Chapter one:The Last Night of Normal
To Lyra,the rain always knew when something was about to happen, always knew.
Lyra Maddox stood by the window of her childhood bedroom, arms wrapped around herself, watching the storm tear through the garden her mother once loved, the garden she always played on.
Each raindrop against the glass sounded like a warning, a threat,a countdown she couldn’t run from.
Tomorrow, she’d be gone.
But tonight still belonged to her,or so she thought.
The Maddox estate didn’t feel like home anymore. Not since the funeral. Not since the reading of the will. Not since her aunt, Celeste, moved in and declared herself matriarch of a legacy she didn’t earn.
Lyra always saw through her aunt, the fake loyalty,the cruelty, she had always known her aunt didn’t love her. She just hadn’t realized she hated her.
The door opened wild and drew her attention.
It was Damien.
Her cousin leaned against the doorframe with the casual arrogance of someone who never knew consequences. His shirt was unbuttoned halfway down his chest, revealing tattoos he didn’t earn and a smirk that made her skin crawl.
“Hey, princess,” he said with a mock. “Can't sleep?”
“Get out!! Damien.”
He stepped inside anyway, eyes scanning her like a possession on a shelf. “You’ve been ignoring me Lyra.”
“I wonder why.” Her voice shook with disgust.
Damien walked closer, stopping just beside her. “You know, with Aunt Celeste taking over the estate, things are going to be different. You should learn to be… oh I don't know..more cooperative, don't you think?
Lyra's mouth was flung opening disgust, struggling to let out the fire that was burning, but before she could speak, Celeste’s voice rang from downstairs.
“Lyra!.”
She pushed Damien aside without another word.
Downstairs, Celeste sat by the fireplace, legs crossed, red nails tapping against a wine glass, Shining red lip stick and a face that only wanted money.
“Sit. She said.
“I’d rather stand.”
Celeste sipped her wine while putting on a wicked smirk.“Suit yourself. I’ve decided on your future.”
Lyra blinked,blinked again, not believing her ears. “I beg your pardon?”
“You’re not going back to school. The freedom is no longer yours. And this house?” she waved a hand in the air—belongs to me now. Your parents are gone now Lyra. I’m just preserving what’s left behind.”
“You forged the documents,” Lyra hissed. “Everyone knows it.”
Celeste smiled. “No one who matters does.”
The room was already too harsh for Lyra, she couldn't name it, something more than vengeance was burning in her.
Then Celeste’s voice dropped, low,steady and poisonous. “You’ll be leaving tomorrow. Someone’s… interested in you.”
Lyra’s heart stopped. “What do you mean someone's interested in me!!?”
“I mean,” Celeste stood slowly, “you’re going to be very useful to some men of power. Your beauty is the last thing of value you have. You should be happy.”
Lyra staggered back. “You..you.. She stuttered,you sold me?”
A flicker of irritation flashed in Celeste’s eyes. “Don’t be dramatic,you child!.”
“Have you gone nuts?”
“No,” Celeste said casually. “Just realistic. Do you think money grows on trees, Lyra? Damien’s debts are out of control. He gambled away half our reserves, half the estate,But guess what, she said as if they were having fun, smiling to her self.
luckily… someone offered us a way out.”
Tears welled in Lyra’s eyes, fury and fear battling in her heart.
“I’m your niece,” she whispered in tears.
Celeste walked closer, brushed a strand from Lyra's hair, exposing her cheek, like a mother would…
“You were a Maddox,” she said. “But now… you’re just a girl", she said with finality.
