The next day.
Fresh sunlight infiltrated the room through the parted curtains. Gradually, the whole place filled with brightness to the brim.
The room felt alive and refreshing, but for Luna, it felt like a nightmare.
"God!" Luna grasped her head in her hands and cursed under her breath. "Just what in the world did I do last night?"
She glanced to the side and saw a pill and a glass of water placed neatly on the table. "It must be Sierra." She smiled to herself and quickly took the pill. After the effect set in, she felt much better.
Sitting down, she tried to recall what sort of devilry she had committed last night. But her memories were all mangled. She remembered blackmailing Sierra to come with her to the club, but other than that, everything was hazy.
When Luna picked up her phone, she was startled. Twenty-seven messages from Sierra. After clicking on them, she burst out laughing.
She laughed so hard she almost cried.
If Sierra had witnessed how Luna laughed after learning she had vomited in Sierra's brother's car last night, Sierra would have died from anger.
Luna quickly suppressed her laughter and typed a simple Sorry to Sierra.
Later that day, someone unexpected came to visit Luna. Aunt Maggie sent the butler to inform her. Luna did not want to see that person. So she sent the butler back to politely tell him to "fuck off."
However, Ethan insisted.
Luna didn't want drama. Especially not in front of her family. So she decided to go downstairs herself.
Once she stepped into the drawing room, Ethan stood up instantly. His eyes were dull as he stared at her.
"Lulu..." he whispered; his voice so low that if not for his lips moving, she wouldn't have known he said anything at all.
"Leave." Luna quietly ordered all the maids and servants.
Once the two of them were alone, she glanced at his appearance with cold eyes.
Ethan was someone who took immaculate care of himself. His clothes were always branded and up to trends. His accessories could shut anyone up. In school, girls had called him "Prince Charming." From afar, he looked like someone who would treat a girl like a princess.
But right now?
The same polished man had dark circles, an unshaven face, messy hair, and creased clothes that looked unchanged for days. Even his watch was missing.
Has he appeared like this on purpose so I'll pity him and forgive him? Luna wondered bitterly. After he betrayed her absolute trust, she couldn't help being sceptical.
When he didn't speak for a long time, Luna took the initiative.
"Speak."
"Lulu, I have been waiting—"
"Mr Monroe, you've lost the right to call me that." Her tone was indifferent.
Ethan froze.
Her words made her intentions clear. They were over.
When he couldn't come up with anything for a long time, Luna said, "If that's all, I'll leave."
She turned to go when his voice reached her.
"Luna, please." He stepped forward. But before he could touch her, Luna stepped back. Her eyes remained cold.
Ethan didn't know what to do. He had expected her to scream and hit him. That was how Luna behaved in the past whenever he crossed the line. But this Luna was calm, cold, unfamiliar.
"What do you want now?" Luna's voice was crisp.
She had expected she would scream too, but when he stood before her, she felt nothing—no anger, no sadness.
Just nothing.
It was like he was a stranger.
The hangover only made her more impatient.
"Ethan, you've done what you had to do. What are you here for now?"
Ethan clenched his fists. "Luna, I know I messed up." His voice cracked. He wasn't making excuses; he wasn't blaming anyone else. Through clenched teeth, he whispered, "But... is there no chance for forgiveness?"
Luna let out a soft laugh.
"Forgive you? You don't need forgiveness from me. Honestly, I'm not even angry at you. I'm angry at myself. How stupid of me to put absolute trust in someone I thought I knew."
Ethan flinched.
"For your sake, I even went against my family's wishes..." Luna's eyes softened faintly.
"Luna—"
"Let's forget it, Ethan. Think of it this way—what if it were me? What if I had betrayed your trust? What if you'd caught me fucking another man? Would you have forgiven me this easily?" Her voice was neutral, calm.
"Don't say that." Ethan's voice rose as his possessiveness revealed itself.
"So it's okay when it's you, but unforgivable when it's me?" Luna shook her head. She felt a twinge of sadness. Something inside her had shattered. She would never fully trust anyone again.
"There are final boundaries in everything. And you broke them." She looked at him.
"Goodbye, Ethan."
But Ethan grabbed her arm.
"Lulu, you're angry? Then beat me. Hit me. Take it out on me. But don't do this. You know what you mean to me. You know how important you are. I can't live without you. I just can't! Luna, I—I love—"
"Don't give me that shit!" Luna snapped. Her cold eyes sharpened instantly.
His words awakened something inside her—something she'd rather keep buried.
Fear.
Fear that she might forgive him.
Because she had loved him wholeheartedly for years. Feelings do not die overnight.
A big part of her still wanted his warmth, wanted to collapse in his arms and cry everything out.
No. I won't bow to him. If I do, he'll keep crossing lines.
"Just leave me alone, Ethan. We're over." Her voice was clean, final.
"Lulu..." he whispered again, growing bolder. "Do I not have the slightest chance?"
Luna fell silent.
Can I live without him? Can I forget him? I dreamed of a future with Ethan. If that future isn't real... what do I do?
Her silence made Ethan's expression soften with hope.
"Lulu, I was accepted into a university in Germany. Today's my flight. I'm leaving. But no matter what happens, the place you hold in my heart can't be taken. You're the only one for me."
Luna looked at him, speechless.
"I will come back for you." He whispered and left.
In the following days, while Luna was busy trying to settle her feelings...
something far more terrifying awaited her