Lyla lies a lot

By Ariana Oman

"What is a lie to Lyla? It is simply another sentence that comes out of her mouth. She doesn't care if it is false. Doesn't care who gets hurt by it. Getting what she wants is all that matters to Lyla."

Theo's unbreakable bond with his son runs deep in his heart. To remain close to Jaxon, he is willing to endure his ex-wife's deceitful talents. That is until Lyla attempts the unthinkable, jeopardizing Jaxon's life. Lyla can fool anyone, even the sheriff's deputy who investigates allegations against her. She uses her forked tongue to maneuver out of situations that would land anyone else in jail. And someone does go to jail, because of Lyla. To protect Jaxon, Theo is forced to make the hardest decision of his life. A father's love transcends distance, time, and evil. Is it enough to release Jaxon from Lyla's grip?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886445367

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

About the Author

cover.jpg

Lyla lies a lot

Ariana Oman

ISBN 979-8-88644-535-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88644-643-2 (Hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88644-536-7 (Digital)

Copyright © 2023 Ariana Oman

All rights reserved

First Edition

Lyla Lies a Lot is a work of fiction. The author’s imagination generated the names, characters, businesses, places (or are used fictitiously), events, and incidents. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or deceased), events and incidents, or locals is solely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Prologue

Going Inside

He will be in the courtroom tomorrow. That makes six days total he will have been stuck in this tiny jail. The inmate next door calls him M-Nine, the cell number he has been assigned. He has a name, but no one there cares. Mom and Dad are waiting to know how much money is needed for bail. The judge is delaying his bond hearing, probably because of the charges. Domestic violence are harsh words to swallow. He has a good job working as an electrical journeyman, the youngest on his team. There is money in his bank account; maybe he will not need to depend on his parents to help pay the bail bondsman.

He owns his house and acres for horses to roam; his dreams were coming true. Not bad for only being twenty-five, he is thinking. Life is unfolding as he had planned, that is until the sheriff's deputies showed up at his door Friday evening, four days ago. A warrant for your arrest and violating an injunction is all they would say. It is a false accusation; he did not violate the injunction. His attorney said he will get his turn to defend himself, but first he has to wait for bail to be set so he can begin to sort it all out. The timing kept him in jail over the weekend. He is alone, and deep down he is scared. This is a small county, and he is not from around here, but his ex-girlfriend is. Lilly is the one who made the accusation and swears she has the proof.

Shock reverberated in his body for two days, then frustration set in. He does not have his cell phone. He is without internet and email and text messages and precious phone calls to hear compassionate voices on the other end. Hours pass slowly. His mind examines every thought and every action that led him here. He blames almost everyone in his life, especially Lilly. This was her attempt at revenge and to ruin his reputation.

The union representative secured his temporary leave of absence; his attorney confirmed that during their last conversation. Emma, his girlfriend, found him an attorney. From the courtyard, she talks to her boyfriend but cannot hear him as he is too far away. She is uncertain which cell he is in, but blows kisses and tells him she loves him. The COVID-19 patient, who calls him M-Nine, yells out to her; Emma ignores him. He is not in the county jailhouse. Instead, he is locked up in a medical housing facility for inmates. At least his diabetes gave him that favor, a private cell.

Curled up on an unclean mattress, he cries at night. He has nothing but time to think and feel. Though he has run through every conversation and scenario, his mind is not done. It keeps going back to one person. Abandoned was the word he finally said in a whisper to himself. That is what his father did to him, abandoned him. It was committed not by the dad who raised him, but by the father who left him behind.

He thought about the last time he saw his father, and ten years seemed about right. He was fifteen or maybe sixteen, it does not really matter. His father turned his back on him and rarely returns his phone calls. He used to hate him for the outright rejection. Alone in his cell with nothing but hours and silence as his companions, he begs for his father's voice and words he longs to hear. I love you, son. Those words do not come.

Chapter 1

Lyla

Mirror, mirror hanging on my small wall, she said. Looking into the oval entryway mirror, Lyla performed a quick exam to be sure no breakfast morsels clung to her straight but yellowed teeth. Then her eyes glanced at her face; she was captivated. She studied the bags under her eyes and deepening wrinkles surrounding them. Her large nose seemed even more pronounced. Her chin appeared pointier. Her face paid a price for her lack of calories. She shifted her wig. Eyebrows were not painted on. She did not mind if people noticed they were missing. It gave her an opportunity to explain alopecia. Lyla inhaled deeply.

Mommy, a muffled voice called out from the van and spilled into the house. Jaxon was strapped to his car seat; he had grown impatient. The garage was getting warm; Florida humidity was high, though it was late spring. He was sweating. His mother was nowhere in sight.

