Chapter 60
Just as I struggled to find my voice, another presence appeared.” “Luke? What’s wrong?“, My sister’s voice.N
She walked up beside him, slipping her arm through his possessively, her eyes wary–like she was claiming her territory. Her gaze flickered to me, sharp and searching. I clenched my fists, something inside me snapping. I couldn’t do this anymore.” “Sister,” I whispered, my voice shaking, “Did you know that Luke was my boyfriend?”
Her body stiffened. The warmth in her expression faded, replaced by a flicker of something else. Something unreadable.” “You always act so noble. How could you take your own sister’s boyfriend?” My voice cracked, my vision blurred by fresh tears. For a moment, my sister looked pale–shocked. She took a step back, shaking her head.”
“Lyra, what… what are you saying?“. Her voice trembled, laced with panic. “I didn’t know. I really didn’t know…“. She covered her face with her hands and turned, running toward the bedroom.
With a loud bang, the door slammed shut. From inside, muffled sobs echoed through the house. Then came the storm. Dad’s face twisted in anger as he stormed toward me.N
“Lyra! What did you say to your sister?!“. His voice was sharp, filled with fury. “Did you bully her again?!”
His wife–my sister’s mother–pointed an accusing finger at me.”
You wretched girl! Ever since you came back, this house has been nothing but chaos!“”
“You
Luke took a step forward, his eyes now cold and full of warning. “Lyra, watch your mouth.“. His voice was low, but the threat in it was unmistakable. “No matter what happens, if you dare tell Nancy anything else… I won’t let you go.“”
I stared at him, my heart twisting like a knife plunged deep into my chest.
“Luke, how on earth do you plan on keeping me?” I lifted my head, locking eyes with him. “Are you going to kill me?”
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips before I continued. “Or… are you just going to throw me away like garbage?“. My voice was hoarse, raw with desperation. I needed to know. I needed to understand what I truly meant to him. But he refused to answer. From the other room, my sister’s sobs rang out, her cries shaking the walls.\
“I’m sorry, Lyra… ! didn’t know… I really didn’t know…“N
She repeated it over and over, her voice trembling with grief. The sharp sound of her palm striking her own cheek echoed through the house. Slap. Slap. Again and again. Dad and Nancy’s mother were devastated, their voices thick with concern as they rushed to console her.
“Nancy, it’s not your fault. Don’t do this to yourself…”
“It’s that cursed girl! She just couldn’t stand to see you happy!”
They surrounded her, comforting her, pampering her, treating her like the most fragile thing in the world. And me? I stood alone in the living room, an outsider in my own home.”
I reached into my pocket, fingers trembling and pulled out the pregnancy test I had secretly bought.”
Holding my breath, I took the test. Two bars. Bright. Red. Unmistakable. I was pregnant. I was really pregnant. I stared at the results, my lips curling into a laugh–harsh, bitter, broken. Tears spilled down my face as I laughed harder.
Fine. If they wanted to put on a show, then I would play along. Let’s see how long they can keep up this act. Let’s see how my sister plans to continue playing the innocent victim.”
