Chapter 3 Before He’s Yours

By seven in the evening, the Sterling mansion was packed. The place looked incredible with all the decorations, and the guests were already enjoying the food and drinks.

The room went quiet when Sera appeared at the top of the stairs, looking elegant with her mother right by her side. Sera kept a perfect, sweet smile on her face for the crowd, but she leaned in and whispered to Eleanor, "Where’s Lyra?"

"Don't worry about her," Eleanor whispered back. "She’s probably still hiding in her room. I’ll send a maid to go get her."

While everyone was inside, Lyra was actually outside. She was standing at the edge of the driveway in a light blue dress, staring toward the house. She just wanted one last glimpse of him before he officially became her sister’s fiancé and was gone for good.

It had been an hour since she had been standing here, and a little hope had flared in her heart that maybe he might not come, but just then, she saw a familiar car coming her way and stood in front of the road.

Ethan immediately stopped the car as a young girl jumped in front of the road. He frowned when he saw her and whispered to himself "What is she doing here?"

Dore, who had already woken up from his sleep, opened his eyes and narrowed his brow when he saw her and then he said, "Ask her to come in and then leave us."

Ethan turned to him and was about to argue but the cold glare from Dore was enough for him to shut his mouth. He came down from the car, walked to Lyra, and said, "If I knew it was you, then I would have run you over."

Lyra clenched her fist at the hostility in Ethan's voice and said, "I just want to talk to him."

Ethan shook his head and said, "You can go ahead, but I feel pity for you. If only the Sterling family knew that they had adopted a snake in their midst. It is only your wishful thinking that makes you think he will choose an adopted child over a legitimate one."

Without saying anything, Lyra walked past him and towards the car.

Ethan watched her and let out a sigh. Though his words were harsh it was the truth. It's been two years since that night, and even now, he has not fully understood the relationship between his master and this girl, he just hoped that his boss would put an end to it tonight.

Lyra entered the car and the first thing she heard was his harsh voice.

"Are you insane? What if he had run you over?"

"Then you would have taken me to the hospital," Lyra replied with a smile.

Dore scoffed and asked, "Do you think I would abandon my engagement ceremony with Sera for your sake?"

"Yes "

"Are you still dreaming, Eli?"

"Maybe," Lyra replied. She sighed and said, "It's been a month since I last saw you, and you have already lost so much weight. I'm sure you are neither eating nor sleeping well."

"Do you think I have forgiven you for lying to me?" Dore asked coldly.

Lyra was taken aback by his question and then asked "So, do you hate me now?"

"I do not hate you, I feel nothing for you."

"That is even worse. You are a cold man, Vane."

"Our relationship was purely sexual, and if I had known who you were at the beginning, then it never would have happened."

"Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night? Have you even been sleeping?" Lyra asked as she noticed the tiredness in his eyes.

When he didn't reply and only stared at her, Lyra said, "Anyway, I'm leaving, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Apart from losing some weight, you are still the same, and yes, today may be your engagement ceremony, but make sure you don't drink too much, I don't need to remind you how bad too much alcohol is to your stomach. Also don't forget to call me if you need me."

After saying those words, she was about to leave when Dore held her hands and said, "Don't make trouble, I mean it. Behave yourself, Eli."

"I love it when you call me Eli, it makes me feel special." Lyra said with a smile. She opened her purse and said, "I got you something." She bought out two cufflinks and wore them on him.

Dore just watched her without doing or saying anything. Even though he never admitted it, he had a weak spot for her. The fact that she was the adopted daughter of the Sterling family brought a little comfort to his heart, at least she wasn't related to those monsters by blood.

"Now you look more handsome, if only you smiled more often." Lyra said and noticed how close they were, and without thinking any further, she closed the distance between them with a kiss, and it was a passionate one. After a few seconds, Lyra slowly pulled away and whispered, "Judging by the way you returned my kiss, I guess a month wasn't enough to get me out of your system."

Dore's eyes went to her swollen lips, and the desire to bite it until he heard her soft whimper almost drove him crazy, but hearing her arrogant words made him control himself and ask, "Aren't you beginning to think too highly of yourself?"

Lyra smiled and pecked his lips one last time as she said "Think of me."

Dore watched as she left and let out a deep breath. What pissed him off the most was because she was right, a month wasn't enough to get over her. Even though he didn't speak to her for a month, he was always keeping an eye on her, ensuring her sharp tongue and her reckless behavior didn't lead her into trouble.

Ethan entered the car when he saw Lyra leaving and looked at his boss who looked lost in thought, he wondered what type of charm Lyra used for his boss to make him unable to end things with her.

Women are really dangerous creatures, especially the ones with the most innocent face. Ethan thought to himself as he started the car and continued his journey to the Sterling Mansion