She curled her lips and slowly let out her breath then resumed her facial examination. As her eyes scanned, her mind drifted. She forgot about her thirty-four-year-old face that even she could see looked more like a woman in her late fifties. She blamed her rapid aging on relentless battles with extreme eczema. Lyla clenched her teeth when she recalled her doctor warning her that the cortisone may cause premature wrinkling. Ceasing the misery caused by itching was worth it over the years, except now wrinkles were haunting her. Eczema and ineffective medications had taken a toll on her skin. That crappy doctor should have told me it would be like this. Look at me. How am I gonna snatch another husband?

Divorce was eminent; she knew it. Every maneuver she could think of did not avert the inevitable. She even offered he keep his girlfriend but on the side, hidden away, and certainly never in public. She was willing to accept new marital parameters, with one stipulation that Theo was not to flaunt his girlfriend. Lyla could tolerate his infidelity, not the embarrassment if friends and family knew he preferred someone else. Theo refused her offer. Instead, he moved out. She wondered if this was his first affair. High school sweethearts, ten years of marriage, and a young son—Lyla never thought Theo would leave her. Looking straight into her eyes, she grinned to herself. If he knew how many affairs I've had, he would've divorced me long ago.

Lyla thought about Jeff. Her husband's best friend had stayed with them for a few months while he transitioned from a divorce to a life of freedom. It was possible, yet not probable, her husband had figured it out. She could not resist the smile forming on her face. It was a sweet memory, she and Jeff smothering their naked bodies in Theo's bed. An affair right under his nose was daring; it posed no real harm to her marriage. Her husband was easy to control and manipulate. Theo was willing to accept her lame lies and was too immersed in work to notice she and Jeff were lovers. Heat flushed her face as a thought flashed in her mind. Lyla's smile melted away. She may have jeopardized her marriage once by pushing marital boundaries too far, but that was years ago—four to be exact.

Lyla was younger and had a better chance of moving up in husband selections back then; risks were not as serious if their marriage fell apart. She tilted her head to the side when she realized that perhaps one indiscretion may have opened a dangerous door to divorce. Lyla's heart raced as she recalled meeting him at an out-of-town conference. She could not remember his name. His name was of no consequence anyway. He was drinking, dancing, and focused on her. Four years ago, she and Theo had been fighting. She felt relief when her husband left early; he opted for a hotel bed rather than a dance floor with strangers. Lyla stayed. She did not want to cuddle up to her husband in bed. She wanted to dance, and there were enough drunks to accommodate her. Lyla finally went to bed that night, but it was much later than acceptable. Breakfast the next morning with Whatshisname was probably too much. Her husband did not object. He was like that. That is why Lyla was shocked when Theo announced he was moving out. He did not attempt to hide his new girlfriend either; that bothered Lyla.

She had suspected Theo's betrayal for months. A girlfriend was not a marriage breaker—at least not for Lyla. A twenty-four-month-old son anchored them in their marriage, or so she had believed. Lyla replayed that night in her mind when she danced with some guy until the wee hours. Her new, albeit brief, lover was staring deep into her eyes as they ate an early breakfast together. The fact that her husband slept in a stale hotel room six floors up did not trouble Lyla. She felt alive, desirable, and free. Standing in the entryway, her heart thumped hard, and she felt a sexual surge. The memory stirred her mind and body. Her soul remained dormant.

Mommy?

Lyla turned toward the open garage door and said, I'm coming. She looked back into the mirror once again. Staring back at her was a young, pretty woman. Her skin was tight and fresh. Her eyes sparkled. Her hair flowed. Lyla smiled to that image. She was back to herself again. In her mind, it was a glitch—that haggard, ugly woman in the mirror. Lyla decided that the morning light refracting into the mirror distorted her image. He should have found a prettier girlfriend. People are going to compare her to me and realize he is sinking to scum levels of the pond. Lyla closed the entryway door behind her.

Running a tad late this morning, Lyla said to her cell phone. Is this gonna hold you up?

Theo's mother replied, Not at all. Don't rush. How is Jax today?

A grump, Lyla replied. She looked in the rearview mirror. Looking out of his window, Jaxon sat quietly. Slyly, she said, Not unlike your son, Wilma.

Oh, I know you had your hands full with the both of them. Maybe Theo will come to his senses and realize what he is giving up. That girlfriend of his certainly isn't going to take care of him. She's looking out for her own interests. She doesn't care that she is tearing apart a young family. What is my son thinking? With his—

Jax, why don't you put your headphones on? Lyla quickly commanded her son. Looking ahead as she navigated traffic, Lyla said to Wilma, Jax loves country music.

