Chapter 143: Heiress Turned Avenger
His touch was firm yet uncharacteristically tender, his gaze searching hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
His hands rose to cup her face, rough palms cradling her cheeks with surprising care. Tilting her face upward, he brushed his thumb across the lone tear that had slipped down her skin, wiping it away as though erasing the evidence of her vulnerability. He hesitated for only a moment before leaning down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. The warmth of his lips contrasted with the cool air between them, grounding her in the moment.
"I’ll be outside," he said quietly, his voice so gentle it felt like a whisper against her soul. Ephyra could only nod, the lump in her throat rendering her incapable of words.
Lyle’s eyes lingered on her, sharp and unwavering, as if committing every detail of her expression to memory. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he stepped back and left, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Ephyra stood frozen, staring at the empty space where he had been moments before. Her mind swirled with a chaos of emotions she couldn’t name, her body still betraying her by trembling faintly. Slowly, she raised her hands to cover her face, letting out a frustrated groan as the weight of everything crashed down on her.
"When did I turn into such a mess?" she muttered bitterly, her voice muffled by her hands. "What the hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I just get a grip?"
...
It took her longer than she cared to admit to collect herself, but when she finally descended the stairs, her exterior was carefully composed, a contrast to the turmoil beneath. She wore a pleated denim skirt with an oversized belt slung low on her hips, paired with a slightly baggy cropped top that bared just enough skin, paired with a pair of Platform boots, their heels echoing softly against the polished floor with each step. Her hair, pulled into a messy bun, framed her face in a way that seemed intentionally careless.
As she reached the bottom step, she paused, straightening her shoulders and inhaling deeply before stepping forward.