CHAPTER 55: WOUNDED, MISSING HIM

"What did that week feel like for you?"

Lewis set his pen aside and leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand. His gaze stayed fixed on Lyra, who was curled up in the reclining chair, a soft plush pillow pressed against her cheek.

Lyra drew a slow breath, already bracing herself for the weight of the question. She shut her eyes for a moment, sifting through the chaos inside her until she reached the truth.

"It feels heavy... and it hurts," she whispered.

"And what do you hope for from your husband?" Lewis asked, careful not to push her.

"What do I hope? Um..." She thought for a moment.

"I want to see his smile... and I miss his warm hugs so much."

Her eyes turned red, and she didn’t bother wiping away the warmth gathering on her cheeks.

"I can feel him avoiding me, and it hurts. Sometimes I feel like ignoring him back... the way I used to with Lucas. What do you think?"

Lewis leaned back in his chair, relaxing into the padded seat.

"You can do that—if it actually brings you some relief. But if it ends up hurting you even more... don’t.

Seriously, you’re allowed to do whatever you need. Put your own feelings, your health, and your peace before anyone else’s."

"Okay... I understand." Lyra reached for the tissue box beside the chair and dabbed away her tears.

"One more thing is bothering me, Lewis."

She let out a slow sigh.

"What is it?"

This time, Lewis stood up from his seat and poured her a glass of water. He set it on the coffee table before returning to his desk.

"Lewis... what if all this time I thought Lucas was my first love? But after a few years, things fell apart and I gave up on us, the truth has come out—my first love was actually Owen, not Lucas. How does that even make sense?"

"Ouch." Lewis winced for her, his face tightening with sympathy.

"Hearing that already hurts... but I’m confused too. Tell me how it ended up that way."

Lyra told Lewis everything Lucas had revealed before disappearing for good. The story made Lewis pinch the bridge of his nose.

"So the file is with the investigator now?" Lewis asked.

"Yes."

"And if all of that turns out to be true... what are you going to do?" he added, asking the very question Lyra herself couldn’t answer.

She didn’t respond.

Lewis studied her face for a long moment. Lyra seemed completely lost in her own thoughts.

"Lyra..."

He stood up from his seat and walked over to her, taking the stool beside her.

"Don’t stress yourself by trying to think about everything at once. You can’t hold everything in one hand. I’m giving you some time off and some medication. Go home and rest. Don’t think about anything until you feel settled... okay?"

Lyra nodded.

Before she left, Lewis pulled her into a gentle hug and patted her back.

"You’re not alone. Come by if you ever need me, okay? Take care."

"Thanks, Lewis. Bye."

She managed a small smile, then headed to the pharmacy counter before walking home.

When she entered the Arlington penthouse, the first thing she noticed was the empty space where Rowan’s car should’ve been. Her heart sank.

What if he didn’t come home again tonight...

Lyra dragged herself upstairs, took a quick shower, ate a piece of bread, and swallowed her medication.

The drowsiness came quickly.

Before she realized it, she had dozed off—falling asleep much earlier than usual.

The next morning, the door clicked open and Meredith walked in, following her usual routine.

She set her bag on the counter, then paused when something on it caught her eye.

"Hmm? What’s this?" she murmured, picking up the medicine packet from the counter.

Lyra’s name was printed on it, dated yesterday, and a medical leave slip rested beside it.

"Oh... ma’am’s not feeling well," she whispered to herself.

She set everything back in place and headed upstairs.

"Ma’am, are you in there?" she called quietly, but no answer came.

Meredith knocked softly and eased the door open. She peeked inside before stepping in, only to find Lyra still curled up in bed, fast asleep.

Meredith moved closer to the bed and placed a hand on Lyra’s forehead.

"Her temperature’s fine... no fever," she murmured. She gently pulled the blanket up to keep her warm.

She didn’t know what kind of medicine Lyra was taking, and she wasn’t even sure what Lyra was sick with.

All she could do was make something light and comforting for breakfast. About an hour later, Lyra came down the stairs, still drowsy and not yet showered.

"Morning, Mere," she mumbled. Lyra woke up late today since she was on leave.

"Good morning, ma’am. I made chicken rice porridge today. Please have a seat, I’ll bring it out for you," Meredith said.

She hurried straight to the kitchen to get everything ready.

"Make two servings. Eat with me," Lyra called after her.

Meredith nearly jumped when she realized Lyra had followed her into the kitchen.

She tried to send Lyra back to the table, insisting she should sit and wait, but Lyra stood her ground and told her to eat with her.

So the two of them ended up sitting together, sharing warm bowls of chicken porridge and chatting a little as they ate.

"Trrr... trrr..." the house phone rang.

"That must be Sir," Meredith said, setting down her spoon as she pushed back her chair.

Lyra reached out and held her wrist. The phone kept ringing.

"How do you know it’s Rowan?" Lyra asked, polite but clearly suspicious.

Meredith simply waved her hand and smiled. "He calls every day asking about you, ma’am."

Lyra’s shoulders slumped. Rowan hadn’t reached out to her at all, yet he still made time to call Meredith.

"Don’t tell him I’m here."

The ringing stopped for a moment before another call came in. Meredith answered, and Lyra stepped behind her and hit the speaker button to listen in.

Meredith looked puzzled, but Lyra gave her a small hand signal to keep going.

Rowan’s rough voice came through the line.

"Hello, Mere. I thought you weren’t coming in today. What took you so long?"

"Ah... um, I didn’t hear it ring. I was in the bathroom," Meredith said, her breath catching. She could feel the tension between the couple, and she knew she was stuck right in the middle of it.

"Mm... did Lyra leave for work?"

Meredith glanced at Lyra, who nodded quickly.

"Yes, yes—she already left."

"Did she have breakfast?"

"She did. I made chicken porridge, and we ate together," Meredith said, swallowing hard.

Lyra typed something quickly into her phone and held the screen up for Meredith to read.

Meredith nodded and added, "Sir... did you come home tonight?"

Rowan went silent for a moment before answering.

"No, I won’t. If she asks, say I’m out of the country."

"Alright," Meredith replied softly and the line went dead.