Chapter 4 Apologize to Chloe

"You're coming with me. Right now. You're going to apologize to Chloe."

"I won't!" Luna struggled violently, tears of defiance welling in her eyes. "I did nothing wrong! Why should I apologize? She provoked me first. If she can't handle the truth, that's her problem—not mine!"

This was the first time in five years she'd dared to fight back so fiercely.

All the grievances buried deep inside her finally erupted.

Marcus's face darkened with fury. Ignoring her protests, he dragged her forcibly toward the door.

In the end, she was hauled to the hospital against her will.

They'd barely reached the end of the corridor when a group of people charged toward them. At the front was Chloe's mother, Ruby Morris.

Ruby's eyes locked on Luna immediately. They were bloodshot, wild with rage. "You're the bitch who drove my daughter to this! I'll kill you myself!"

Before Luna could react, Ruby's hand shot up, aiming straight for her face.

Marcus instinctively moved to block it. No matter how angry he was, no matter what Luna had done, he couldn't let anyone strike her like that.

But then—

"The patient's awake! She's awake!" a nurse called from inside the room.

Marcus froze. His attention snapped toward the hospital room. Just for a second. Just one second of distraction.

Slap.

The sound echoed sharply through the quiet corridor. Ruby's palm landed squarely across Luna's cheek, the force snapping her head to the side. A vivid handprint bloomed instantly on her skin.

The pain was searing. Luna's body went rigid, her ears ringing.

Marcus jolted back to reality. He yanked Luna behind him, shielding her with his body. His gaze turned glacial as it swept over Chloe's family.

"I brought her here to resolve this. Not so you could take out your anger on her."

His presence was overwhelming. Chloe's relatives shrank back instinctively, cowed by his authority. No one dared approach.

Even Ruby faltered, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly.

Marcus didn't spare them another glance. He bent down, scooped Luna into his arms, and turned on his heel, striding out of the hospital.

Luna didn't want to be carried. But she lacked the strength to resist. She could only let him do as he pleased.

He carried her to the car. The drive was silent, the air inside suffocatingly heavy.

The car pulled up at a luxury hotel nearby.

Marcus booked a room, carried her inside, and set her down on the bed. His voice was low and firm. "Rest here tonight. We'll deal with Chloe tomorrow."

Luna watched as he turned and disappeared into the bathroom. She sat there, dazed.

The man who'd demanded she apologize to Chloe was the same man who'd brought her here. What was he trying to do?

She couldn't make sense of it. She didn't even notice when he came out of the bathroom.

Marcus glanced at Luna curled up in the corner of the bed. His brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing. He walked to the other side of the bed and lay down.

The mattress dipped under his weight. Then—silence.

The room was so quiet she could hear their breathing. It was eerie. Uncomfortable.

Luna's brow knitted.

No explanation? He'd dragged her here without a word. And now he was sharing a bed with her—the wife he'd already kicked to the curb?

What did he think she was?

She turned to face him, meeting his slightly startled gaze. Her voice was cold. "Mr. Graham, does Ms. Morris know about this?"

Marcus raised an eyebrow. The woman who used to be so docile around him had grown thorns. How... refreshing.

He spoke slowly. "We've shared a bed before. Are you worried someone will find out?"

His tone was matter-of-fact, as if this were nothing. But Luna couldn't accept it.

She let out a bitter laugh. "I have nothing to worry about. You're the one who should be concerned. If Ms. Morris found out about this, who knows what she'd think."

"She won't know unless you tell her." Marcus's brow furrowed deeper at her continued mockery.

"And why wouldn't I tell her? In fact, I think I will. She's so fragile—if she hears about this and can't handle it, maybe she'll try to kill herself again—"

"Luna!" Marcus's face turned thunderous, his entire body radiating a terrifying chill. "That's enough. If anything happens to Chloe—anything at all—I will never forgive you."

His icy words cut through her like knives, slicing straight into her heart. The pain was visceral, tearing through her chest.

She'd known he would protect Chloe. But seeing the brutal reality laid bare in front of her—it still hurt. It still stole the breath from her lungs.

She truly didn't understand.

"If you love her so much, why are you wasting time here with me? Unless..." Luna's voice was sharp with sarcasm. "Unless you still have feelings for me?"

Even as she said it, she felt ridiculous. And yet—God help her—a tiny, pathetic part of her hoped it might be true.

Marcus's expression darkened further. His gaze was stormy, oppressive, like the calm before a hurricane. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet.

Luna's exposed skin prickled with goosebumps. Fear clawed at her chest. She knew she shouldn't provoke him. But she couldn't stop herself.

"Mr. Graham, either you leave, or you let me go. Otherwise, I'll call Ms. Morris right now and tell her you can't get over me."

She pulled out her phone. Before she could unlock it, a large hand snatched it away roughly.

The phone hit the floor with a loud crack. Marcus's eyes were dark and stormy, swirling with unreadable emotions.

"Can't get over you?" He repeated her words slowly, his gaze sliding from the crescent moon pendant at her throat up to her face.

A cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. "Don't flatter yourself."

With that, he got up, threw on his clothes, and stormed out without a backward glance.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Luna stared at the closed door, those four cutting words still echoing in her ears.

Don't flatter yourself.

Her chest tightened painfully.

She bit down hard on her lip, forcing herself to stay calm. It's nothing. It doesn't matter.

She wouldn't let herself cry over him anymore. He wasn't worth it.

Never again.