Magnus stiffened when he saw me. His eyes widened.
“Lyra… I—”
“Don’t,” I cut in. “I’m not here to ruin your celebration. I was passing through. Since you’re all gathered, I’ll make it quick.”
I stepped forward.
“I’m leaving.”
Silence fell over the hall.
Then Magnus’ face hardened.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped.
Right on cue, Elara began to cry.
“Oh my God,” she sobbed. “Lyra, I’m so sorry. Please don’t go because of me. I never wanted this to hurt you.”
I stared at her. She couldn’t have sounded more fake if she tried.
Magnus grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away. I shoved him back hard enough that he stumbled.
“Don’t put your filthy hands on me,” I hissed.
His jaw clenched. “We’re talking somewhere private.”
Before he could move, Ian and Vale rushed me. Small fists. Hard hits. Ten-year-old rage sharpened into weapons.
“You evil woman!” Ian screamed, punching my side. “You made our mom cry!”
Vale hit me too—right where my arm still burned from earlier.
Elara dabbed at her tears, pretending to be weak.
“Stop, boys. I’m fine.”
But she didn’t stop them.
She never did.
Then Vale suddenly bolted from the hall. I barely had time to register it before he returned, holding a small jar.
The second I saw it, my blood turned to ice.
“No!” I screamed, lunging forward.
Vale laughed—and dropped it.
The jar shattered against the marble floor with a crack like a gunshot. Ash scattered across the tiles. Soft. Grey. Sacred.
My mother.
Gone. Spilled under strangers’ feet like dirt.
For a second, my mind refused to process it. Then my world tilted.
“What did you do?!” I screamed.
Ian stepped closer, eyes cold. “If you ever hurt our new mom again, you’ll regret it.”
Whispers spread through the crowd.
“That’s the Don’s former woman.”
“The one who refused to leave.”
“So shameless.”
“She’s ruining the engagement.”
“And Elara’s still defending her… what a saint.”
“What a wicked woman.”
My hands clenched until my nails bit into my skin.
“Say whatever you want!” I shouted. “Those kids—”
“That’s enough!” Magnus roared.
I saw his hand lift. I refused to let it land.
I caught his wrist and slapped him—once, then again. The sound cracked through the hall.
“Go to hell, Magnus.”
I turned and walked out.
I didn’t run. Tears blurred my vision, but I kept moving because I knew the second I stopped, I’d collapse.
When I reached my room, the emptiness hit me like a fist.