Doubly Betrayed

Lyra believes she has found salvation in her husband, Dale Quinn, who rescued her from the wreckage of her mother's drowning and her sister River's betrayal. But when she overhears Dale speaking in Italian with his friend Mark Green, she learns the truth: Dale married her only to secure a pardon letter for River, who deliberately drowned their mother, and he has been feeding Lyra contraceptives disguised as antidepressants.

Lyra's mother died saving River, who could swim and pushed her under. River then married Lyra's former fiancé, Lucius Lane, while Dale became Lyra's legal guardian to keep River out of prison. Now Lyra knows her love was a carefully staged lie, and she resolves to give them exactly what they want.

As Dale continues his performance of devotion, Lyra signs divorce papers and discovers River's photograph and a sapphire necklace hidden in his study, a gift meant for another woman.