Chapter 13 Eyes don't lie
(There's Two)
Lydia’s Point of View
The doctor noticed my uncertainty and offered a gentle smile. “Miss Lydia, there’s no rule stating only one person should support you. You may go out with… anyone you feel comfortable with. One at a time. Safely. Slowly.”
That didn’t help at all.
Justin and Harridan stood on opposite sides of my bed, both radiating so much tension that even the heart monitor seemed to hesitate.
“We’ll… figure it out,” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Harridan stepped forward first, confidently brushing a hand through his hair. “You don’t have to stress about choosing. I’m free this weekend. I can take you anywhere, even your favorite ice cream truck near Westwood Park.”
Justin's brow lifted sharply. “She hates that place. That truck gave her food poisoning sophomore year.”
Harridan blinked in surprise. “Oh.”
Venus snorted loudly. “Historical documentation of stupidity.”
Saturn elbowed him to shut up.
Harridan cleared his throat and reached into the pocket of his hoodie. “Lydia, I brought something else.”
He handed me a small folded paper. I unfolded it slowly.
A hand-drawn map. Messy doodles. Arrows. Stars marking random spots.
Justin’s eyes widened. “Are you seriously giving her that?”
“It’s our map,” Harridan said, voice softening. “We made it in high school. All the places you dragged me to: the bookstore you loved, the abandoned greenhouse, the riverside dock… even the stupid hill where you claimed you could ‘hear the stars.’”
I stared at the map… something warm and painful sparked in my chest, a faint flicker, not a memory, but a sensation. A familiar ache.
Justin quietly exhaled, jealousy flickering across his face before he masked it with a playful smirk. “Fine. I don’t have a sentimental map, but I do have your favorite comfort food.”
He lifted a small paper bag. The smell hit me instantly.
“Asoji buns?” Venus gasped. “Do you know how expensive those are?!”
Justin shrugged. “She used to eat them whenever she cried. I bought two packs.”
Harridan’s jaw clenched again. “You’re bribing her.”
“And you’re competing,” Justin shot back.
“I’m not competing.”
“You absolutely are.”
Venus whispered to Saturn, “If they start punching each other, I’m recording it and selling it.”
Saturn nodded solemnly. “As you should.”
I rubbed my temples. “Can both of you stop? I’m not asking anyone to fight.”
Harridan stepped closer to the bed, stopping just short of touching me. “Lydia… we’re not fighting. We’re just-”
“Discussing,” Justin finished with an edge.
“Loudly,” Venus added.
“Unnecessarily,” Saturn whispered.
The doctor cleared her throat sharply, instantly silencing everyone.
“I suggest she starts with gentle outings first,” the doctor said, tapping her clipboard. “Small places. Short visits. Familiar faces. And only one outing per day.”
Justin turned to me with a hopeful smile. “Then let me take you first.”
“No, she should come with me,” Harridan replied immediately, voice calm but firm. “I know the places that matter to her memory.”
Justin scoffed. “You mean the places you liked?”
“Enough,” I muttered, loud enough that all three froze.
They stared at me, like my choice was oxygen.
“I… need time to think,” I said softly. “This is a lot.”
Their expressions shifted. Justin’s confidence faltered just a bit. Harridan’s composure cracked at the edges.
They both nodded silently. Justin stepped back, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Then I’ll wait. Call me when you decide. No pressure.”
Harridan glanced at him sharply but said nothing. He leaned forward, lowering his voice just for me. “Take your time. I’ll be outside when you need me.” He stepped back too.
Venus and Saturn watched the awkward retreat like it was a live drama series.
“Plot twist,” Venus whispered. “They’re backing off. I didn’t think that was possible.”
“Do you want us to choose for you?” Saturn asked genuinely.
“No,” I said, exhaling shakily. “This isn’t about dates or choosing. It’s about figuring out the truth. I need them… for now.”
My phone buzzed again. Two new messages.
Justin: Whenever you’re ready, I’ll come running.
Harridan: Tell me the moment you decide. I’ll take you anywhere.
I swallowed hard. Two men who might be connected to my accident and my parents' death. Two men who swore they cared about me. Two men willing to help me gain my memories back.
Which one was lying? Which one was innocent? Which one was dangerous?
“…Which one would break first?” I whispered under my breath.
Venus tilted his head. “Huh?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly. Not ready to tell her how the werewolf alliance had killed my parents for being outcasts and kind.
But inside, the thought remained:
To uncover the truth, I had to walk beside the wolves. One careful step at a time.
Author's POV (Harridan and Justin)
The door to Lydia’s ward clicked shut behind them, and the moment they stepped into the quiet hallway, the thin thread of self-control both men had been holding onto snapped.
Justin was the first to speak.
“She doesn’t remember you,” he said sharply, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Stop acting like you have some special claim over her.”
Harridan didn’t even flinch. His jaw tightened, but his voice stayed calm. “I never said she was mine.”
Justin scoffed. “But you keep moving like she is.”
Harridan turned to face him fully now, eyes cold. “And what are you doing, Justin? Sending her gifts, calling her nonstop… Why? So she’ll pick you first?”
Justin’s glare sharpened. “At least I’m not pretending.”
That one hit. Hard. Harridan turned away, lips pressed tight. He hated how easily Justin could poke holes in him, hated it because it was true. He was pretending. Pretending that Lydia’s confusion didn’t bother him, pretending he wasn’t angry that she didn’t remember their closeness… pretending he wasn’t terrified she might choose Justin instead.
Then Justin’s tone shifted, colder, sharper.
“And don’t forget-” he stepped closer, “...you’re engaged.”
A long, suffocating silence settled.
Harridan’s fingers twitched at his side. “Don’t bring Amby into this.”
“Oh, I will,” Justin hissed. “Because unlike you, she’s my sister. And she’s planning your wedding like it’s the happiest moment of her life.”
Harridan exhaled slowly. “The engagement was arranged. You know that.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re still tied to her,” Justin fired back. “So what exactly do you want from Lydia? While my sister waits for you?”
Harridan didn’t answer. Not because he didn’t know. But because he knew too well.
He wanted Lydia. He had always wanted Lydia. But wanting her meant betraying a girl who had never wronged him, a girl who loved him openly. And it meant stepping into a rivalry with Justin that could destroy all of them.
Justin shook his head and stepped back. “If you’re smart, Harridan, walk away from her.”
Harridan finally met his gaze, eyes steeled.
“I’m not walking anywhere.”
Justin’s jaw clenched. “Then don’t blame me if I don’t make this easy for you.”
Harridan’s lips curled in a humorless smile. “You haven’t made anything easy since high school.”
Justin stepped away, jaw tight. “Fine. Let’s see who she calls first.”
Harridan didn’t move. “Let’s see who she remembers first.”
Neither said the real truth: Let’s see who she loves first.
They were about leaving when one of the special doctors walked up to Justin to brief him on Lydia's case. Harridan was suspicious, so he clinged unto Justin eager to know what was happening.