Lyra’s POV
The silence in the room was sharp—too sharp.
My breath came in short, furious bursts as the woman before me—pale-skinned, lips trembling, eyes already glistening with tears—uttered the one name that shattered every wall holding Lucian together.
“Yes… Lilian. Lucian’s daughter,” she said, then turned slightly toward him, like she was daring him to fall apart.
But she didn’t see it coming.
The sound cracked through the room like thunder.
Lucian’s hand struck her cheek so hard her body jerked sideways.
A gasp tore through the room, but no one moved.
She stumbled, one hand on her face. I saw blood—just a thread of it, glinting at the edge of her lip.
“You mad, lying witch!” Lucian’s voice was fire. “How dare you say such rubbish? How in this goddamned world could Lilian eve
