If That Is What You Want✔

39

In that brief moment it all became devastating clear to Lyra. She quickly picked up a picture of herself and followed them to the living room.

"You both knew!" Lyra yelled. "All this time, you knew!?" Lyra pushed the picture into their faces, "You knew he did this to me and you still ... how could you!" Lyra looked at her father with tears in her eyes.

Her father stood straight, squaring his shoulders and his jaw. Lyra narrowed her eyes and took a step back from her parents. She swallowed audibly then spoke slowly as her tremulous voice portrayed the anger and hurt she was trying to hide.

"You knew when you accepted his proposal what type of person he is."
"It was part of the deal when he invested in your father's company." Her mother said quickly.
"You sold your own daughter!" Lyra's eyes widened and she covered her mouth felling ill.
"Your father would never sell you, think of it as a dowry-" Mrs. Via said but slammed her mouth shut when the vein in Lyra's forehead appeared.
"Please leave, now." Lyra's voice finally apathetic.
"Lyra calm down, let's just sit and discuss this over some nice tea while you open your gifts." Her mother cajoled pulling Lyra's gifts from her luggage and placing them on the coffee table.
"There are no amount of words, tea or bribes that will erase the truth you. You are horrible parents. Who sells their own daughter like company stock or shares?" Lyra said somberly.
"Lyra, stop behaving like a spoiled child! The contract has been made and that's the end of it! The sooner you accept this, the sooner we can put this matter behind us!" Mr. Via said sternly. Lyra snorted.
"Lyra, we can get through this, together." Her mother reached out to her but Lyra walked to the kitchen.
"I don't know what kind of Faustian deal you made but I am not your property. I will not be apart of it and that's final." Lyra stated firmly.
"Lyra you're being selfish!" Her mother called.
"I'm being selfish? You made a deal to sell your only daughter to a murderer to save your company, lifestyle and reputation." Lyra replied as she picked up the trash bag to take it out only to come face to face with her father.
"You will do as you are told!" Her father slapped her making her drop the bag back into the can.

Lyra turned to face her father as Larry pulled her out of his reach then shielded her. Laurent stood in her father's path to keep him from getting near her.

"Quindi sei disposto a battermi finché non ti rendo conto della tua volontà. Sei altrettanto brutto come lui."
(So you are willing beat me until I yield to your will. You're as bad as he is.) Lyra sneered as stars filled her vision in one eye.

"I'm sure Nonna would love to hear you explain your Faustian deal to her and why my face is red and swelling." Lyra picked up her phone.

"I know you are upset right now. We'll let you calm down and talk again later." Her mother closed her luggage, grabbed her husband, and headed for the door.

Laurent prepared an ice pack for her face while Larry guided her to the couch. Lyra heard the door close a few moments later and asked Larry to lock the door.

"You need something?" Laurent asked as she stood up before he realized her phone was buzzing.
"Yes." Her voice still sounded deadly as she answered the phone. "Do what you want. You heard me Q, I don't care!" Lyra sat down and leaned against the back of the couch.

"You want to talk?" Laurent asked pulling her to lean against him.
"What is left to say?" Lyra replied handing the ice pack back to Laurent. "My parents think we live in 13th century Italy."
"You marry him?" Larry asked.
"I should have castrated him when I had the chance." Lyra replied getting up. "I'm going to get some air."
"You want," Laurent started but she walked out the door before he finished. "me to go with you?"

Laurent sighed as he got up to help his brother cleanup the photos but Larry was sitting on the floor looking at them. They were horrified and angry at the pictures of Lyra battered and bruised, but finally understand why she lost it when Larry hurt her.