Chapter 2 It’s done

Four days.

That's how long Daphne had said it'd take her guy to get the research without Alex noticing.

Of course Alex had done damage control—told the public that she was lying and she had no proof. That she'd just been upset Nadine was chosen for the position instead of her.

But very soon, she’d release the proof—Four days from now, when her mother’s research was safely out of Alex’s reach.

The kitchen door opened before she could even load the last plate in the dishwasher. Alex stood in the doorway.

Lyra’s eyes widened with shock, then she glared at him. “How did you get in? I changed the code.”

“It's not hard to guess that you'd change it from my birthday to yours.”

“Get out,” she said.

He didn't budge. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “You embarrassed me last night.”

Lyra stared at him for a moment, brows raising with disbelief. “Good.”

Alex's expression darkened. “You think this is a joke?”

A small laugh escaped her. “You cheated on me, gave your mistress the position I worked hard for. But you're the one who's embarrassed?”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, stepping forward. “Nadine isn’t my mistress.”

The confidence with which he said those words was almost admirable. If she hadn't seen that video… if she hadn't spent her whole night watching and rewatching it, then maybe she'd have believed this lie.

Her eyes blazed with fire just thinking about how many times he might have lied to her and gotten away with it.

“Leave my house,” she hissed.

When he noticed she was serious, his face softened. “Babe, I'm sorry, okay?” He tried to reach for her arm, but she retreated. He continued, “It doesn't mean anything. Nadine is just the director on paper, you're the one who'd actually do all the work.”

“I don't understand, is that supposed to be a good thing? I'd work and then she'd get all the accolades?”

His jaw twitched with restraint. “Fine, I'd take everything back. I'll give you the position. Just—”

“No. I don't want it anymore.” Lyra moved past him and walked to the door. She opened it. “Just leave.”

“I'll fix everything. Let's get married on Thursday and then I'll announce you as the new director—”

“No.” She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to control herself. “No matter what you say, my answer’s still no.”

Alex's gaze hardened then. “I suppose you don't need your mother's research.” He smirked. “You can start working on it afresh.”

“You don't have any right!” Lyra’s nails dug into her palms. “It’s my mother’s work.”

“Oh, I have every right. You're employed by me and you've been doing that project under Wilson Energy—using our funding and resources.”

He wasn’t completely wrong. She’d continued developing the research inside Wilson Energy, using the company’s funding, equipment, and servers. The latest working draft was stored on their system.

“Wow,” she murmured.

“Trust me, I didn't want to,” he said, leaving against the wall. “But you pushed me.”

Even in the midst of all the anger tightening in her chest, one question remained at the back of her mind. Why would he go to these lengths just to marry her? It was definitely not because he loved her—she could at least see that much now.

“Why? Why are you so hellbent on marrying me? Go and be with Nadine.”

He didn't answer.

Instead, he cupped her chin. “I'll give you till tomorrow morning. Sleep over it tonight.”

But the certainty in his gaze told her that he already knew what her answer would be. She was too attached to the project to let it go.

Go to hell, Alex.

~ ~ ~

Lyra stood at the altar, clad in the lacy white dress that her mother-in-law had picked out for her. Its sleeves were long and puffy, cinching at the waist, before its volume poured down freely.

She was facing Alex, who was wearing a black designer suit.

Before she walked down the aisle, the guy had told her ten minutes. That he'd be done in ten minutes.

So she was buying herself time.

She needed to keep Alex distracted and play along with whatever this was, until she got the confirmation that it was done.

Her phone was hidden inside her bouquet, pressed against her palm and she’d been waiting for it to vibrate ever since she stepped into the church.

“Lyra Davis, do you take this man, Alex Wilson, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, till death do you part?”

Lyra's stomach churned with anxiety. She swallowed, still waiting for the faint vibration.

Nothing yet.

Then she looked at Alex, her gaze sharp, piercing. She hesitated for a moment, watching beads of sweat form on his temple. “You're supposed to say ‘I do,’” he murmured, voice laced with urgency.

When she remained quiet, he ground his teeth. Then lowering his voice, he whispered, “Your mother's—”

“I do,” she replied, cutting him off.

The church seemed to exhale with relief.

Then the priest turned to Alex. “Alex Wilson, do you take this woman, Lyra Davis, as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, as long as you both shall live?"

Alex's lips parted, but no words came out. His attention was on something else behind her.

Lyra followed his line of sight to the front row where Nadine was sitting, clutching her chest.

“Nadine?” Alex called out, worry etched on his face.

Lyra almost rolled her eyes. Another of Nadine's tricks. She wondered how Alex was always so blind to it.

Alex was already moving to his fragile doll.

Nadine extended a hand, her breath coming out in short gasps. “Lex, please help me. I don't know what's wrong. I can't breat—”

Then Nadine collapsed to the ground.

Just at that moment, the phone vibrated against Lyra’s palm.

Her heart jumped and she looked down.

‘It’s done.’