CHAPTER TWO

Her hands trembled as she turned the doorknob and saw that it was unlocked.

She didn't want them to know she was there.

With a gentle push, she created a tiny gap in the door, allowing herself to glance inside the room undetected. But how could she be detected when they were so engrossed in each other?

The sight of their entwined bodies was a dagger to her heart, a painful betrayal that left her gasping for breath.

She moved back swiftly, shock and horror evident in her eyes as she struggled to process the devastating scene. The image of them seared itself in her brain, one that she would never forget.

She saw the woman's leg wrapped around her husband's waist, their bodies moving in a slow sensual dance that made her blood run cold.

A storm of emotions raged within her–jealousy, anger, betrayal and sorrow. She marched over to the door and was about to barge in when the woman spoke up again.

“George…I wanted to talk to you. It's about Luna”. She froze, her eyes narrowing and her lips curled up in disgust as she heard the woman say her name.

“What about her?” He rolled his eyes, his voice sounded gruff.

“Let's not ruin this moment by reminding me that I'm married to her,” he said leaning in for a kiss.

Luna's eyes welled up with tears as she felt the sting of George's words, her face crumpling in pain.

“Well, that's why you need to divorce her as soon as possible. You've gotten what you wanted from her so why deal with her any longer?” she spat out.

Luna felt numb like her emotions had been frozen. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, she just stood there with her eyes wide open and her mouth slightly parted.

Divorce? Was George going to divorce her? Her mind reeled with questions as she felt the hot tears roll down her cheek.

“I suppose you're right. I got her to sign over most of my father's assets to me, so it seems I'm finally free from her. I'll contact my lawyer as soon as possible, but for now–” he said, locking eyes with her and leaning in for a kiss– “let’s enjoy this moment”. They shared a low, snickering laugh as George deepened the kiss and they gave themselves over to the night.

Luna took a step back, her eyes flashing with a mix of sadness and betrayal. She struggled to process the callous words she'd just heard. A searing pain burned within her and it felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest.

She took in a long, shaky breath then she exhaled. Squaring her shoulders, she dragged her feet away from the room, her head hung low in shame.

There she was years ago, daydreaming of a perfect marriage with George by her side. Instead, she got a marriage in which she was alone. The memories of his infidelity still lingered, a reminder of a dream that never came to be.

“Where are you heading to at this odd hour Mrs. Luna?” Maria asked with concern laced in her voice.

“I'll be back soon, I just need to get something at the grocery store before they close for the night,” she replied sheepishly as she descended the stairs, her eyes looking dull.

Maria raised her brows in confusion, “But I can get it for you, just tell me what you need and I'll….” Luna cut in.

“No, no, it's okay I'll go get it myself. I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep, please go back to bed.”She beckoned, forcing up a warm smile.

Maria nodded slowly before she retreated to her quarters.

A small sigh came out of Luna as she quickly made her way to the gate. Telling the security the same story she told Maria, she set out to the main road after they'd opened the small gate.

She didn't have the faintest clue where she was going but she just needed some air. The cool breeze of the night did nothing to calm the turmoil inside her. As she trudged along the road, the events of earlier played out in her head.

The woman's hand wrapped around George, their whispered words of freedom, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Bile rose to her throat as a wave of nausea washed over her.

She saw George with another woman, and that too on the night of their first wedding anniversary! George had never laid with her, he'd never even made an attempt.

Now she understood why he acted strangely after they got married. He only wanted access to the inheritance his father left her. But she couldn't help but wonder if anything he'd ever said or done, even before she got the inheritance, was true.

The thought of him wanting to divorce her, of him never truly loving her, was a weight crushing her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Her legs trembled beneath her as if they might give out at any moment, but she still walked, driven by a numb need to escape the shattered remains of her marriage.

Luna's aimless walking led her to a small bar, its dimly lit entrance seemed to call out to the lost and lonely. The sign creaked in the gentle breeze, reading ‘The Black Keep’ in bold letters.

She raised a brow, how had she never seen this place before? With a small shrug, she walked over to the bar and entered.

––––

“More tequila please!” She yelled over the counter. The bartender gave her a quizzical look before pouring a shot of tequila into a small glass.

He was about to give it to her when his concerns got the better of him.

“Ma'am, are you sure you can handle this? It's your third shot of the night.”

She asked, “I'm paying for this drink, am I not?” He nodded in affirmation.

“Good, now hand it over, don't tell me how to live my life.” The bartender shook his head in disappointment as he handed the shot glass to her. As soon as she took it, she downed it all in one gulp, the sourness burning her throat.

She was about to ask for another glass when someone held her hand, stopping her.

Her head jerked up, her eyes burning with anger, but as they met the eyes of the person standing before her, her fury turned into stunned silence.