Rejected Luna, Love Me Again

d tarmac of Ambrose City's airport, she let herself hope-ju

er phone buzzed relentlessly with birthday wishes-pack members, dis

y Win

rs Pack. Her husba

did she still expect anything different from Wesley? Ev

strangers who felt no destined bond. But their families had been delighted; it was the most advantageous allia

cut her business trip short, haul her designer luggage

ed we'd celebrate your birthday together this year!

ne beautiful thing to com

begun in disgrace, their daughter

ter all these years. For Willa, she could endure one more civil conversation. For

ll con

female voice ans

lood turn

ce alone was enough to make her claws extend

of the woman who'd shattered

ing, then Delilah's dramatic claim of being Wesley's fat

that very night, but the damage was done - Wesley now had p

l villain, she th

sister crooned, saccha

his bitch had returned; it was obvious her so-called husband was

r daughter's wish, to provide t

erate pause that was meant to mock Riana. "W

he knew that. Though theirs was a political match, he had, until now, tacitly respected certain boundaries. It was

impered, "Seven years watching my mate shackled to a woman he d

was entirely different from suspicion. Fury, hot and va

uses wrinkles~ No amount of spa visits will fix that t

o mock her age? Riana's grip shattered her phone screen, glass biting into

the broken device, whispering to herself.

cant eyes staring at the ceiling, the ceremonial dagger still clutched

hispered insult, every public slight, every time Father broug

ot cry over a pathetic man and a worthless reason. So Wesley had forgotten his pr

pair, the contempt in Wesley's eyes after their one-night stand, Delilah's triumphant smile shattering their weddi

ration would show Wesley her sincerity, that he would want to build a warm family haven for W

ompliance make him

elieved, he was in

her usual pride was restored, a mask of cool composure firmly i

ld her daughter in her arms, to breathe in her famil

s she stepped inside, the silence press

oors, amplifying the hollow ache in her chest. Disappointment

't realized-not even her ow

lanning a

her lips in

discarded at the entrance. Barefoot, she padded through t

familiar

ekeeper who'd been taking care of her for years, stoo

a smile. "W

sleep." Then, softer:

l smile. Well, at least som

la's door. Still awake? Riana's pulse jumped. May

d the do

oulders, fingers deftly threading beads onto a delicate string

me. What els

, swee

gray eyes-then scowled. "Mom! You can't

a fr

ome. Around her c

y grown s

room smelled of crayons and bubblegum, fairy lights twinkling like stolen sta

d beads. Riana knelt, fingers brus

bead, her face alight with devotion. "It's for Aunt De

ke a silver blade.

irthday.

band. By h

d bled for, endured a

ild lavish love on the woman who'd never soothed her nightm

pricked at

o quiet, too raw. "Do you