Sorry. I get so angry, Wilma explained.

Lyla assured her, So do I. Ma, you and I aren't going to change his mind. I did all I could to be a good wife, a good mother. I've devoted myself to him since I was sixteen. He's my whole world. And the only man I've ever been with. I can't imagine being with…well, I mean just the thought—

Oh, Lyla. Don't go there. Theo will figure this out. It's a fling. She's trash. You are a precious, brilliant diamond. In his heart, he knows that.

He's getting his own lawyer. Says he can't trust me. I have no intention of hurting him. Just want a fair divorce settlement and to move on with my life with Jaxon.

It's not over. You two can work this out. You want me to talk to Theo? He's been avoiding me lately. But I am his mother. He'll listen to me.

I'm so lucky to have you as my mother-in-law. You're also my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without your help and your friendship.

Wilma encouragingly said, Lyla, you have all my love and support. And that will never change no matter what happens. You know that.

Lyla's voice was three octaves higher when she said, Thank you, Ma. I do know that. She was giving her mother-in-law the impression she was stifling a cry.

Wilma told her, Don't let all this get to you. It will work out. You'll see. I'll see you two in a bit. You drive safely, and don't worry about your future. You do what you need to right now to make things whole again in your family.

Okay. Lyla sniffled loud enough for Wilma to hear it over the phone. I'll see ya. Thanks, Ma. I love you.

Love you too, sweetheart, said Wilma then disconnected.

Lyla looked in the rearview mirror again. Jaxon was contently staring out his window while music streamed in his ears. She smiled and dialed the phone. He answered. The sound of his voice was comforting. Hello stranger, she said.

Glad you called. In the van? he asked.

Jax is in the backseat with his headphones on. We are on our way to Ma-Ma's. And I'm feeling a hunger building up.

I can take care of that for you. How soon can you be here?

Dan, are you desperate for me?

More like ready to feed that hunger of yours, Dan replied.

Big appetite? she teased.

"Oh, yeah. Big is a good word."

Ha. That's what she said.

Lyla, there is no one but you. You know that. I've told you. I can't wait until you are divorced. I want to stop hiding. I love you. I love Jax. I guess you need to hear it more. My sweet Lyla, Theo has starved you for so long. You deserve happiness.

I do, don't I. There's a few obstacles to take care of. But, like I told you, Theo isn't interested in being a husband or a father. Never has been. Never will. He didn't want a family. Or me for that matter.

His loss. I want you. Jax deserves a father. Not that jerk who doesn't care—

Language, she reminded him.

Yep. Sorry. You both deserve so much better, and soon you will be living that life. I can't wait to take care of you.

Lyla said with a lilt in her voice, By golly, that almost sounded like a marriage proposal.

Dan answered, I know it's only been six months. I have no doubts you two are my family. He paused then decided to say it even if he was premature and risked being deflected. I want to make it official. A proposal that is special and unforgettable is what you deserve. So, this is not a proposal. Just letting you know where I stand.

Lyla wispily said, I feel the same way. She sneezed.

Did you just sneeze? Dan asked her.

Yep. Allergies. It's that time of year. Which reminds me. I hope you like cats. I'm thinking about adopting two. Theo is allergic to cats. I grew up with them. We had two. One for me and one for my sister. Now that Theo has moved out, I don't see any reason why I can't get a couple of cats. Unless you don't—

Love cats. Not a problem. No allergies. And I find their purring soothing.

Lyla said, Purrrfect.

That's my girl, he replied. Dan was relieved to hear Lyla was eager to begin their life together. This was real. It was going to be permanent. What a severe course change his life was taking. He was not ready for marriage or an instant child until that fateful moment when Lyla smiled to him from across the room.

I can't wait to be with you this weekend. Neither can Jax, Lyla said.

Dan asked her, Theo bail on him again for the weekend?

Does Theo do anything right, for me or Jax? Lyla sighed. Are you complaining? A weekend with us—

Shi— Um. I mean, heck no. That makes it a perfect weekend.

Lyla said, We'll have to come up with a fake name for you. I don't want Theo to figure out who you are until everything is settled. Jax has been saying your name lately. How about having him call you Ray.

Ray?

Ray of sunshine in our lives, Lyla explained.

Works for me. Won't that confuse Jax?

He'll accept anything we tell him. He's two. And it's only for a little while until the divorce is finalized.

Ray, huh.

