Chapter 2

Lune's fingers were trembling as she scanned the overdue rent notice, the weight of her financial troubles pressing down on her like a leaden blanket. It had been months since she could comfortably pay her bills, and the part-time job at the café was barely enough to keep her afloat. That evening, as the rain poured down in icy sheets, she decided to take a detour after work, wandering through the upscale part of town where the wealth and luxury of the city seemed a world away from her cramped apartment.

She didn’t belong there—she knew that—but the glittering lights of the towering buildings and the allure of wealth were strangely comforting, even if only to look at from a distance.

As fate would have it, Lune’s umbrella flipped inside out as she crossed a street, the wind snatching it from her hands and sending it tumbling down the road. Cursing under her breath, she dashed after it, paying little attention to the sleek black car speeding toward her.

The screech of brakes and the flash of headlights were the last things she remembered before the world froze. She stumbled to a halt, inches from the car's bumper, breathless and wide-eyed. The car door swung open, and a tall figure stepped out.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” A deep, commanding voice cut through the rain, sharp with annoyance.

Lune’s heart raced, both from the near accident and the sheer presence of the man before her. He was striking—dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his eyes cold and piercing beneath the wet strands of dark hair that clung to his forehead.

“I—I'm sorry,” Lune stammered, stepping back. “I didn’t see—”

“Obviously,” he snapped, his eyes scanning her drenched figure, a hint of disdain flickering across his features. “Do you always wander into traffic or just when it’s inconvenient?”

She clenched her fists, the embarrassment mixing with frustration. “I said I’m sorry.”

He studied her for a moment, something unreadable flashing in his eyes before he turned to his car. “Be more careful next time. I don't have time to deal with senseless accidents.”

Before she could respond, he slipped back into the car and slammed the door, but not before she caught a glimpse of his face again—a face that seemed familiar like she had seen it on magazine covers or news articles. Arlo Donovan, the billionaire whose name was synonymous with power and ruthlessness, and whose world was as far from hers as possible.

Lune stood there, soaking wet and shivering, watching the car disappear down the road. She had no idea that this fleeting, infuriating encounter was the beginning of something much larger than either of them could have anticipated

.

Lune pushed open the door to her small apartment, still shaken from the encounter with Arlo. The rain had soaked through her clothes, and she was chilled to the bone. She set her keys on the counter, intending to take a hot shower and forget the stress of the day. As she removed her damp coat, she noticed the faint scent of her mother’s perfume lingering in the air, and her heart sank.

"Mom?" she called, stepping into the living room.

Her parents were sitting on the worn couch, looking too serious for comfort. Her father’s brow was furrowed, and her mother’s hands were clasped tightly in her lap, eyes darting nervously around the room. They hadn’t visited in months, not since things got tough financially, and the sight of them now, unannounced, only deepened the pit in Lune’s stomach.

“What’s going on?” she asked, her voice tentative.

Her mother was the first to speak, her voice strained yet trying to sound calm. “Lune, honey, we need to talk to you about something important.”

Lune crossed her arms, already feeling a storm of emotions building. “What is it? You’re scaring me.”

Her father cleared his throat, his gaze steady but filled with discomfort. “You know things have been difficult for us… financially.”

The familiar pang of worry surfaced. Their financial crisis had been a dark cloud over the family for as long as she could remember. She knew things were bad, but what could they possibly be here to tell her?

“We’ve made a decision,” her mother continued, her voice wavering slightly. “It’s for the best, for all of us.”

Lune’s heart raced. “What decision?”

Her father shifted, and then the words tumbled out: “We’ve arranged for you to marry.”

Lune blinked, stunned into silence. Her mind couldn’t process the words, as though they had been spoken in a language she didn’t understand. “Marry?” she repeated, incredulity rising in her voice. “What are you talking about?”

Her mother reached for her hand, but Lune pulled back. “Listen, darling, it’s not what you think. The man… his family is well off, and they’ve agreed to help with our financial troubles. You won’t have to struggle anymore.”

“I don’t even know this man!” Lune exclaimed, her voice trembling. “You’re marrying me off to some stranger?”

Her father sighed heavily. “It’s not ideal, Lune, but it’s a good match. He’s—”

“No! How could you do this to me? I thought we were past this… these archaic arrangements! I don’t care about his money—this isn’t fair!” Her anger surged, and she paced the small space of her apartment, feeling trapped.

“Lune, please,” her mother pleaded. “You have no idea how hard this has been for us. We wouldn’t ask this of you if we had any other option.”

Her father added, more firmly this time, “You won’t be unhappy. He’s well-established, respected, and can give you a life we never could. This isn’t just about us. It’s for your future too.”

“I won’t do it,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “I won’t marry him.”

Her father’s face hardened. “You don’t have a choice, Lune. The arrangements have already been made. You’ll meet him soon.”

Tears welled in her eyes as the weight of their words sank in. She felt betrayed by the very people she had always trusted to protect her.