You really want something that used to be mine?

After dropping Dante off at school, Liora asked the driver to take her back to Damian’s house. She let out a long breath, knowing she had to spend the day in a place where everyone hated her. Right now, she had no one on her side.

Liora stepped into the house and immediately caught the cold stare of Catherine, Draven’ grandmother. Sitting with her were Elena, Draven’ stepmother, and Clara. They were gathered in the living room, talking quietly.

What are they planning now? Liora wondered.

She walked past them, ignoring their presence, but suddenly Clara rushed toward her and yanked her hair roughly.

Liora cried out in pain. “What are you doing?!”

Clara laughed. “There is no rule that says I cannot touch you.”

“Let go!” Liora shouted, trying to free herself from Clara’s grip.

“I have not hurt you all this time because you promised not to get Draven’ attention,” Clara snapped. “But you broke that rule today. That was a mistake. Now you need to go.”

Liora’s voice trembled with anger. “Draven is my husband. What is wrong with wanting him to notice me and our son?!”

Clara gripped her hair tighter, but Liora quickly grabbed Clara’s wrist and threw her to the ground with one swift move. The others gasped in shock.

“What are you doing to my niece?!” Elena shouted.

Liora looked at them with calm, sharp eyes. She was not the same Lyra who would have laughed it off or acted indifferent. That Lyra would have taken the money they usually offered just to get her away from Draven. But not anymore.

Elena pulled out a check, the amount written on it was more than enough to tempt anyone.

“Are you that desperate? Take this and buy yourself some fancy clothes. Maybe even a vacation with your lover,” Elena said with a smirk.

Liora sighed deeply. “I do not need your money, Madam.”

“You ungrateful witch,” Clara spat. “Feeding animals would be better than keeping a snake like you in this house.”

Liora stepped closer and slapped Clara across the face. The room fell silent. There was tension in the air.

None of them knew that upstairs, Draven had been watching everything unfold from the second floor. The owner of this grand estate had witnessed it all. And for the first time, he was truly amazed by the courage of the woman everyone thought was just a fake wife.

"Watch your mouth. From now on, I will not stay silent or lower myself just to let you all laugh at me!" Liora said at once.

"Your dignity?" Elena stood and gave Liora a sharp glare. "What dignity are you talking about? The only woman without self-respect here is you."

Liora clenched both her fists. ‘Should I really raise my hand against a woman almost my mother’s age?’ she asked herself silently.

"I do have self-respect, Madam," Liora said, keeping her voice steady.

Elena let out a mocking laugh. "A few months ago, your so-called self-respect was just a pile of money. You were willing to do anything for it. You would have even kissed my feet if I asked!"

She stepped closer to Liora and stared her down.

"Sleeping around with different men out there has clearly changed you," she hissed. "What happened to you these past few months?"

Liora, what are you doing… she questioned herself inwardly. If you keep acting this way, they will start to suspect something. But I cannot keep pretending to be Lyra. Her ways go against everything I believe in.

Before she could say more, Elena grabbed a flower vase from the table and hurled it at Liora’s head. It hit her hard.

Pain shot through Liora’s skull, and blood began to trickle down her face. She bit her lip, trying to stay strong, but her legs buckled. She collapsed to the floor and passed out.

Upstairs, Draven had seen it all.

He quickly called out to his assistant. "Bring her upstairs now."

"Where are you taking her?" Elena asked, stepping in his way.

"Mr. Draven asked me to take Madam to her room," Federic replied firmly. As Draven’ trusted assistant, no one dared question his words, not even Catherine, who had been watching silently while Elena and Clara did as they pleased.

Federic carried Liora to Draven’ room. Draven himself had ordered her to be laid gently on his own bed.

"Call Darren," Draven said, and Federic left the room immediately to follow his order.

Draven looked down at Liora, unconscious and bleeding. He grabbed a tissue and gently wiped the blood from her face. Her lips moved faintly.

"Lyra… come back. Do not cause any more trouble. Our parents do not deserve this," she murmured unconsciously.

Draven stared at her features, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"You are actually more beautiful than her," he whispered, more to himself than to her.

He sat beside her, eyes never leaving her face. Liora’s brow tightened in pain as she let out a soft sob. She was still unconscious, but Draven began to worry, she had lost too much blood.

A few minutes later, the doctor he had called finally arrived. Darren entered the room, his eyes cold as they landed on Draven. Without saying a word, he moved straight to examine Liora.

"You know she is not really your wife. So why did you let your crazy family treat her like that?" Darren asked angrily.

"I still do not know who this woman really is. Maybe she cares about my son… or maybe she is part of Silas’ stupid plan," Draven replied, clearly conflicted.

Darren shook his head and focused on stitching Liora’s wound. He muttered under his breath, annoyed at his friend’s blindness.

"You are protecting a devil like Clara, yet you cannot even see a decent woman when she is right in front of you. Why do you not just throw Clara out already? I thought you were tired of her?"

“It is not time to throw her out yet,” Draven said calmly. “If I do that now, Elena’s plan to steal what belongs to me will become easier. I want to play with both Elena and Clara first… and then, I will show that old man exactly who his precious wife really is.”

Darren crossed his arms and replied, “Then take good care of her. She needs a lot of rest. And honestly, you might have to keep her locked in your room for a few days. Those wicked women downstairs might try something worse next time.”

Draven raised an eyebrow. So she is that innocent? Very different from her sister.

Darren chuckled. “You should be careful. This one is not like the others. She might stir your heart without meaning to. But if she becomes too much for you to handle, I am more than willing to take her off your hands. I would even make her my wife.”

Draven gave a cold smile. “You really want something that used to be mine?”

Darren grinned. “A woman this pure, untouched, and with no history of men clinging to her? She is remarkable. It would be a miracle to have someone like her.”