Ray of hope, Lyla confirmed. Okay, I'm pulling up to Ma-Ma's house, and she is standing on the front porch, Lyla lied. Gotta run. I'll see you soon. Keep things up for me. Lyla smiled.

Oh, yeah. Okay. I love you both.

Lyla disconnected their call. She giggled to herself. Looks like I've already got one offer for marriage in the works. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment. I don't want to make the same mistake by jumping too soon. There might be a better prospect on the horizon. She realized Dan's pockets were not deep. He rented, no house in the asset column. Dan likes pot too much. He might be a dead end. Maybe one of my more affluent old flings should be revisited. For Lyla, the day was going well thus far. One more call to complete the morning. Idiot better answer, she said out loud.

Lyla, he said blandly.

Hello to you too, dear husband. And how is your day?

Well, you called. I'm hoping it will get better after this.

Think again, butthead. Jaxon will be with me this weekend. He's under the weather, and I don't want to stress him. Moving him from one household to another—

No. You're not doing this. Two weeks, Lyla. I haven't seen my son in two weeks. Bebe and I will take care of him if he is actually under the weather. We are just as capable to care for Jaxon as you are.

Your girlfriend is not his mother. I am. That tramp will never be in his life. He's my son. You sorry son—

Stop it, Lyla. You cannot control what I do or who I'm with. He is my son too. And he needs his father.

Too bad, Theo. I'll say it slowly so you can keep up. You ignorant boob. You are not getting him this weekend.

Theo screamed, You are as cruel as you are ugly! He huffed. You do this just to punish me. This has nothing to do with Jaxon being under the weather.

Lyla kept her cool demeanor and said, I'm the only one who has his best interest in all my decisions. You just want to use him to keep your nasty girlfriend around.

Theo hesitated, he was restraining himself. He said in a controlled tone, She has a name. Bebe. Theo clenched his teeth while saying, "And the word nasty belongs to the wrinkled witch you've become. Frustration seeped in his tone as he said, You were never pretty. Hair or no hair. Wrinkles or nor wrinkles. Your evil is now showing itself on the outside of you. Theo relaxed his jaw. You'd think you'd compensate for being ugly with a nicer personality like you pretended to have in high school. He paused. Here I go again. I fell into the hole you dug for me. I'm not doing this with you. He breathed deeply then said, You wanna keep him from me this weekend? We'll see what my attorney can do to get regular visitations. I miss my son. He needs his father, Lyla. You said you would cooperate with—"

I told you. He's not feeling well. His blood sugar was low this morning. It has been all week. You aren't used to managing his diabetes like Ma-Ma and me.

Don't bring my mother into this. Is he in the van with you? I want to talk with my son.

Can't, she lied. Pulling up to Wilma's house now. Lyla had an aversion to telling the truth. It did not matter if she was or was not at Wilma's house. There was no reason to lie except that she enjoyed doing it, especially to Theo. And I have an appointment I'm running late for. Call your mom if ya wanna speak with your son.

You have your talons in my mom. Theo sighed. This hurts Jaxon, Lyla. Jaxon.

Have a nice day, dear. Lyla did not bother to hang up. She knew Theo was already reaching for the button. Theo was upset; Lyla was satisfied and on the verge of feeling elation. He was not getting what he wanted. She dangled Jaxon in front of him then she snatched him away. What a delight to do that to him once again, and at the start of the day. He would have the rest of his day to simmer over it. Poor Theo. Lyla smirked when she said it.

In her mind, he deserved her punishment and much more. Lyla was determined to exact her revenge on Theo again and again. It angered him. It frustrated him. She loved knowing she could do that to him. He was taking away her house and married life, all the things she ever wanted. That was much worse than anything she had done to Theo, affairs included, she believed. Her husband was used to getting what he wanted, most of everything was handed to him. He grew up that way. His family home was in the neighborhood that had big backyards and percolated the aroma of fresh cut grass. Lyla grew up in a house that was crammed next her neighbors who left their cars in the front yard, on cement blocks. It was common in Lyla's neighborhood to throw used tires and car parts behind the house; there was no yard. Grass was a luxury; her neighborhood did not have sprinkler systems. Weeds were the norm. Loud, obnoxious music and a man screaming at his wife, those were the sounds of Lyla's neighborhood when she was growing up. Theo had a pool and a trampoline in his backyard. Happy screams from kids playing and pop music flowing from large speakers sitting on their screened porch, that was Theo's world. All the popular girls in high school talked about him. His mom made snacks afterschool for Theo and his friends. There were no snacks waiting for Lyla when she got home from school. She was glad when there was enough food for dinner. Far too often, dinner at young Lyla's house consisted of scrambled eggs and whatever was on the verge