I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 2

Those in the audience who knew the truth couldn't help but scoff.

"Lyra really has no bottom line. Her husband gets caught at a hotel with another woman, and here she is, rushing to run PR for him. You won't find a more pathetic pushover anywhere."

"No kidding. If it were me, I would've walked out on that humiliation a long time ago."

"She'd never leave him. Back when she wanted to marry Max, she pulled every desperate stunt in the book. If Max hadn't been worried about a scandal—and if he hadn't needed a convenient human shield for Aria—she never would've had a chance to join the Sterlings."

"Speaking of which, Max goes to insane lengths to protect Aria. He could have just clarified that she was his adopted sister to smooth things over, but instead, he forced Lyra to take the bullet."

"If Max publicized her identity as his sister, how could they ever be together officially down the line?"

"Exactly. He's just waiting for Aria to win Best Actress so he can propose to her."

"When that happens, someone's going to throw an epic tantrum..."

On stage, Lyra linked her arm through Aria's, smiling sweetly at the press. "Aria and I are incredibly close friends. She only came with Max that day to keep me company. I hope everyone stops spreading baseless rumors."

"That's right! I definitely wouldn't want to ruin things between Lyra and Max," Aria chimed in seamlessly.

The two put on a flawless display of sisterly affection, but the second they returned to the lounge, Aria forcefully shoved Lyra away.

She shot Lyra a look of pure disgust, yanking a tissue from the box to wipe her hands before marching toward the door.

Moments later, Maxwell pushed the door open. "It's not safe for Aria to go home alone. I'm going to drop her off. Find your own way back."

He grabbed Lyra's arm, pulling her toward the exit.

Lyra stumbled to keep up. Her empty stomach burned with a fiery ache. She yanked her arm free. "You're always so fiercely protective, Mr. Sterling. No wonder everyone mistakes the true nature of your relationship."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify