Chapter 1
Lyra Sinclair and Mason Vale had been married for five years, living a perfectly happy DINK lifestyle.
Until the day he called to tell her that Willow Harper, the scholarship student he’d been supporting, was pregnant–she’d stolen the sperm from his ised condoms.
le said they’d never had any kind of relationship.
And he said he’d originally planned to take her for an abortion, but his family threatened to disown him, forcing him to keep the baby.
yra agreed through her tears.
lut from that day forward, everything changed.
he man who used to say he didn’t like kids suddenly started seriously studying pregnancy guides, personally accompanying Willow to every prenatal ppointment, carefully setting up the nursery.
le even didn’t hesitate for a second to scoop up Willow and rush her out of the building when the fire broke out.
Mason!” Lyra screamed his name hoarsely, her voice swallowed by the flames. “Help me, I’m right here…”
Mason’s steps seemed to pause for a moment. Their eyes met briefly through the thick smoke, and Lyra saw a flash of conflict in his gaze.
ut the next second, Willow grabbed his hand tightly. “Mason, please get us out of here, I’m so scared…”
Don’t be scared.” Mason’s voice was gentle in a way that cut like a knife. “I’m here. Our family of three will all be safe.”
amily of three.
hose three words stabbed straight into Lyra’s heart like a blade.
‘he moment Mason rushed toward the exit protecting Willow, another burning beam crashed down, this time hitting Lyra square in the back.
n her final moment of consciousness, she remembered the car accident from five years ago.
t had been pouring that day. She and Mason had just left the restaurant when an out of control truck jumped the sidewalk. Almost instinctively, she ad pushed Mason out of the way.
harp pain spread from her abdomen throughout her entire body as she heard Mason screaming her name in desperation.
When she woke up, the doctor told her that her uterus was severely damaged–she’d never be able to have children.
We should break up.” On the day she was discharged, she said with tears in her eyes, “You’re the only son. The Vale family needs an heir.”
What had Mason said then?
le’d pinned her against the hospital room wall and kissed her breathless. “Lyra, I only want you. No kids? Fine, we’ll be DINKS forever. I’ll handle my amily.”
To convince his family, he knelt in the family chapel for a day and a night, taking ninety–nine lashes.
His mother cried that it was a sin. His father smashed three teacups.
Finally, his old grandfather sighed and said he could do what he wanted.
In the blazing heat, she seemed to see Mason’s red–rimmed eyes again from their wedding day when he lifted her veil.
He had said, “Lyra, you’re the only one I’ll ever need.”
And now, he was holding another woman, talking about their “family of three.”
The Rames swallowed Lyra’s last bit of consciousness.
Fine then. This time, she’d make sure their little family of three got exactly what they wanted.
When Lyra woke up again, she was greeted by the hospital’s harsh white ceiling.
“Lyra, you’re awake.” Mason’s voice came from beside her. She turned her head to see his bloodshot eyes and furrowed brow
“Does it still hurt?” His voice was tight as his fingers gently brushed her cheek. “The doctor said you have minor burns and a concussion. But don’t worry–I’ve rented out the entire floor, got the best medical team. You won’t have any scars…”
Lyra looked at his concerned expression and suddenly found it laughable.
The same man who didn’t hesitate to choose his “family of three” in that fire was now putting on this act of devotion?
She opened her mouth, her throat burning. “Mason, let’s get-”
“Lyra,” he suddenly interrupted, handing her a document. “Let’s get divorced.”
Lyra’s whole body went rigid.
Even though she was about to ask for a divorce herself, she hadn’t expected him to beat her to it.
‘It’s just temporary.” He spoke quickly, like he’d rehearsed this speech. “Willow’s due in a month. To register the kid, we need the biological parents‘ marriage certificate. Once the baby’s born, I’ll divorce her, and then we can…”
‘Get back together?” Lyra finished softly, her heart feeling like it was being crushed by an invisible fist.
‘Exactly!” His eyes lit up, as if relieved. “I’ve already worked it out with her. After she gives birth, she takes the money and leaves. The kid… we’ll just raise it as our own, okay?”
yra stared at his moving lips, her whole body going cold.
Lyra?” He pressed. “Just sign it. The lawyer’s waiting to process everything.”
she took the pen, her fingertips trembling.
The moment the pen touched paper, a tear dropped onto the words “Petitioner,” spreading into a watery stain.
Mason didn’t seem to notice.
le tucked away the signed documents and leaned down to kiss her forehead, but she turned her head away.
le froze for a moment, then straightened up as if nothing had happened. “Lyra, just wait for me a little longer.”
The door closed softly, but it hit her heart like a sledgehammer.
Vait?
he wouldn’t wait anymore.
yra pulled out her IV and dragged her aching body to handle the discharge paperwork.
Passing by the maternity ward, she heard Mason’s voice.
Take it slow, watch the step.” His tone was gentle in a way that felt foreign. “The doctor said the baby’s developing perfectly.”
“Mason, quick, listen…” Willow’s excited voice carried through the hall. “The baby’s kicking!”
Let me hear.” Mason’s voice carried a smile. “So active–must be a boy.”
by wife Now!
Chapter 1
“You want a boy?”
“I’d love either.” His voice was soft. “I’ve already picked out names. If it’s a boy, Lucas Vale. If it’s a girl, Emina Vale.”
Lyra leaned against the cold wall, her nails digging deep into her palms,
She remembered that rainy night five years ago when Mason stood soaking wet under her apartment building, his eyes red as if they might bleed.
“Lyra, no kids means no kids. I only need you. I don’t even like children, honestly.”
And now here he was, kneeling before another woman, listening to fetal kicks with anticipation in his eyes, names already chosen.
Mason, oh Mason.
If you wanted kids, why did you choose me in the first place?
Why did you say I was the only one you needed?
Why did you lie to me?
Lyra turned and walked away, her tears shattering against the hospital’s polished floor tiles.
In the taxi, Lyra called her parents. “Dad, Mom, I want to come abroad to be with you.”
On the other end, her parents were shocked. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you and Mason doing well? Did he hurt you?”
Lyra’s throat tightened. “No…. we just fell out of love.” She said softly, “So we’re ending things amicably.”
After hanging up, the taxi stopped in front of the immigration office.
‘I need to process immigration paperwork,” she said, walking in and handing over her documents. “And I want to cancel all my domestic records.”
The clerk looked up at her. “Are you sure? Once canceled, you won’t exist in the system anymore.”
yra nodded. “I’m sure.”
From this day forward, there would be no more Lyra Sinclair in this city.
Mason, you got your wish. I’m completely out of your little family of three’s world.
