Chapter 7 Apologizing to Auntie
Ava watched the scene, fury boiling over. She shot Emma a vicious glare and cursed her inwardly.
Luna snickered in secret, eyes sparkling with malicious delight.
Theodore shot her a warning glance — telling her to tone it down.
Ava forced down her anger and turned stiffly to John.
“Dad… why did you hit Noah?”
John glared at her coldly.
“Why? Did I hit the wrong one?” he replied icily.
Ava felt uneasy beneath John’s gaze, her resolve weakening instantly.
“Noah, what did you do to make your Auntie Ava so angry?” she asked, trying to regain her composure.
Noah met John’s eyes, lips pressed tightly together.
He didn’t feel he’d done anything wrong.
Ava stared at him in silence, chest rising and falling with fury.
“Tell me! Is this your doing?” she shouted, eyes blazing as she glared at Emma.
Emma’s eyes were already red and swollen. Ava’s glare made her stumble back another step; her whole body trembled.
Noah quickly moved in front of her, shielding her.
“Mom, this has nothing to do with Emma. Stop picking on her,” he said, brows furrowed.
A hot wave of blood surged to Ava’s head; she nearly fainted from rage.
So in his eyes, I’m just a bully?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became — and the more she despised Emma.
“Ava,” Luna said softly, stepping forward with a faint, knowing smile. “Let me explain. Don’t pressure Miss Wilson — you’re only hurting Noah.”
Emma turned toward Luna — and instantly realized Luna was deliberately widening the rift between her and Ava.
Ava flushed crimson. Her eyes blazed as she glared at Emma.
“Exactly,” Luna continued, eyes gleaming. “I hit Miss Wilson, and Noah nearly beat me up to avenge her.”
Ava’s brows knitted tightly; doubt flickered in her eyes.
“Miss Wilson kept apologizing, saying she wouldn’t feel at ease unless I hit her. So I did. And Noah accused me of bullying his woman. Was I wrong, Ava?” Luna asked sweetly, smiling like a fox.
Ava’s frown deepened as she turned to Emma.
“Did you really beg Luna to hit you?” she asked coldly.
Emma kept her head bowed, teeth grazing her lower lip.
Ava immediately saw through it —
She set this up to drive a wedge between Noah and Luna.
“You did the right thing,” Ava said through clenched teeth.
Luna felt a spark of satisfaction.
Ava turned her fury on Noah.
“You saw it with your own eyes — Emma begged Luna to hit her. And you still rushed in too late and made everything worse—”
Noah’s face twisted with frustration.
He truly hadn’t expected Luna to actually hit Emma.
Everything had happened too fast for him to react.
“Go apologize to your aunt. Right now,” Ava snapped.
Apologize to Luna?
Absolutely not.
His expression darkened; his lips pressed tight.
Ava’s glare sharpened; her eyes widened threateningly.
John gave Noah one disappointed look, then stood and headed upstairs.
Mary quickly followed him.
One by one, everyone left, until only Noah and Emma remained.
When the others were gone, Noah finally spoke to her, voice softening.
“Your hand… it’s hurt,” he said worriedly.
“Someone bring the first-aid kit!” he ordered sharply.
The butler hurried off and returned quickly with the kit.
“Does it still hurt?” Noah asked with forced gentleness.
“No,” Emma whispered with a soft smile.
Holding her face in his hands, he checked the faint handprint, making sure it wasn’t too bad.
“Why are you so foolish?” he muttered, frowning.
“I needed it… to feel at peace. With this, we’re even. I don’t have to feel guilty anymore,” she said softly.
“Baby, none of this is your fault. Luna and I only married for business. I never loved her.”
“I know. Let’s just… let it go,” Emma replied with a gentle nod.
⸻
Luna returned to her room, her eyes landing on Theodore.
Should I thank him? He did save me from Noah’s swing… but last night… ugh. Forget it — call it even.
“Next time, don’t confront Noah alone,” Theodore warned, brows drawn.
“Why would I? I’m not afraid of him,” Luna said, chin lifting proudly.
He watched her stubborn expression, amused and exasperated.
“Yes, yes… my queen fears no one,” he teased.
“No one.”
“Really?”
⸻
Before she had time to blink, he swept her backward onto the bed, caging her with the sheer force of his presence.
She tried to rise, but his hands were already at his belt — not threatening, but deliberate, a reminder of last night’s impossible heat. Her pulse stumbled; memory and anticipation collided.
His touch skimmed up her thigh, slow enough to make her breath hitch.
“Next time,” he murmured, voice low with warning and concern, “don’t confront Noah alone. Understand?”
“You—” Her breath faltered.
“Answer me,” he pressed, his knuckles brushing the sensitive line of her hip, intimate enough to silence her defiance without crossing into demand.
“…Yes. Got it,” she whispered, heat and confusion tangling in her chest.
A slow smile curved his lips. “Good.”
⸻
“You—!” Luna grit her teeth, flustered and furious, and shoved him off before turning away sharply.
Sitting on the sofa, she pulled out her phone and began tapping furiously at the screen.
“What’s wrong? Angry?” Theodore asked, smiling as he followed her.
She ignored him, fingers swiping aggressively.
“Why waste it on me? Save some fire for Noah,” he murmured.
“Who says I’m not angry? Give me a chance and I’ll smash his skull in!” she snapped.
Theodore raised an eyebrow, then turned and walked into the study.
Luna blinked. What is he doing now?
Moments later, Theodore emerged holding a small hammer.
“Here,” he said, holding it out.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to smash Noah’s head?
Here — have at it,” he added dryly.
Luna’s chest heaved with rage.
“Are you giving me the hammer so I can go die?” she asked through clenched teeth.
“No need to murder him. Just smash Noah’s door to pieces. Pressure him a bit. Vent your frustration. What do you think?” Theodore said with a playful smirk.
“And if he fights me?” Luna demanded.
“He won’t. I’ll be right there,” Theodore replied coolly.
