Chapter 6 A Child That Doesn't Have My Blood.

Lyra slowly opened her eyes and realized that she was in his bedroom. She turned to the man sleeping beside her and her cheek suddenly became flushed.

No matter how many times they had done it, she always became flustered at the sight of him. She wondered if he would call off his engagement with Sera if he found out that she was the Sterling family's real daughter and not Sera. Why is he so insistent on getting married to Sera anyway? It's not as if he loves her, and it's not as if he loves me, either. Lyra thought sadly.

She has always known that what Dore felt for her was lust, he loved her body but not her, and two years ago, he made it clear that their relationship would never be anything but sexual. She knows she is the foolish one who holds out hope that one day he will fall in love with her just as she has fallen for him.

"What are you thinking about?"

Lyra's eyes widened in surprise as she heard his voice, wondering when he had woken up.

"I wasn't thinking of anything" She replied, clearing her throat and settling back into the bed.

Dore ignored her weird behavior and glanced at the clock on his nightstand, sighing when he saw it was already 5 a.m. He pulled Lyra back into his arms and heard her murmur, "What are you doing?"

"Sleeping," he replied, his voice low and husky.

"But don't you need to get ready for work?" Lyra asked, her voice laced with concern.

Dore chuckled. "Aren't you the one who's always telling me I don't get enough sleep?"

Lyra's voice was laced with teasing. "Since when do you listen to me?"

Dore's response was playful. "Only when I feel like it. Now, go back to sleep, or do you need me to tire you out again?"

Lyra snuggled deeper into his chest, closing her eyes. "I'm already asleep."

Dore's soft chuckle filled the air as he kissed her forehead and went back to sleep.

...

The next time Lyra woke up, it was 9 am and the other side of the bed was empty. She saw a note on the nightstand that said, "I had an emergency, and there is food in the fridge, warm it when you get hungry."

Lyra smiled when she saw the message, she held the note to her chest and giggled loudly. She felt Dore had feelings for her and just had not realized it yet. Maybe there is still time for her to make Dore realize his feelings for her. After all, his wedding with Sera is in two months.

....

Two Months Later.

Sterling Mansion

Henry switched off the news and turned to his wife, saying, "The public is already making assumptions about TM Entertainment's bankruptcy."

"Relax. Sera's wedding with Dorian is in a week; with our daughter's marriage, TM Entertainment will rise again, so don't be so stressed out." Eleano advised 

Henry sighed and said "I guess you are right. Charlotte has sent an invitation for dinner tonight, and the good thing is that Ryan Vane will be around. Hopefully, Lyra will catch his eyes and....."

"Of course not. Are you thinking of getting the two girls married to the same family? That is ridiculous."

"What is so ridiculous about that? Lyra is a beautiful girl and I'm sure it won't be difficult for Ryan to fall in love with her."

"Lyra is an untamed child."

"And whose fault is that? You were the one who sent her to a boarding school at such a tender age."

"And you had no problem with it. And besides, Sera is going to be our heiress so there is no need for us to even be discussing this."

"Hold on a minute. What did you just say? Do you think that I will give everything that I have worked hard for to a child that doesn't have my blood?" Henry asked with a frown.

"Sera may not have our blood but she is our daughter. We made that decision the day we decided not to announce that Lyra is our legitimate child."

"We only agreed not to announce Lyra as our legitimate child to save face. What did you think would happen if people were to find out that our child was stolen under our noses and we weren't even aware of it? But, this does not mean that I will give all that I have to an outsider."

"Sera is your daughter and not an outsider. How do you think she would feel if she heard you say this." Eleano asked with a frown.

Henry sighed and said, "I love Sera, and you are right, she is my daughter, but my heir remains Lyra, and that is final. Go inform the girls about the dinner at Vane, I want no embarrassment tonight."

Eleano nodded and exited her husband's study, where she found Lyra on her phone, smiling. But as soon as Lyra noticed her mother's presence, her smile vanished. She quickly ended her call and turned to face Eleano, who was approaching her.

"Get ready, we're having dinner at Vane' tonight," Eleano announced.

Lyra nodded silently and headed to her room.

As Eleano watched her daughter go upstairs, she whispered to herself, "Why can't I completely get rid of you, Stella?"