Chapter184 – William… I’m sorry
Lyra ordered food, but when it arrived, she found she couldn’t take a single bite.
After a few minutes of silently pushing her plate around, she set down her utensils and pulled out her phone.
Not long after, a stunning woman walked into the restaurant.
The moment June spotted Lyra in the far corner, she made her way over and slid into the seat across from her.
“Lyra, you called me out of nowhere. What’s going on?”
Lyra stared at June’s delicate face for a long second, a flicker of distraction passing through her eyes.
The first time she saw June after her transformation, she’d been stunned. She could hardly believe that the once plain-looking woman had become this radiant and poised.
It wasn’t until June called her name a third time that Lyra came back to her senses. “Nothing much… I just missed you. It’s been a long time since we ate here.”
“Yeah...” June exhaled softly, scanning the familiar space. There was a chill behind her eyes. “Back then, I couldn’t even afford a meal out.”
She still couldn’t erase the bitter taste of those years—the shame, the fear, the man who ruined her.
But that was then.
June studied Lyra’s face. She looked pale, distracted, drained. A flicker of calculation passed through her expression. “Lyra... have you heard from William lately? Still keeping in touch?”
Lyra blinked. “I saw him once… but that was two months ago.”
“I see.” June lowered her eyes, a trace of disappointment tightening her lips.
She noticed Lyra still looked off, her expression clouded. “What’s wrong with you today?” June asked gently—then added with a touch of venom, “Did that bitch Clarissa mess with you again?”
Over the years, Lyra had vented to June countless times about her frustrations.
Lyra bit her lip and took a long moment before shaking her head. “You’ve got it wrong. It’s not about my sis.”
“Then who else could it be? You said you ran into Clarissa on that trip. Don’t tell me she made another move on Dorian?”
Silence.
Lyra said nothing—but her fingers curled tighter on the table.
“I knew it,” June said sharply.
Lyra finally broke. “June… I’m scared. I’m so fucking scared I’m going to lose Dorian. He told me… he told me I’m not as good as Clarissa. And since we came back, he’s been sleeping in the study…”
They hadn’t shared a bed since. Everyone in the Harrington family knew something was off. Kira’s stares could cut glass, and Drake? He treated her like she didn’t exist. It was getting harder to breathe.
June reached over quickly and clasped Lyra’s trembling hands. “Hey, hey—don’t cry. Clarissa is manipulative as hell. She’s trying to take everything from you—your status, your family, and now even Dorian. You’re too soft, Lyra. That’s why she keeps walking all over you.”
“But what do I do?” Lyra sobbed harder. “I can’t live without Dorian. I really love him…”
June squeezed her hand tighter, voice low and chilling. “Then we’ll take her down. Don’t worry—I’ll help you.”
Clarissa, she thought darkly, that conniving snake. You destroyed me once. Now it’s your turn to pay.
.....
It was past 3 p.m. when Clarissa finally stepped out of the office. The afternoon sun beat down with an unrelenting heat, and she frowned, picking up her pace toward the parking lot.
She’d only made it halfway when a familiar voice called out.
“Clarissa?”
She paused, startled to see William standing there.
“William…” she said, hesitating.
Ever since the last incident, she’d tried to avoid running into him.
William’s eyes were warm—too warm. But after a beat, he seemed to remind himself of something and quickly looked away, his expression returning to its usual calm and aloof demeanor.
“Where are you headed?” she asked casually.
“Just finished something. Free now.”
Clarissa nodded. There was an awkward pause between them, both unsure what to say.
After a moment, William broke the silence with a small smile. “Would you mind grabbing a drink with me? Just as old friends. I owe you an apology for last time.”
Clarissa shook her head quickly. “No, I should be the one saying sorry. I scared your mom…”
William chuckled, lips twitching upward. “Trust me, my mother’s not that delicate. And the check you sent? It could’ve paid for ten new doors.”
They both laughed, tension easing slightly.
Clarissa realized she had hurt him without meaning to.
Last time, when she impulsively agreed to be with him, it had come from a selfish place—she simply wanted to try dating someone her age. But she hadn’t considered her own feelings, or his.
It was reckless, saying yes to something she wasn’t sure her heart was ready for.
And now, it was time to be honest.
So, when William invited her out, Clarissa agreed.
They ended up at a quiet café not far from the office. It was calm and warm inside, the soft hum of conversation blending with the clink of coffee cups. William chose a window seat and, like a gentleman, pulled out the chair for her.
Clarissa sat down and glanced out. From here, she could just make out the towering silhouette of the Lancaster Group building. In the distance, she could even see the street that led to her old school.
William seemed to notice her gaze and asked casually, “Are you planning to work at Lancaster Group?”
Clarissa shook her head. “No… I’m thinking of starting my own company.”
William raised an eyebrow. “Is that… the Lancaster family’s decision?”
She met his eyes and couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’ve misunderstood. It’s mine. My parents have been nothing but supportive.”
William relaxed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
Just then, the server brought over two cups of coffee and a small plate of pastries.
Clarissa wrapped her hands around the warm cup and took a sip. The fragrance of the coffee was comforting, grounding. She stared at the delicate swirl of latte art, fingers tightening around the porcelain rim.
“William… I’m sorry.”
He looked up, caught off guard. “Why are you apologizing to me?”
“For being irresponsible,” she said quietly. “I used you, in a way. I said yes when I wasn’t sure. That wasn’t fair to you.”
Everything she’d kept bottled up finally spilled out, and when she was done, she felt lighter. Clearer.
William watched her, every flicker of emotion across her face, every subtle movement. She had never liked him.
A faint, bitter smile curved his lips.
Clarissa was kind, sincere—and terrifyingly rational. The kind of woman who always thought before she acted.
He lowered his eyes, voice quiet. “You know… Sometimes I wish you had used me. That way I could at least pretend I was needed.”
Clarissa didn’t know how to respond.
Then he looked up, his tone steady. “You like him, don’t you?”
She froze—she knew exactly who he meant.
Her grip on the coffee cup tightened, knuckles paling. That reaction alone gave him all the answer he needed.
“I just want to understand,” he said, in a whisper. “Why him?”
He hated himself for asking. It made him feel pathetic—like a man begging for crumbs after already being turned away.
Clarissa stayed quiet for a long time before answering, “Maybe… it’s fate.”
That word hung in the air, delicate and weightless.
There really was something indescribable about her connection with Atticus. She didn’t know why, but she always ended up softening around him. Letting things slide. Compromising.
She knew he saw her differently. From the very beginning, he’d carved his way into her heart in a way no one else had.
“Fate…” William repeated, as if tasting the word.
Clarissa glanced at him. “Do you think it’s ridiculous?”
He shook his head, giving her a tired smile. “No. You know what you want.”
She lowered her head, blinking back the sting in her eyes. “I’m sorry…”
She didn’t know when, or why, William had fallen for her. But she couldn’t do what some women might. She couldn’t cling to him for comfort while her heart belonged to someone else.