She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 2

Lyra headed to her bedroom, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and stepped into the shower.

As the warm water cascaded over her chilled skin, she finally let out a breath, feeling like she was truly alive again.

She had no idea whether it was Jasmine or Josie who eventually went to Rowan's room, but none of that mattered to her anymore...

After her shower, she wanted to catch up on sleep, but the sudden realization of a crucial task left a bitter taste in her mouth.

In her previous life, she had gotten pregnant.

Shortly after marrying Rowan, she had fainted and discovered she was three months along.

From that moment, the Jameson family had treated her like a woman of loose morals, completely indifferent to the fact that Rowan was cheating on her with Jasmine.

Lyra dressed quickly and slipped out to the pharmacy. Leaving the store, she found a quiet corner and swallowed the pill. By the time she returned home, her parents were already there.

"Why isn't Lyra back from her friend's place yet? Do you think something happened?"

"Give her a call and ask."

She had only managed to sneak out last night by telling her parents she was staying over at her friend Melanie's house.

Her mother was just about to dial when Lyra rushed over and threw her arms around her. "Mom!"

"Lyra."

Her father watched in surprise as his daughter, eyes brimming with tears, turned and hugged him next. Her voice was thick with emotion. "Dad..."

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked, worry lining his face.

Lyra shook her head, her eyes red. "Nothing."

In her past life, one had died from a heart attack and the other had lost her mind. She had effectively lost her parents far too early.

Seeing them alive right now filled her with overwhelming joy! An indescribable wave of emotion.

Her father let out a sigh of relief. "You're acting like you're still a little girl."

"Go get ready. Did you forget we're supposed to have dinner at the Jamesons' today?"

Lyra actually had forgotten, considering it was a memory from a lifetime ago. "I'm not going."

"Did you have a fight with Rowan?"

At this exact point in her previous life, she had been overjoyed, believing that sharing a bed with Rowan meant she was finally his, solidifying their relationship.

But when they had gone to the Jameson Manor back then, Rowan never even showed up, leaving her parents incredibly disappointed.

Lyra thought about it for a moment and changed her mind. She should go.

Since she wouldn't run into Rowan anyway, she could use her parents' inevitable disappointment as the perfect excuse to call off the engagement.

She refused to be as foolish as before, holding out hope that she could win his heart.

"Mom, Dad, let's go. We'll head to the Jamesons'."

...

Lyra accompanied her parents to the sprawling Jameson Manor.

Just like before, the dinner was attended only by Rowan's parents and his brother. Rowan was nowhere to be seen by the time they finished eating.

His parents were perfectly polite, but—

All the color drained from Lyra's face.

Unless she was mistaken, that was her bracelet.

This hadn't happened in her previous life. Her bracelet had stayed firmly on her wrist.

Then again, she hadn't wildly slapped him in her past life either, meaning he had never grabbed her wrist and accidentally slipped the bracelet off...

A wave of sheer panic washed over her.

"Lyra, are you okay?" her mother noticed her pale complexion as Lyra tried to shrink behind her. "Are you feeling shy because Rowan is here?"

At that exact moment, Rowan's sharp, chilling gaze landed straight on her.

Even though he was here, his attitude toward her hadn't changed. A flash of impatience and disgust was visible in his dark eyes.

Lyra shook her head frantically, turning her body slightly to avoid his stare. "Mom, let's just go. Rowan looks like he really needs some rest."

In this life, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. She just wanted to get out of there!

In her past life, she had done everything to please him, and what had it gotten her? Her family's complete destruction.

She was going to stay as far away from Rowan as humanly possible.

Her mother was about to say their goodbyes when Rowan's phone buzzed. He answered it without a second of hesitation. "Hey... you made it home?"

Shoving his free hand back into his pocket, he walked toward the front doors of the manor, not sparing the Fairchilds another glance.

The last thing Lyra heard was his voice—low, soothing, and filled with a tenderness he had never once directed at her.

Her father glanced back at Rowan's retreating figure before getting into the car, silently wondering who on the other end of the line could make the cold heir look so gentle.