Chapter 5 Ten O’Clock Shadows

Once slipped the ring onto Sera’s finger, he didn't stick around long—a phone call pulled him away just minutes later.

Sera was mortified as she caught the guests whispering about his sudden exit. Eleanor stepped in immediately, playing the part of the protective mother, and shut the party down early to save face. By ten o'clock, the house was empty of guests, leaving only the staff to deal with the mess.

Lyra was feeling pretty down since her grandmother never showed up. She was heading up to her room to call it a night when Sera blocked her path.

"Aren't you going to say congratulations?" Sera asked. "Literally everyone else has, except for my own sister."

Lyra looked at her with a dead expression. "Am I actually your sister?"

Sera started to reply but stopped herself when she realized the maids were eavesdropping. Turning to the head maid, she forced a polite tone. "It's late. Everyone should just head to bed; the cleaning can wait until morning.

Nanny Susan nodded with a smile and told all the maids to go get some rest at the servant quarter. After they were all gone, Sera looked at her sister and said, "Your temper is what makes people criticize you. Anyway, once I get married to Dore, I will make sure to find a perfect match for you as well."

"Is that your way of compensating me? You took my parents and my life. Thanks to you, I am now seen as the adopted daughter instead of the legitimate one, and now you are taking a man who is supposed to be my husband, and all you can say is that you will make sure to find a perfect match for me?"

"I am sorry if you feel wrong, but this was Mom and Dad's decision, and besides, you haven't actually been living a bad life. Perhaps you will completely have your parents back once I become Dore's wife," Sera said softly.

"You spoke so softly, but why can I hear the arrogance in your voice? I hope years of people calling you Sera Sterling haven't made you forget your true roots. You haven't forgotten whose daughter you are, right?" Lyra asked with a mocking smile.

Sera clenched her fist tightly at Lyra's question and said, "I am..."

"You are Sera Foster, the daughter of a maid and a drunkard. Do you get it? It is their blood that runs in your veins, and no matter how hard you try to hide it with your soft voice and polite manners, it still wouldn't change how dirty you truly are. Yes, people call me the adopted daughter of the Sterling family, and they praise you but never forget this, Sera, you are not even worth cleaning my shoes."

"You are saying all this just because you are angry and bitter about my engagement with Dore."

"You are engaged to him, not married. So keep your smug comments to yourself and never forget your place. Always remember that you and your mother are nothing but trash." Lyra said and was about to climb up the stairs when she heard Sera's voice.

"What is the use of being the legitimate one if your parents don't see you as one? No one loves you, Lyra. Not your parents, not even my mother, who adopted you was able to love you. I, on the other hand, am loved by your parents and will soon be happily married to Dore. What is the use of your noble blood if you have no worth?"

"What does a petty thief know about worth? Don't make me laugh, Sera Foster."

Sera clenched her fist with anger as she watched Lyra climb the stairs. Hatred and anger burned in her heart as she remembered Lyra's words, "I will make you pay for these words tonight, Lyra, no matter what I have to do, I will make sure that I reduce you into nothing."

.....

"For someone who got engaged today, you don't sound happy."

Dore stared at the ceiling as he put his brother on speaker and said, "The engagement is a means to an end. Don't bother about it."

"You know, I did some digging on her, Sera Sterling. She seems like a good girl, I doubt it will be difficult for you to fall in love with her. " Ryan said.

"You must be less busy since you have time to be investigating my fiancee."

"Even if I am extremely busy, I must make time for my brother. Besides, I wanted to confirm that the girl my big brother is about to spend his life with is a good person."

"And if she wasn't?" Dore asked with a smile.

"Then it doesn't matter as long as she loves you and would never hurt you because if she does then I will kill her," Ryan said calmly.

Dore finally took his eyes off the ceiling and looked at his phone, "Be careful of what you say, and also, there is no need for you to attend the wedding."

"If I don't attend my brother's wedding, then who will? I will be there and there is nothing you can say to persuade me." Ryan said firmly.

"Do as you wish," Dore replied and ended the call.

He noticed the time was 12:30 am and then decided to get himself a glass of water before going to sleep.

He went to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water, but just as he was about to take a sip, the doorbell rang. He set the glass on the counter and headed to the front door.

Dore held the door handle for a few seconds before opening it, and behold, it was her standing in front of him.

"Won't you invite in?" Lyra asked

Without a word, Dorian drew her inside, closed the door behind them, and pressed his lips to hers with a passionate intensity.

Their lips met in a fiery explosion of passion as if the pent-up desire between them had finally found its release. Doreary's mouth claimed hers with a fierce tenderness, his lips moving with a hunger that left her breathless. His tongue danced with hers, sending shivers down her spine as he deepened the kiss.

Her hands instinctively wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as she surrendered to the intensity of the moment, and a soft moan left her mouth as he caressed her body with his hands.

Dore slowly pulled away but still held her close to him. "Did you enjoy spending the evening with Jason? You just couldn't stop laughing. Does he make you happy that much?"

Lyra was first confused by the question, then she smiled and asked, "Are you perhaps jealous?"

"Yes."

Lyra was surprised that he admitted it and her smile brightened.

"Are you that happy to know that I'm jealous?" Dore asked softly.

Lyra nodded and said, "It means you still care about me."

"I never stopped caring."

"Then why are....." Lyra felt a hand on her lips before she could complete her question.

"Don't ask, please." Dore pleaded as he placed his forehead on hers.

Lyra nodded and captured his lips with hers. 

As their passion intensified, Lyra wrapped her legs around him without breaking their kiss, and he carried her to the couch.

Lyra giggled as he moved his lips to her neck while undressing her. "Shouldn't we go to the bedroom?"

"Too far." Dore replied and kissed her in a hurry as he whispered "I want you now."

His words were immediately followed by his actions as she felt him in her. Her soft moans made him crazy, and it was difficult to be gentle with her. Only this woman was capable of driving him this crazy and incapable of thinking properly.

He felt her nails leave a mark on his back, but he didn't stop. He wanted more of her, more of her moans and her screams, he just wanted to consume this woman who had taken over his thoughts.

As they surrendered to their passion, they both moaned in ecstasy, their pleasure intensifying until they finally collapsed, exhausted and satiated.