Scarred by Love, Healed by Fate

Before Lyra could wrap her head around it, people started flocking to Renee, drinks in hand, piling on the compliments.

"Renee, Joel's so good to you—just handing over a supercar like it's nothing."

"That white dress is gorgeous—you look like a princess."

"Heard you're killer at racing—sweet and fierce. You and Joel are perfect together!"

The crowd around Renee kept growing, completely forgetting the party was supposed to be for Lyra.

An hour later, the place was buzzing—singing, games, people having a blast. Joel stayed glued to Renee's side, eyes never leaving her. When Renee reached for some crab, he stopped her, his voice low and gentle.

"Be good. You're pregnant—you can't eat that. Once the baby's born, I'll get it for you."

Renee pouted like she was about to throw a fit, so Joel sighed and pulled out an Amex Black Card, pressing it into her hand. The move sent another wave of whispers through the room.

"He's still stuck on Renee, huh?"

"Yeah... guess no one tops the first love. Poor Lyra."

Lyra just sat in the corner, messing with her phone, acting like none of it bothered her.

Renee scanned the room and spotted Lyra alone in the corner. Smirking, she strutted over in her heels. "This is your and Joel's bachelor party, but I stole the spotlight.

"Everyone's flocking to me, showering me with praise. You must be so pissed. But no matter how much it bugs you, all you can do is grit your teeth and take it.

"Stuck by Joel's side for five years—so what? The second I show up, I'm still the one he loves most."

Lyra didn't bite. She'd run out of tears the day she left the hospital.

When Lyra stayed silent, a chill flickered in Renee's eyes. She zeroed in on the chain bracelet around Lyra's wrist, jealousy flashing across her face. Suddenly, she yanked it off and gripped it tight.

Lyra snapped. "Are you crazy? What are you doing?"

She reached to grab it back, but Renee held on, knuckles white, rubbing the bracelet with a look of pure envy.

"I heard this was from Mrs. Fenwick—a gift for the future daughter-in-law, huh?"

Before Lyra could react, Renee shoved the bracelet into her mouth, yanking so hard at her lips that blood streaked down her chin. Red droplets hit the floor as she crumpled, the bracelet slipping from her hand.

Tears welled up as she looked up, sobbing.

"Lyra, I just thought Mrs. Fenwick's bracelet was pretty. Why did you shove it into my mouth? It hurts... it hurts so much..."

A dark blur shot past, shoving Lyra hard. She couldn't keep her balance and crashed into the table holding the giant celebration cake. Pain ripped through her head as the wound reopened, fresh blood trickling down. The cake toppled over her, sticky icing smearing everywhere.

Dazed and fighting back tears, she looked up just in time to see Joel rushing over—but not to her. He didn't even look her way, just pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from Renee's mouth, his eyes soft with worry.

Lyra finally got it—Renee was putting on one hell of a show.

Wiping frosting off her face, Lyra spotted the bracelet on the floor. She picked it up and walked over to Renee, catching Joel's glare like he expected her to snap. Instead, she calmly grabbed Renee's wrist and fastened the bracelet on.

"It's from Mrs. Fenwick. You like it, right? Keep it."

Renee just stared, totally forgetting to keep up the whole helpless act.

Joel frowned, clearly not getting what Lyra was up to.

"That's Mom's birthday gift to you. Only the Fenwick daughter-in-law's supposed to wear it."

Lyra pushed herself up, voice cold.

"She touched it. It's dirty now. I don't want it."

She didn't bother looking back, just limped out of the room. Behind her, Joel watched her leave, confusion clouding his face.

Later that night, he finally got home, cleaned up, and slipped into bed, sighing when he saw Lyra still turned away.

"Don't be mad. Stop picking on Renee. She really respects you, you know? Said she wants to patch things up, so... she'll be staying with us for a few days. Just... don't bully her, okay?"

Lyra kept her eyes shut, staying quiet for a beat. Then, in a calm, almost detached voice, she asked,

"If... and I'm just saying if... Renee wasn't 'Vesper,' would you still treat her like this?"

Joel brushed his fingers through her hair, his voice low and rough.

"She's like my sister. I'm good to her because she's Renee. Has nothing to do with being 'Vesper.'"

Lyra just hummed faintly, gaze dropping. One more day—she just had to hang on one more day.