I scrolled through, bile rising in my throat as I took it all in. This was what he’d chosen over everything we’d built. Anger burned hot and fast, numbing the ache in my chest, and I knew what I had to do.
I sent a message to my emissary, my trusted aide for all things legal and confidential.
"The council needs to be aware of what’s happening," I typed, my fingers steady. "Begin the proceedings to sever my bond with Jaxon."
After hitting send, I looked up one last time. My heart screamed at me to walk away, but my legs wouldn’t move. Just then, Amara’s eyes met mine across the road. She wore a smug smile, as if she’d known all along that she would win this twisted game. It was a taunt, one that cut through me deeper than any blade. And Jaxon? He remained at her side, oblivious to the storm that was about to break...
My phone buzzed again, jolting me from my thoughts, and I glanced down. It was my mother. The timing couldn’t have been worse. She’d come all this way to visit, eager to see us—her daughter and son-in-law—together, unaware of the painful truth tearing through my heart.
I felt a wave of dread wash over me, tightening my throat. What could I say? How could I even begin to explain?
With a shaky breath, I pressed the phone to my ear, trying to steady my voice. “Hi, Mom,” I greeted, forcing a brightness I didn’t feel.
“Luna! There you are. I’ve been calling for hours,” she said with a laugh. “I thought maybe we could all have dinner tonight. Just the three of us. It’s been so long since we’ve sat down together.”
Her voice was so warm, so hopeful. She had no idea. I closed my eyes, feeling the bitterness of the lie I was about to tell.
“Oh... we’re, um, already out having dinner, actually.” The words felt sharp and cold on my tongue. I almost choked on them, fighting back the nausea creeping up my throat. It felt like a betrayal—not just to myself, but to her too.
There was a pause on the line, then a soft laugh. “Oh! You two are always one step ahead, aren’t you? Well, enjoy it. And tell Jaxon I say hello. We’ll catch up tomorrow.”
Her voice was filled with so much joy, and all I could do was hold onto my composure, my voice barely a whisper. “Will do, Mom. Love you.”