"Lucian doesn't want you anymore? Do you have any idea how hard the Aldridge Family is struggling right now? And you're just going to let go of someone like Lucian?"

A sharp pain surged through my lower abdomen and I curled up on the sofa, gasping for air as I clutched the phone.

"Mom, I've taken care of the funds."

After hearing my answer, she finally believed me.

But my mind was starting to drift.

"Since Lucian doesn't want you anymore, why not marry that blind man from the Thorne Family in the north of the city? The Aldridge Family has supported you all these years, you should..."

"Alright, I'll do as you wish."

Before she could finish, I cut her off and hung up the phone. The few words drained me completely.

Who I married no longer matters. What the Aldridge Family needed now was money and resources to rebuild and get my father out of prison.

The thought of resting at home shattered in that instant.

As I packed up my things, I realized, after living here for ten years, I had so little.

Lucian’s presence felt even more distant.

Looking at the empty, cold house, a wave of sadness and emptiness washed over me.

I wiped away my tears and began sealing my luggage, feeling the weight of the moment.

Just as I sat down, the door creaked open. Lucian stood there, dressed in a black suit, the bright light above casting a stark shadow on him.

Standing beside him was none other than Astrid.

“Lyra!” Astrid smiled and rushed to me, pulling me into a tight embrace. “I’ve missed you so much, Lyra.”

Sometimes, I couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly Astrid played the role of the perfect, most affectionate friend.

I also admired Lucian. It took him less than half an hour after signing the contract to get Astrid back.

And now, here they were.

Lucian’s face remained expressionless as he spoke, "Astrid just came back. She said she really wanted to see you, so I brought her over."

As they stepped inside, his footsteps faltered slightly as his gaze swept over the packed boxes.

"Are you moving out?"

His casual question made my heart skip a beat.

"You don’t have to move out. I won’t need this place and Astrid won’t be living here either."

Astrid's expression changed slightly, her grip on my hand tightening. She turned to me with a smile, pulling my hand along.

"That's right. Lucian told me. Over the years, you've taken care of him so much. This house is a little gesture from us to show our appreciation."

Taken care of...

Did Lucian really say that to Astrid?

Of course, he couldn’t let her know about our relationship. He probably thought that Astrid would always remain pure and spotless. What he didn’t realize was that she knew everything.

"I don’t need it anymore. I’ve already found another place to live," I replied, standing up to pack my things. A wave of dizziness hit me and I struggled to stay steady on my feet.

Lucian reached out to steady me. He frowned as he looked at me. "Your face looks really pale. What’s wrong?"

His question, so casual yet tinged with concern, made me feel a little dazed. It was as though the person who made me get the abortion was not him.

"Lyra, what happened to you?" Astrid’s face was full of concern as she took my hand.

“Is it because you’ve been too busy with work lately? Lucian! With what’s happening to the Aldridge Family, how can you not help Lyra…?”

Her tone was sweet with a hint of playful reproach, while Lucian patiently comforted her.

Their closeness, indifferent to my presence, made me feel nauseous.

“You two keep acting, I’m leaving,” I said sharply, standing up and turning to walk away.

Lucian’s expression darkened instantly, his face filled with frustration.

"What do you mean by that? The first thing Astrid did when she came back was visit you and this is how you act? Lyra, have you ever learned how to speak nicely?"

The large living room fell into an eerie silence.

Astrid, smiling awkwardly, gently pulled at Lucian's arm, quietly saying that she didn’t mind.

But Lucian's anger seemed like it could tear the roof off. "Apologize to Astrid! Or the contract will be void!"

I took a deep breath and turned around. "Astrid, do you want me to apologize?"

Astrid shook her head repeatedly, her face full of panic. "Lyra, please don’t do this. You’re my best friend. I don’t want you two to end up on bad terms…"

As she spoke, Astrid's tears began to fall.

Lucian, heartbroken, hugged Astrid tightly.

As I was leaving, I glanced back and met Astrid's gaze.

"Lyra, you’ve lost again."

I sneered inwardly a few times and left without looking back.

The next day, I heard the story of Lucian and Astrid's reconciliation from the mouths of several people.

It was the love story of a rich young heir and a pure, quiet flower reuniting after ten years stirred up a storm in the circle.

Standing beneath the big screen at the crossroads, I saw the welcome party Lucian held for Astrid.

It was comparable to a century wedding.

The sound of a car horn echoed and a black sedan stopped in front of me.

The window rolled down and a man's sharp profile, as if carved from stone, came into view.

He wore sunglasses and the silver cane beside him glinted coldly in the light.

"Mr. Thorne?"

The driver spoke up first, "Miss Aldridge, please get in the car."

The confined space made me hold my breath, afraid to make a sound and disturb him.

We drove in silence and it wasn't until the car stopped that I realized he had brought me to the Prescott Family's evening banquet.

I instinctively tried to pull away, but Quillon held my wrist firmly. "Miss Aldridge, I wouldn't want someone who can't let go of their past."

His deep voice lingered in my ear, almost overpowering, making it hard for me to resist.

"Lyra, what are you doing here?" I heard Lucian's voice behind me.

Turning around, I saw him and Astrid standing there.

The expression on Lucian’s face, once neutral, immediately darkened upon seeing me.

He fixed his gaze on the hand Quillon had firmly grasped.

I couldn't tell if it was just my imagination, but there seemed to be a flicker of frustration in his eyes.

“Help me.” Quillon swung his arm effortlessly, his cane tapping the floor with a sharp click.

I placed my hand on his arm as the rhythmic sound of the cane echoed through the space.

Quillon guided me forward to stand before them. “I've brought a small gift, just a gesture of respect.”

Quillon’s simple words were enough for him to place the gift directly into Astrid's hands.

Before Astrid could even thank him, he had already stepped into the venue.

The way he moved, so skilled and confident, made it hard to believe he was blind.

Lucian grasped my hand tightly and, in a low voice, asked, “You’re wearing such high heels. Are you planning to run in them?”

I furrowed my brows, confused by the sudden question, wondering what exactly was behind his words.

But when I turned around to look at Quillon, stumbling as he moved blindly, I couldn't help but feel worried.

"Mr. Prescott, maybe you should focus on your own girlfriend," I said quickly, then rushed to catch up and took Lucian’s hand.

Lucian glanced at my retreating figure and then at his empty hand, feeling an unfamiliar emptiness in his chest.

It tugged at his heart, a dull pain gnawing at him.

"I'll count to ten," Quillon said. "If you're late by even a second, the Thorne Family's plan to rescue your father will be called off."