5.

“You?” They shouted, surprised to see each other again.

The groom had been Harrison Monroe, that jerk who made fun of Lyra after that nightstand.

Lyra's brows furrowed and her mouth turned grim. “You son of a bitch,” she yelled inwardly.

Lyra took a step back, her heart racing faster in her chest.

Harrison impatiently held her by the waist and pulled her closer to himself. As soon as his nose came in contact with Lyra's, they kissed.

With his hands on her waist, Lyra couldn't escape, he continued rolling his tongue in her mouth.

Harrison was fast at it, he struggled to take as much time as he could while kissing his bride for more pictures to be captured.

He let go and their lips slowly departed. Their eyes were locked and the smile on his face seemed devilish to Lyra.

Harrison's gorgeous brown eyes were saying a lot.

Lyra narrowed her eyes- confused by his actions. She could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment as several cameras flickered at them.

“Hehe… my ticket to Monroe Empire Limited” Harrison chuckled within.

Stephen Monroe, the founder of Monroe Empire Limited or could I declare, Harrison's father gave his sons a chore to prove that they would be responsible after his death.

The seat to Monroe Empire will be the reward of the most responsible son. This is like a chess game to Harrison and he's determined to win at all cost.

Monroe Empire Limited had always been Harrison's dream, he had to prove he was responsible to his dying father by getting married to own a position in Monroe Empire Limited.

Many claps rumbled as flowers fell on the newly wedded couples. Lyra's lips pursed, she gazed at the seas of faces in hopes of sight Elsa, her mother.

Her worried eyes met Elsa seated with a smile plastered on her face. “I'm sorry, Mum,” Lyra whispered, but then Elsa stood up and clapped joyfully.

Tears of joy dropped from Lyra's eyes as she noticed the joy displayed on Elsa's face. Lyra believed that she had made the right decision and she had successfully protected her family's reputation.

They walked down the aisle and everyone clapped. Lyra thought everything would go smoothly until the bunch of reporters gathered outside with cameras flickering.

Harrison's bodyguards appeared to do their work. “Congratulations, Mr. Harrison,” A reporter greeted

“Mr. Harrison, are you aware Mrs. Lyra used to be Mr. Ethan's lover?”

“How do you feel having Ethan's leftovers?”

“Is this the bride you came from California for? Do you think she has possessions like you do?”

The reporter's queries made Harrison angry, he lunged his hand and grabbed a camera that was closer to him. His grip on the camera loosened and he slammed it on the floor.

The camera broke into pieces, clattering on the ground. “She's mine, Only mine,” Harrison said through bare teeth.

He grabbed her hand, showcasing to the world the diamond ring he had inserted in her finger.

Lyra's eyes widened at him, she was shocked by his strange actions. Why did he care so much about me? He called me a nobody earlier.

Lyra became uncomfortable, she wasn't bothered about the reporter's queries because she knew it was false.

Harrison took quick steps and got in his vehicle with his lips pursed. Lyra hopped in the car after him with thoughts that she could end whatever shit she started.

“I didn't want to be your wife,” Lyra muttered. She expected him a response but he claimed his mouth shut, muted till they got to one of Monroe's mansions.

“Ugh…he thinks he's cool? huh? Is he expecting me to plead for his response?” Lyra scoffs within.

The car halted, and Lyra took a look at Monroe's mansion before her. Her mouth widened and her eyes admired the building before her. It was like she was in her imaginary world.

Harrison alighted from the vehicle and took quick steps into the mansion.

Lyra rolled her eyes at him. “Perv,” she remarked. She alighted from the vehicle and strolled into the porch and gardens to see escape routes and where security men are positioned in case of an emergency.

While admiring the roses in the garden house, Lyra felt a shadow behind her. She hastily turned away, stepping back.

“Oh my, you startled me,” she shouted, panting heavily.

It was Harrison's favorite and closest bodyguard, Adrain Peterburg. He was in his normal uniform- black suit and pants. “Mr. Harrison instructed me to fetch you,” he said calmly.

Lyra furrowed her brows, her eyes fixed on the huge scar on his right eye. “Why?” she became nervous with crazy imaginations flashing in her head. Will Harrison try to hurt her?

“You should come over, Mrs,” Adrian Petersburg insisted in a high-pitched tone.

Lyra squinted her brows as crazy imaginations of Harrison trying to strangle her flashed in her head. She shakes her head, “Never.”

Adrian shakes his bandaged fist at a wide stance. “You leave me no choice,” his voice becomes harsh.

Adrian bent down and pulled her by her thighs. “What are you trying to do?” Lyra yelled, fiercely whacking his back to let her go but his grip became tighter.

He carried her on his broad shoulder like she weighed nothing. She screamed, hitting her legs and arms on his body.

Adrian passed by the living room, taking her to the bedroom.

“Help," Lyra screamed, she subconsciously bit Adrian's neck as a defense. Adrian rushed into the bedroom. Harrison was in the bedroom, waiting for Lyra.

Adrian groaned in pain as he pushed her to the bed, “Arghh.”

Her teeth detached from his neck as she sensed a thick liquid flowing to her teeth-his blood. She spat, panting heavily as she sat up on the bed.

“Gosh! I married a crazy lady,” Harrison commented.

“Have this,” Harrison said, as he hurled some documents at her. Adrian walked away as Harrison signaled with his hand.

Lyra raised her gaze at him. “What is this?” she questioned, and she took a look at the documents.

Lyra's face froze, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in shock, “A contract marriage?”

“Yeah, input your signature over there?” he announced as he pointed at the side she needed to input her name and signature

Lyra went through every text before grabbing the pen. She was excited about the terms and conditions of no close contact between parties only if she wanted “500 million dollars? That sounds like a lot,” Lyra bellowed, eagerly.

“Ermm…I'm not sure,” Lyra wavered the voice within, persuading her to sign the contract.

Harrison's brows knitted to a frown, “You would make a fool of yourself by rejecting this offer. Besides I'm aware your mother desperately needs the money for surgery.”

Lyra was strangely aroused by his knowledge of her mother. How did he get to know so much about her?

Her grip on the pen tightened as she remembered the disease Elsa's diagnosed with and how urgent she needed the surgery.

She read the contract again and then found the term she skipped earlier. “Why do we need to separate after Stephen Monroe's death? Who's he?” Lyra asked.