Lyra stared at the screen.
Disbelieving. He just dropped the call like that. Is he really the Lucas Arden she knows?
Yes… that's him. Always turning a deaf ear, always vanishing, and then coming back later as if nothing ever happened.
Her fingers trembling slightly, placed the phone on table. She took a deep breath and pressed her trembling hands against her face, to hold herself together.
"It's okay, Lyra." she kept whispering.
"Everything will be fine." Her eyes blurred with tears, a quiet ache settling deep inside her.
…
The phone clattered on the table. Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, eyes shut for a moment.
"You won't dare," he murmured. "I know you well, Lyra."
"Nadia Klein!" he shouted. Hearing her name, she quickly stepped into the room.
"Yes, Mr. Arden," she replied.
"Any word from the shareholders?" he asked, clearly not in the mood.
"Ah, about that," she began carefully. "They've asked to move the meeting to the evening. Most of them are tied up with other appointments in the morning."
He let out a heavy sigh. "Call Hudson in," he ordered, waving her off dismissively.
Nadia bowed slightly and stepped out of the room. Outside, she was over the moon because Lucas Arden wasn't getting married tomorrow. It was her temporary joy, but still, it felt worth it.
"Lyra Ashford, your end is near," she whispered under her breath.
…
Lyra failed to notice the door slowly creaking open, inch by inch, as pairs of curious eyes peeked inside.
Some nurses had gathered in the pantry, chatting quietly.
"Ahem!" The young doctor cleared his throat loudly.
"What's all this commotion?" he asked, twirling his finger toward them.
"Hush, Dr. Edris," they glance around nervously, and motioned for him to come closer.
He raised his brows and stepped forward in curiosity. The nurse whispered something into his ear. A faint frown tugged at his brows.
They didn't notice the woman in scrubs who had slipped in behind them and every word reached her ears.
"Sooner or later, people will find out." She stepped back and leaned against the doorframe.
The nurses stiffened, exchanging uneasy glances. They all knew Chloe had never liked Lyra and none of them liked the thought of her stirring up trouble again.
"Refrain yourself, Dr. Windsor!" Edris warned, his voice low but firm.
"Nah…" Chloe waved her hand in the air. "She rejected you once, remember? Why would you protect her?" A smirk curled her lips.
"Serves her right." The satisfaction in her tone left a bitter taste in the air. She pushed herself off the frame and waved them bye bye.
…
"Dr. Ashford…" A soft knock came at the door. She flinched. The voice was none other than Nurse Tan's, her grandmother's closest friend. Quickly, she reached for a tissue, wiping her tears carelessly.
The middle-aged nurse entered her room, frowning.
Lyra forced a bright smile, but it looked painfully out of place. Her shoulders still trembled, and she sniffled quietly, her eyes swollen and red from crying.
"Oh, my dear." Nora pulled up a chair and sat beside her.
"Did you chop onions?"
Lyra shook her head.
"But…your eyes look rosier than my lipstick."
Lyra let out a small, shaky breath. She almost laughed, but her sadness was overwhelming. Nora's expression softened with concern when she saw her tears. She reached over, giving Lyra's shoulder a gentle pat.
"You look upset. What happened?"
Actually, Nora already knew. It was all thanks to Chloe's big mouth. She had gone around telling everyone about Lyra's massive fight with her fiancé. By now, everyone knew Lyra had declared she wanted to break things off.
"Nora."
Slowly, she found Nora's hand, as if the touch could lend her strength. She took a trembling breath.
"Lucas and I—we…"
Nora squinted, eyes narrowing. "Who's that Lucas boy?" she asked before Lyra could even complete her sentence.
Lyra blinked, her mind stuttering, wondering if this middle-aged woman had amnesia.
"Lucas—my fiancé. But not anymore. WE-BROKE-UP."
She hurriedly finished her sentence in one breath, emphasizing the last three words before Nora could cut her off a second time.
Recognition suddenly lit up Nora's face.
"Oo—oh," she drawled, the sound stretching out as her eyes rounded.
"Ah, that jerk…"
The one who'd made Lyra cry more times than she could count. Nora made a fist and glared, as if she were about to punch someone.
Lyra pinched the bridge of her nose.
Thanks to Nora, the weight in her heart had lifted, half of it, at least.
"Nora, help me," Lyra begged, her hands clutching Nora's.
"I'm more worried about Grandma… how she'll take the news?" Lyra fretted.
"Oh, my dear… Agnes's tougher than a double-shot espresso," Nora said, giving Lyra's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"How am I supposed to know Grandma can handle this?" Lyra whispered, her gaze falling to the floor.
Nora pressed her lips together, thinking for a moment before an idea sparked in her eyes.
"Let me talk to Agnes. Wait here, I'll grab my bag."
"Okay, Nora. I'll wait for you at the entrance," she said quickly, agreeing without hesitation.
Lyra hurried pack her things and left the room in a rush.
Her car sat at the far end of the parking lot, so she had to cross a long stretch of pavement before she could reach it.
Halfway to her car, a strange feeling crept over her. Someone was following her.
She walked faster, but the echo of footsteps matched her every move.