When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 43

Lemira nestled into his embrace, her expression a mix of dazed and silly.

Orion looked down, his gaze landing on her smooth forehead, her damp hair dripping between them, spreading the wetness to her clothes, making them slightly see-through.

He cleared his throat, letting her go, “The clothes are brand new, never worn. The shoes, well, you'll have to make do for today.”

Lemira saw the clothes he placed in the foyer and blushed, “Thanks.”

Orion, seeing her unguarded demeanor, couldn’t help but nag, “Don’t just open the door to anyone at night.”

“Because I knew it had to be you knocking.”

Her gaze was steady and calm. Orion met her eyes, and then quickly looked away, awkwardly saying, “Just remember to double lock the door.”

Lemira stood at the doorway, her lips curling up slightly as she looked back at the unfamiliar room, ready to start her new life.

While charging her phone on the bed, she noticed dozens of missed calls, almost all from Lucian. There was also a call from Alaric, but it had only rung three times before he hung up.

Opening her messages, she saw Lucian’s texts, “Lemmy, where are you? Stop being mad, okay? Come back, and I’ll make Alaric apologize to you!

Lemmy, you know you can’t hide for long in Lyria. If Asher finds out, it won’t end well.

Lemmy, we’re family, aren’t we? Can’t you forgive us?”

As Lemira read these, her gaze grew colder.

Unforgivable!

The next day, she went to school.

Lemira and Orion took a cab to school together. She glanced back at him, “I’ll head to class first.”

Orion watched her safely enter the school before turning away.

Putting on a show of concern, Evelina spoke, “Lemmy, you didn’t come home last night. Where were you? Lucian was worried sick. Even if you’re mad, you shouldn’t joke about your safety.”

Lemira knew Evelina would stir trouble.

Her lackey chimed in, “Eve, Lemira’s just ungrateful. Thinking she’s all that after winning the match, acting out and leaving home.”

Another lackey scoffed, “I bet Lemira and that doctor are dating. She’s shacking up with him, already seducing men at her age.”

Lemira raised an eyebrow, “No wonder everyone says you two have the foulest mouths. Now I see it for myself.”

Noticing something, Evelina quickly added, “Lemmy, I’m so jealous you have family worried about you, and yet you’re acting so recklessly. It’s just wrong.”

“Are we close? Cut the act. No one here’s watching your drama. Doesn’t it tire you?”

“Lemira, how can you talk like that? Eve was worried sick about you too. You’re clearly in the wrong here. Are we not supposed to mention it?”