Chapter 2 People don’t change easily

The soft hum of machines and the smell of antiseptic and drugs sifted through the air in Crestmont Medical Center. 

In Ward 105, Lyra slowly blinked her eyes open. She looked around, trying to take in the unfamiliar surroundings. Then she spotted Alex by her bed, jaw tight, glaring at her.

“Alex?” she murmured.

“What's the meaning of what you did?” He asked instead. 

“God, Lex,” Nadine whined from the entrance. “The blogs are saying all sorts of things. That I slept my way to the top. That I've slept with more executives than there are chairs in the boardroom.”

“What? That's like twelve chairs?” Alex muttered without thinking. 

But Nadine didn't hear him and just kept on ranting. “The comments are wild—'Her job title should have come with knee pads.’ ‘Atp, HR should just replace her chair with a bed.’ ‘Company mattress.’ Gosh, how do I recover from this?”

Alex's jaw clenched. “Look what you've done!” He snapped at Lyra. “You ruined Nadine's reputation!!”

Lyra pressed her eyes shut, her mind drifting back to the hall. The embarrassment… The look on the guests' faces… The headlines it'll make. Her chest felt too heavy. Was it even worth it?

Nadine moved, her steps timid. She walked to Lyra’s bedside. “I know you hate me. But tearing me down like this… Don't you think it's a bit too much? We’re still besties, after all. And what happened between me and Alex was—”

“Don't apologize.” Alex interrupted, his arm wrapping around Nadine's waist protectively. “She doesn't deserve it.”

Lyra’s eyes were still shut, hands fisting the sheets. Breathe, breathe. Count to ten.

“Lyra,” Alex called after a moment, voice hard. “You're going to fix everything. You're going to apologize to Nad, and you're going to fix her reputation.”

“How will I do that?” Lyra finally opened her eyes. She exhaled, her grip tightening on the fabric as she threw Alex a glare—pointed, accusing. “And why? Didn't you sleep with her?”

Nadine's eyes widened as though she didn't expect Lyra to defend herself. “Mum literally took you as a daughter. She'd be so disappointed,” she murmured. 

“I really wish I gave a shit about you or your mother right now,” Lyra hissed.

Nadine let out a dramatic gasp and pretended to fall. Alex caught her quickly—as always. “Nad,” his voice was soft and affectionate. “You need to rest. I'll get a private room.” Then he scooped Nadine in his arms and headed for the exit. 

“Alex?!” Lyra sat up immediately. “Where are you going?”

“Can't you see Nad isn't feeling well?” He snapped without looking back. 

Then he kicked the door shut, leaving cold silence behind. 

Lyra’s chest heaved. 

She shut her eyes and tried to sleep away the pain. Sleep didn't come immediately, but after what felt like hours, she dozed off.

She didn't know how much time had passed. But when she blinked again, she heard two nurses in the room. 

“Those two are really shameless,” one of the nurses said. “Even after calling them out, they're still acting like lovebirds.”

“You're right,” the other sneered. “He even booked a private room for her while his fiancée stayed here alone.” 

“Mmhm, men will leave you in a desert without water.”

“Tell me about it! I heard she even helped his career. If I were her, I'll make she he married me quickly, before that slut steals him.”

Lyra exhaled loudly and opened her eyes; she was tired of hearing them talk about her pathetic situation. 

“I've changed your IV,” the first nurse said nervously, uneasy about how much Lyra had heard. “Just ring us if you need anything.” Then both nurses left quickly.

Suddenly the door opened.

Alex walked in. He sat beside Lyra, his voice tender as he asked how she was doing. 

Lyra, who was backing him, shrugged casually. “Like you care.” 

“Of course I care.” He cupped her chin, turning her to face him. “You're my woman.”

His touch was like filth on her face. She slapped his hand away, face twisting with irritation. “Don't touch me! You say I'm your woman, yet you spent the night with Nadine.”

Alex winced like a hurt puppy.

“Don't forget you're the one that made her ill with that stunt you pulled,” he accused. When she remained silent, he took her hand tenderly. “Plus, you know that Nadine is fragile... I mean, unlike you. You have tough skin, and I love you for it. But Nad is different.”

Lyra just huffed but didn't say anything. His speech was nauseating and she heard what he didn't say—‘I love you because you're easy. I stay because you put up with all my shit.’

And she was done with that.

“Let's get married this weekend,” he blurted. “You're the one I want to be with forever. I'll rectify everything—you're the new director.”

Lyra raised a brow at his statement and let out a small self-deprecative laugh. Alex had been pushing off their wedding since forever, why would he suddenly want this? And he's giving her the position she wanted too?? There's something fishy going on. What did he want? “But…?” She asked instead.

He sighed. “You have to clear Nadine's name first. What happened between us was nothing. Remember she's your best friend and you're ruining her career. I don't see you as someone who'll do something that evil.”

“She’s my best friend?” Lyra echoed, sarcasm coloring her tone. “Funny how both of you only bring that up when you need to manipulate me. Why didn't she think of that when she was bent over in front of you?! Or why didn't you think of it before pounding her mercilessly?” Lyra ran a palm down her face, tears spilling. Again, was this worth it? “God, I hate myself. I can't do this anym—”

“Shhhh… Please don't say that,” Alex cut in. He pulled Lyra into his embrace and kissed her forehead. “I'm sorry; I’m really sorry. Please don't throw away all the good times just because of a mistake. She doesn't mean anything to me.”

Lyra just withdrew from him, eyes cold.

“C’mon, you know I deserve another chance to make it right. Remember I've been here for you through thick and thin.” His voice softened. “I love you, I swear. And I won't let her—or anyone else, come between us.”

Lyra squeezed her eyes shut, and sobbed quietly. 

Alex always knew the words to say. 

The memory of her mother, Sam, always made her heart ache. Losing Sam had broken something in her. And somehow, during the mess of grief, Alex had become… familiar.

Yet he sat here, feeding her lies like she was some toddler. 

If she stopped here, she loses it all. Everything goes to waste. But what if she gave him one more chance and it worked out? What if it was different this time? What if this was the one chance she took and got the old Alex back?

“Just us?” She whispered, trying not to sound too hopeful. “And I'll be the director? Is that a promise?”

He nodded, wiped her eyes with his thumb. And lifting her palm to his lips, he kissed it. “I swear.”

Her stomach twisted with disgust at his actions but she swallowed it. 

‘Once bitten, twice shy. People don't change easily,’ the words echoed in her mind, but she brushed them off. “Fine, just one chance. Nothing more.”

A week later,

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. 

“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. Then she smiled at Alex. “I do.”

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 was silent. Lyra swallowed, the anxiety in her belly doubled and converted to fear as she stared at Alex. His eyes were on the front row where Nadine was sitting, clutching her chest.