Lyra's POV – Clinic Lobby
The waiting room of the clinic smelled like antiseptic and citrus peel.
Lyra sat with her hands wrapped around a paper cup of water. It was warm in her palms. Too warm.
Talia sat beside her, silent for once.
They didn't speak as the nurse called Lyra's name. Just a glance. A squeeze to her forearm. Then Lyra stood and followed the woman in scrubs down the hallway.
Inside the consultation room, the lights were low. The doctor's voice was soft. Professional. Unthreatening.
Lyra answered each question carefully.
Yes.
Six weeks, maybe seven.
No, she hadn't told the father.
No, there was no bond.
Yes, she was aware of the corporate policies.
Yes, she understood the risks.
Blood drawn. Vitals checked.
A faint blur on the scan.
She stared at the monitor too long.
Not looking for a shape.
Just something that made it feel real.
---
The test finished right on time as Talia plan.
They walked two blocks in silence.
Talia stopped first. "So. It's official?"
Lyra nodded.
"And healthy?"
"So far."
Talia nodded, slow, then turned toward the nearest coffee stand. Two orders later, they leaned on the curb like nothing had changed.
Talia sipped her drink. Then said, too casually, "You didn't talk to one of our CEO's cousins, did you? Because that would be a mess."
Lyra glanced sideways.
Talia's tone turned clinical. "Let's see. The Womanizer. Loud, smug, leaves a cologne trail longer than his attention span."
Lyra didn't answer.
Talia kept going. "Second Womanizer. Less loud, more charming. Also: affairs. Plural."
Still nothing.
"The Career Bot. Wouldn't risk his schedule for an Omega unless she came with fiscal projections."
Lyra looked away.
Talia's voice softened. "Or the widower. Sweet. Sad. Quiet since his wife died. Talks like he's still married."
A beat passed.
"It's a Dorne," Talia said gently.
"But which kind of mistake are we dealing with. Reckless, calculated, or emotional?"
Lyra stared into her tea.
Talia finally added, "You don't have to say. Just don't let it swallow you."
---
Theo's POV – Executive Wing
He spotted her first in the corridor near the records elevator. Talia Aniq, moving like she had every right to be there.
"Lost?" he asked.
Talia didn't flinch. "Looking for answers."
Theo raised a brow. "Try the Boardroom. They hoard most of them."
"Funny. You think you're subtle," she said, stepping closer. "But you've been orbiting Lyra like a scent monitor."
"I monitor everyone."
"Right. Because it's normal to manually track stairwell usage and elevator heat traces."
Theo didn't blink. "You really think I'm the one watching her closest?"
Talia's expression shifted.
"Fair," she said. "But you know what's worse than being watched?"
He waited.
"Being seen. And she knows it. She feels it."
Theo leaned against the wall. "So what's your angle?"
"I'm her friend. I protect her."
He nodded once. "Then you should keep doing that. She's going to need it."
---
Cassian's POV – Executive Wings
He hadn't called for Theo. But Theo showed up anyway.
A manila folder. Unlabeled.
"Footage clearance came through."
Cassian didn't speak as he opened it.
Still frames from the Gala. Hallway. Private elevator lobby. 11:37 PM.
She was there.
Lyra Elmont. Hair pinned up, mouth parted slightly, looking like she'd been pulled into something against her better judgment.
And behind her, him. Not looking at the camera. But his hand was visible.
At her waist.
The breath left his lungs before he noticed it had caught.
He closed the folder.
"You knew," Theo said quietly.
Cassian didn't look up. "I remembered."
Theo didn't press. Just nodded and turned to leave.
When the door clicked shut, Cassian exhaled.
His fingers tapped once against the cover of the folder.
Lyra Elmont.
He still didn't know what he would do.
But he knew one thing.
He wasn't letting anyone else decide for him