hapter 24
Chapter 24
Raine’s POV
Things progressed smoothly with Jade.
She didn’t seem particularly fond of me, but I found I didn’t particularly care.
Then something unexpected happened–Lyra and Julian grew close. She even blushed for him, just as she had for
A strange restlessness grew in my chest, though I couldn’t name the feeling.
It must be concern for her. After all, Julian Storm was dangerous.
That Pierce kid somehow offended him and ended up half–dead before being sent away.
Julian, too, was ordered abroad to let things cool down.
The way he looked at her–no man could miss it–desire. Pure, unrestrained desire.
Men like him are the most dangerous.
I repeatedly warned Lyra to stay away, but she ignored me.
That night’s group photo–my expression looked twisted. Yet I kept it for years as our only photo together.
Even though another man had his arm around her while I was merely a bystander.
Troubled, I chain–smoked.
While accompanying Jade to a concert, my mind filled with images of Julian holding Lyra.
I asked Jade: “Are you in love with someone?”
“Yes, but he was too poor. My grandpa offered him five hundred thousand dollars, then he ran off.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she continued: “But he approves of you. Let’s make do with each other. Should we try?”
Something in my chest suddenly snapped–two years ago, I’d asked Lyra the same question.
Her eyes had been wet with emotion then, but now she’d never look at me that way again.
The next day, I måde excuses to find her, only to see her blushing as she climbed out of Julian’s car. She told me she didn’t love me anymore–she loved Julian Storm.
What could I say? I ended up slandering Julian.
Yet she didn’t even question it, as if looking at me disgusted her.
10:32
Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
14.9%
[Chapter 24
On her birthday, she wouldn’t even open my carefully selected gift, her gaze fixed on Julian instead.
Jealousy nearly drove me insane. What right did Julian have?
Soon I learned he had every right–Maddox told me Lyra had experienced something terrible. Then the person who saved her was Julian Storm.
In all our time together, I never once asked what happened during those six months. I even repeatedly hurt her, ignoring her tears.
I moved to her building, only to discover Julian had beaten me to it by purchasing the apartment across from hers.
Later, seeing her open the door with reddened lips while Julian possessively stood behind her–I was speechless.
I turned to leave, but my feet wouldn’t move.
Julian came out and stood beside me, his voice cold: “I gave you a chance.”
I didn’t understand what he meant.
When I heard the commotion downstairs, I was in the shower–by the time I’d quickly rinsed off, I was again too late compared to Julian. But at least I managed to shield Lyra from the knife.
I watched her clutching Julian, crying desperately, as if it wasn’t my shoulder being stabbed but my heart.
I called to her: “Lyra, can you look at me just once…”
She cradled Julian’s face, never sparing me a glance.
In that hazy moment, my mind flashed back to her round, childish face, standing behind everyone with downcast eyes, never speaking.
I was heading to the bathroom, rushing to get back and help Jade dig her wish bottle, when Julian stopped me.
“What’s your name again? Never mind–dig one for that little girl over there too.”
So Julian had seen her first, long before I did.
10:32
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.