She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 3

As soon as they got home, Lyra cut straight to the chase. "Dad, I don't have feelings for Rowan anymore. Let's just call off the engagement."

"Is this because he brushed you off earlier?" Her father didn't seem angry, merely suggesting that Rowan had been on a call and his distraction was understandable.-

"The person on the phone was a woman. They're basically together now."

Her parents were stunned by the revelation.

But since it sounded like a rumor, her father didn't press for details. He just patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't overthink it."

The next day, her brother Caleb heard about the dinner and sought Lyra out.

"Lyra, I thought you were crazy about Rowan. Why the sudden tantrum about not liking him anymore?"

A lump formed in her throat. "Caleb..."

Remembering his tragic death in her past life, her eyes welled with tears, and she threw herself into his arms.

Seeing her on the verge of crying, Caleb only grew more convinced that she was heartbroken over being rejected by Rowan. He affectionately ruffled her hair. "Are you worried you can't win him over? He's a tough one, for sure... even his parents can't control him."

Caleb chuckled. "But you've got me. I'll help set up some opportunities for you. What are you afraid of?"

She could hear the admiration for Rowan in Caleb's voice, alongside his endless doting on her. It was such a far cry from the future, where Caleb would curse Rowan as their company crumbled, screaming, "I hope you burn in hell."

"Caleb..." Lyra felt a bitter ache in her chest. She clung to him tightly and shook her head. "I don't love him. Not even a little bit. Please, I don't want to get married. I just want to stay with our family forever."

"Lyra?" Caleb froze.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. I genuinely don't want him anymore. He's not worth my time."

Caleb didn't seem entirely convinced.

There had been plenty of times when she had stomped her feet in frustration, swearing she was completely over Rowan, only to go running right back to him like a lovesick teenager. So Caleb didn't take her declaration to heart.

"You graduate next month. What do you want to do after?"

This was exactly what Lyra had wanted to discuss. She looked up at him with utter seriousness. "I want to work at Fairchild Holdings."

"Oh?" Caleb laughed, teasing her. "So instead of marrying Rowan, you want to join the family business?"

He figured she wouldn't last three days in a corporate office before calling it quits.

"I'm serious, Caleb." She squeezed his hand.

She owned plenty of jewelry and rarely wore that specific piece. She had certainly never worn it to any social events with Rowan, only sporting it a couple of times at the beach.

She scrolled through her close friends' social media feeds. Not a single trace of the bracelet.

Finally, she let out a sigh of relief.

Still, the thought of him having something that belonged to her gnawed at her. She had to get it back.

...

The perfect opportunity presented itself quickly.

Rowan's mother invited Lyra over for dinner, and Lyra immediately accepted.

Jameson Manor was massive. She had visited countless times and even lived there during her miserable marriage in her past life, so she knew the layout like the back of her hand.

The staff all recognized her. Seeing her walk in, they greeted her respectfully, "Miss Fairchild..."

Rowan's mother came downstairs and warmly took her hand. "Lyra, Rowan is up in his study with Waylon. Why don't you go chat with them? Dinner will be ready soon."