble and quiet wealth, its chandeliers casting golden light that softened every corner. Waiters in crisp uniforms moved silently between tables, pouring wine, laying plates with the kind of elegance that made every gesture part of the performance. Lyra had chosen the place with care. It was neutral ground, yet public enough to matter. A dinner here, with Bruce at the head of the table, would whisper reassurance into the ears of anyone watching: the Ford family was steady, united, untouchable.At least, that was what she intended.She arrived early with the children, guiding them through the wide double doors with the poise of a woman accustomed to being seen. Their small hands clung to hers, their eyes wide at the gleam of chandeliers and the soft music drifting from the piano near the bar. Lyra bent to murmur something that drew faint smiles, then ushered them toward the table reserved in the center of the hall. A perfect vantage point. Ev
Chapter 32Ariel had always prided herself on precision. She knew where every file was stored, every letter categorized, every appointment accounted for. But now, her order took on a different shape.The records she began keeping were not part of her usual tasks. They were separate, hidden in a plain folder tucked deep inside her desk drawer. Notes written in her careful hand, timestamps marking when Bruce’s phone chimed, when his mood shifted, when Lyra’s name slipped back into the conversation without ever being spoken aloud.She did not know what end this record would serve, only that it mattered. To see the truth written plainly, to show someone, anyone, that the unraveling around Bruce was not chance but design.The days passed in jagged rhythm. Bruce’s temper sharpened, his patience thinned. The children learned to move quietly in his presence, laughter muted, footsteps light. Ariel filled the space he left behind, smoothing edges, guiding them gently toward routine, protecting