Lyra sat beside Alice's bed, holding the frail woman's hand as monitors beeped steadily in the background. Alice's breathing had grown labored, her skin ashen against the stark white hospital sheets.
"Your brother will be here soon," Lyra reassured her, gently squeezing her hand. "Just hold on a little longer."
Alice's eyes fluttered open, tears gathering at the corners. "I was such a fool," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Save your strength," Lyra urged, but Alice shook her head weakly.
"You need to know," Alice insisted. "So you can tell Damian..." She paused, gathering her strength. "I thought I was proving something."
Lyra leaned closer as Alice's voice dropped even lower.
"Two years ago, I married Richard against my family's wishes," Alice explained, each word seeming to cost her tremendous effort. "Damian asked me to keep my fortune hidden. Just for two years. To test Richard's character."
