"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.