Lyra’s POV

It was the night of our fourth anniversary. I was most excited about one thing: tonight, Ethan would finally propose.

I'd heard from his colleagues at the law firm that he was being promoted to senior partner,with the salary to match. During our four years together, I'd often thought we were ready for marriage.

"Baby, I want to wait until I make enough money to give you a stable life before proposing," he always said.

I never cared about whether he made millions,a simple life together would have been enough. But maybe his desire to provide luxury cars and mansions meant he truly loved me. After all, when you love someone, you want to give them the best, right?

Standing before the mirror, I admired my reflection, certain he would propose on our anniversary tonight. I'd specially chosen black lace lingerie,the style he'd mentioned liking more than once. I believed tonight would be our first time making love.

I was ready to lose my virginity.My mother, a conservative woman, had always taught me that premarital sex was sinful. Following her teachings, I never had sex with Ethan before we got married.

Besides the sexy lingerie, I'd bought a revealing red dress that hugged my curves, paired with high heels. My usual work attire was conservative,simple white tees and jeans. Though Ethan thought my style was plain and urged me to change it, I preferred comfort and practicality. Tonight, I'd dressed to his taste, certain he'd be amazed,then it's only natural we end up in bed.

Of course, that wasn't my only surprise. I brought wine and groceries, ready to cook him a romantic candlelit dinner.

When I opened the door to Ethan's apartment, I heard the pleasurable moans.Emma, my stepsister, was on all fours on the sofa as Ethan violently thrust into her.

My stomach churned as I stared at the scene in disgust.I wanted to run away, cry, scream, shout, be sick, and curl up into a ball.But l do not. l am numb and lifeless.

They had their backs to me and didn't notice my arrival.

"Did my goody-two-shoes stepsister ever make you feel this good?" Emma purred between gasps.

Ethan roughly groped her breasts, "That prude? Couldn't even get wet if she tried. I was fucking bored to death."

White-hot rage flooded my veins.So this was his truth?All those nights he'd "respected" my choice to wait just empty words?

We were together for four years, and Ethan definitely knew how much I despised Emma. Her mother was the mistress who stole my father away, and now she's stealing my boyfriend?

The realization hit like a bucket of ice water.I wouldn't be my mother, wouldn't beg or forgive like she did with my cheating father.No.Every betrayer deserves their reckoning, and I'd make damn sure they both paid in blood.

I stormed forward and smashed the bottle of red wine straight into Ethan’s head. The glass shattered, wine splattering everywhere.Then I grabbed the cake I’d bought and slammed it into Emma’s face.

They were caught completely off guard by my sudden attack.I could actually see Ethan’s pathetic dick shrivel up in shock.

"You crazy bitch! Look what you did to my face!"Emma shrieked, wiping cake off her overdone plastic face.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Lyra?!” Ethan roared.

“Me?! You’re the one fucking my stepsister on our anniversary, you cheating piece of shit!” I took out my phone.

Emma lunged at me, raising her hand to slap me, but I quickly snapped a photo of them—naked, disheveled, caught in the act.

“Try it, bitch. One move and your nudes go viral.”

She froze.

Ethan still holding his head, “You wanna know why I cheated, Lyra? Because in four years, you've never been gentle, considerate, or sexy.I never even wanted to fuck you.”

His words made me flush with anger.I had brought expensive wine, carefully prepared food, and even worn the sexy black lace lingerie he had always wanted me to wear. I had planned this perfect night. And this was his excuse?

My heart was shattered, but I refused to show weakness.I sneered,"You think I wanted you to touch me? Let me spell it out for you. Your dick is tiny, and you have no clue how to use it."

His face twisted.

I turned to Emma. “Congratulations on winning my trash.Must be exhausting faking all those moans. Poor thing,he’s never even found a woman’s G-spot in his life.”

I gave Ethan the middle finger, "I break up with you, we're over!"

Before either of them could react, or worse, snatch my phone,I bolted out the door.

I ran aimlessly through the streets, tears streaming down my face. The earlier bravado had been fueled by pure rage. Now that the anger was fading, I felt lost and empty.

Everything I'd seen felt surreal, like a nightmare. Ethan and I had met in college. While I was studying, my mother had fallen seriously ill and could no longer work. I had to take on extra jobs:waitressing, tutoring, doing anything I could just to keep food on the table for her and my sister. He had been a law student from a similarly modest background. After graduation, I stood by him through his job search, saved up to buy him gifts, and even covered his bar exam fees, yet I always insisted on splitting our bills equally. I had loved him that deeply.

The more I thought about it, the more my heart ached. In my devastated state, I stumbled into a bar.

Music floats through the bar and people sit around quietly drinking and making conversation until I walk in looking like a wreck. My mascara was probably running down my face, but I couldn't care less.

I ignore the stares from men as I walk up to the bar, collapsing onto a seat.

"What can I get you?" The bartender asks.

"Vodka. Keep them coming." I say firmly. Tonight, I just want to drink until I can't feel anything anymore.

The spicy liquid burns a path down my throat, and I can't hold back the coughs that force their way out of my chest. He slides a second glass toward me. I down the alcohol, again coughing as the liquid burns my chest.

I can’t remember how many shots I'd had. The room was spinning, and when I checked the time, it was already midnight.I struggled to stand, my legs wobbling beneath me. As I grabbed the bar counter for support and turned around after paying, I collided with a solid chest.

Long legs led up to a broad, muscular frame with a black dress shirt stretched tight across it.Through my blurred vision, I found myself staring at the drop-dead gorgeous man.Golden hair, slightly disheveled from what was probably once a neat style, framed striking green eyes.

He steadied me with gentle hands as I stumbled, preventing me from falling face-first onto the concrete floor.

"Thank you, handsome," I smiled. "You have very nice arms."

He just smiled and said nothing, while gently moving my hands away from his arms.

"Sit here," he said, pulling out a chair.

"I'd rather stay here," I slurred, leaning against his chest."Wanna take me to your place tonight?

I was completely drunk now. Right now, I was acting like one of those girls who pick up random guys in bars，ready to spread my legs for any man who'd give me attention.

Back in high school,I was the nerd who spent every free moment either studying or working, wearing ratty clothes that no one would look twice at. At prom, I stood in the corner in my yellowed old dress, watching others dance.

Even in college, things didn’t get better.That’s when I met Ethan.He was different,gentle, patient, never looking down on me for my worn-out clothes or empty wallet. When he held me, I thought, This is it. He’ll be my first... my only.

But reality hit hard. Turns out he preferred girls like my stepsister,the type who flirted with any guy who walked by.

Mom always taught me to respect myself. But what was wrong with me that made Ethan cheat?If my first time wasn’t with Ethan, then it might as well have been with anyone. Why not let loose for once?Ethan could fuck my stepsister, so me sleeping with a stranger means nothing.I’d dressed up tonight,might as well not waste it.

I curl into him as a thrill rushes through my body. I shouldn’t, but I want more of his touch. More warmth.

"You're warm... and you smell nice."I continued,"Take me home."

He tensed suddenly, then leaned in and whispered, "Are you sure?"

I nodded.Through my alcohol-induced haze, I was too far gone to care. I let him lead me away.