Love Bound: Falling For The Disabled Heir

Chapter 3

Lyra clenched her fist tightly, standing in front of the Smith mansion. It has been three years since her father's death. Lyra could still remember how her father died. She vowed never to step foot in the Smith mansion when she left three years ago and now, she is right in front of the same house she despises so much.

Lyra sighed deeply and shook her head, “Let's get this over with.”

Since the housekeepers and security guards knew her, it was easy for her to gain access to the mansion.

****

Mary, standing across from Lyra, smirked with a cold expression on her face, her arms crossed as she looked down at Lyra with disdain. Lyra had no choice but to kneel before her stepmother, she needed to save her sister's life.

“Well, I thought you weren't serious over the phone,” Mary scoffed and stirred the glass of wine in her hand. “Thought you'll never come around, step-daughter.”

“Please, you know about Lily’s condition. I need your help, just this once,” Lyra had a pleading expression on her face.

“Oh, Lily,” a small smile escaped Mary’s lips, “Don’t tell me you can't take care of the poor child.”

“Stepmother please, I'm begging you,” her tears flowed freely, holding onto the helm of Mary's clothes. “I'll do anything.”

“I can't help you Lyra and besides,” Mary rolled her eyes in disgust. “What use is the money, it's not like she'll be fine anyway.”

“How can you say that? Are you that heartless? That's your husband's child, Mary,” Lyra snapped and stood up in anger.

“You don't come into my house and talk to me that way,” Mary slapped her across the face.

Lyra gulped down her saliva and clenched her fist tightly, “You know what, it's fine, I shouldn't have come here in the first place and I hope you rot in hell.” Lyra snapped and turned her back to leave.

They took everything away from her. Her father, the company, everything, and now, they choose not to help Lily. Do they want to take her away from her too?

Lyra could feel her throat dry from all the crying, her life seemed messed up.

“Well, see yourself out,” Mary scoffed and a cold laugh escaped her lips. “And don't forget to shut the door behind you.”

Rose was eavesdropping the whole time, she moved to the living room and a mischievous smile danced around her lips.

“Wait, we’ll help you.”

Lyra turned around and the sight of her half-sister, Rose, infuriated her. She clenched her fist and exhaled.

For Lily, Lyra. For Lily, you can do this, Lyra took a deep breath and exhaled.

“We’ll help you if you marry Aaron Bale in my place,” Rose's words hung in the air and Lyra froze in her tracks.

Mary gasped and a smirk escaped her lips. How could she not think of that? Since the company is in so much debt and an alliance with the Bale family would solve the problem, why not?

“Wonderful idea, Rose. I never thought about that,” she turned to Lyra and swiveled her head. “We’ll give you the money if you marry Aaron Bale in her place.”

“What? Are you crazy?” Lyra snapped. “Everyone knows Aaron is a criminal and is now in a wheelchair. How can you ask me to marry him? Aaron is a bastard son, everyone knows that.”

“Well, so are you,” Mary scoffed, “I guess you don't love that tramp of a sister after all,” Mary shook her head in disappointment, she moved closer to the sofa and leaned on it.

“My sister is not a tramp,” Lyra clenched her fist, “Your daughter is. That w***e right there slept with my boyfriend and now she's pregnant for him.”

“How dare you?” Mary stood up and slapped her across the face. Lyra's cheek flushed red in an instant.

“Exactly what I thought, you know what I'm out of here,” Lyra spat out in disgust and turned her back to leave. Her phone buzzed and she picked it up immediately.

“Hello Miss Lyra, we have an emergency. Lily just collapsed, we need you to come to the hospital immediately.”

Lyra's hand felt numb and the phone fell on the tiled floor. The tears flowed freely on her cheeks. “Lily ple-” she was unable to speak through the lump in her throat.

“Alright,” Lyra turned her back and gazed at her stepmother. “I'll marry him,” she spoke through her gritted teeth, her fist clenched and eyes swollen from all the crying.

“Good, tomorrow by 9 am, be ready. I'll send you the location. Now, get out of my house,” Mary snapped with her eyes wide open.

Lyra could see the smirk on Rose's face as she exited the living room. She clenched her fist and tilted her head backward to hold back the tears as she exited the mansion.

****

The night went by so fast and the morning dew filled the air. Lyra had spent the night with her sister at the hospital as usual.

The small courtroom is filled with tension and whispers. The scent of old papers mingled with the smell of polished wood. The judge had a stern expression on his face, sitting at the front.

At the center of the room, Lyra stood alone. Her white dress flew freely mingling with her pale face. She clutched the small bouquet of withered flowers, her hands trembling, her eyes wide open with tears evident in it. Lyra knew she had no choice if she wanted to save Lily, she could feel a surge of fear run through her body. If only she had an escape plan. She could see her stepmother and half-sister smiling as brightly as ever, the torture she felt was like a thousand knives piercing through her body.

Beside her, the groom's chair remained empty and she wondered, “Why isn't he here yet?” She could see a young man standing still, beside her stepmother. She was curious to know what they were discussing.

The young man approached Lyra with a bright smile on his face. Lyra gulped down her saliva nervously.

“Miss Lyra, I'll be filling in for Mister Aaron.”

It's not like she cared anyway but still, she felt the need to ask about her mysterious husband.

“Uhm, but why isn't he here?” Her voice was barely above a whisper and her gaze low.

The young man flashed her a warm smile and averted his gaze.

The judge cleared his throat, his voice echoed in the silence as he began to speak.

“We may now begin,” his voice lacked warmth as he recited the legal formalities that bind the couple.

Lyra could feel her heart racing against her chest, each word felt like a punishment for her freedom.

After they were done with all the signing, the gentleman led Lyra to the car. The vehicle looked shabby and outdated.

“OMG! Nice ride Lyra,” Rose shook her head, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Have fun big sis,” she waved at her with a smirk on her face as she slid into the backseat of the car.