Lyra’s refusal to lend her expensive car to her greedy cousin sparked more than petty retaliation. A wake-up call. Lyra had to decide whether to keep the peace or speak up for herself due to family pressure, broken rules, and harm. Once drawn, certain lines change everything.

I’m Lyra, and I’ve always been told to be better. In our household, that expression means, “Give Bryn what she wants so she doesn’t throw a fit.”

Our mothers are sisters, therefore Bryn is much more than a cousin. We were raised as siblings, not relatives. Since her family lived five streets away, we always visited each other.

Mom watched her after school, and Aunt Faye did when mom worked. I lost track of times we shared clothing, snacks, even a bedroom.