Chapter 18
In Canada, Lyra had already gotten the news that Mason was spreading information about her everywhere, searching for her.
She also learned about the plane crash–the very flight Mason had booked for her. She couldn’t bear to think what would have happened if she’d actually listened to Mason and gotten on that plane.
How heartbroken would her parents have been?
She stirred the coffee in her cup, her thoughts drifting, when her mother approached with a worried expression.
“Lyra, Mason is searching for you everywhere. The news has spread internationally–maybe he’ll find out where you’re living soon.”
Seeing her mother’s concerned expression, Lyra smiled reassuringly.
“It’s okay. I’m surprised we managed to keep it hidden this long. Even if he really finds out I’m here, Mason and I need a real resolution sooner or later. Don’t worry about me, Mom.”
“How can I not worry? You’re my daughter.” Her mother sat down beside her. “When you came back and told us what Mason had done, my heart broke for you. I can’t believe you suffered so much.”
Since her return, her parents had been taking care of her with constant tenderness.
Warmth filled Lyra’s heart, and she couldn’t help but hug her mother.
“It’s okay, that’s all in the past. Mason and I will never have any relationship again.”
Her father called from downstairs.
‘Lyra, that Mitchell boy is here to see you again!”
Hearing this, Lyra’s eyes flashed with helplessness while her mother chuckled.
‘Go on, don’t keep him waiting.”
‘Fine, fine. Who’s really your biological child here?” Lyra went downstairs and immediately spotted the person sitting on the couch. “Why are you here so early? I thought we said tonight?”
Ethan Mitchell turned around with a smile. “Came early to see you, and to check on your folks too.”
yra really didn’t know what to do with him–he always had some excuse.
Within days of arriving in Canada, her parents mentioned whether she’d like to meet an old childhood friend. The subtext from her parents was lear–they wanted her to be happy.
yra got the hint, but having just left Mason, she really wasn’t in the mood. What she didn’t expect was that when she wouldn’t go to the mountain, the nountain would come to her.
than started showing up at their door with gifts that practically filled her room.
yra felt too awkward to refuse, so she gave him her contact info, planning to politely decline his advances through text. But as they chatted, Lyra liscovered Ethan was genuinely interesting..
He wasn’t pushy, always considerate and gentle in his approach. Even when she turned him down countless times, he never gave up–just became nore polite in their conversations.
Once, when he learned Lyra was craving food from back home, he literally showed up with a recipe and ingredients to cook an entire spread for her family.
Under this kind of persistence, Lyra couldn’t bring herself to refuse anymore. She’d occasionally go out with him for walks, but as for dating–that still lelt way too soon.
She came downstairs and sat nearby. Ethan’s face lit up when he saw her, his eyes crinkling with laughter as he shared amusing stories that had her. parents cracking up.
The tense atmosphere from Mason’s search for her completely dissipated in this warm environment. Even Lyra couldn’t help but smile, quietly listening.
By evening, seeing it was getting late, Ethan finally wrapped up the conversation.
“Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, it’s about time I took Lyra out for dinner. I’ll bring her back after we eat.” Ethan said.
“Of course, of course! Lyra’s been so lucky to have you showing her around lately.” Her mother eagerly pulled Lyra to her feet, earning a look of mock indignation from her daughter.
Though Lyra wasn’t really annoyed. She made a token protest before heading out with Ethan.
On the way, since it was getting dark and hard to see, Ethan held her hand as they walked, only letting go once they reached the restaurant.
