The Moon Shadow

The Night that ended it all

Leah’s POV

Five hours ago, I woke up to a divorce paper. No note. No explanation. And since then, he has been avoiding me.

Tonight wasn’t just about our anniversary—because there wouldn’t be any if I didnt tell him that I was pregnant before he climbed the stage.

“Where is he?” I asked Nia, scanning the ballroom.

“Leah… he’s been avoiding you all evening, are you sure everything is alright?"

" Everything is alright." I muttered as I kept walking. I had to find Cassian as soon as possible.

I squeezed through the crowd in my red dress, the dress he used to say made me look like his queen.

Then I saw Cassian.

Standing near the stage, talking to his mother-Vivienne. He looked my way—and then he turned his face immediately.

“Cassian,” I called out his name.

He didn’t turn.

Instead, he walked up to the stage.

He took the mic from the announcer abruptly.

“I appreciate everyone here tonight,” he began. “Your presence means the world to me.” Then he paused.

“This evening is not about my anniversary. Rather I want to use this medium to correct a mistake."

The room went silent.

He looked straight at me.

And I swear, I stopped breathing.

Please God… don’t let this be what I think it is. Not here. Not now.

“Two years ago, I married someone not out of love… but out of obligation.”

“And tonight, I want to correct that mistake.”

My heart skipped.

“My marriage to Leah Quinn ends tonight.”

And just like that my world shattered.

The tears slipped down my cheeks, everywhere felt as if it was rotating. I sighted Vivienne— in the front row, sipping champagne with a wide smile, like she was watching the coronation of her son.

And then, like a cruel joke from the universe—she appeared.

Talia Quinn.

My cousin.

The one everyone wanted for him.

She walked toward the stage with the grace of someone who knew she belonged with him.

Cassian didn’t stop her as she slid her arm around him.

“I believe it’s official now,” she said sweetly. “Cassian and I were always a perfect match.”

And then—

He kissed her.

Long and slow.

Right in front of me.

Cameras all around me, taking pictures.

I took a shaky step back.

I could feel all eyes on me.

People weren’t even whispering anymore.

They were staring.

At me .

At the girl who didn’t belong here.

“Leah,” Nia—whispered beside me, grabbing my hand. “Just breath”

But I couldn’t.

I needed to get out. I needed air. Space. Silence.

I turned and ran.

Out of the hall, down the stairs, to the driveway.

I reached my car. I could hear Nia’s voice behind me.

“Leah, wait!”

I ignored her.

My fingers fumbled with the key. I got in, slammed it shut, and started the engine.

“Leah, don’t drive! Please just—”

Her voice faded as I drove off.

I didn’t know where I was going.

I just drove.

The tears came fast, hot and unstoppable.

I held the wheel, blinking furiously. But no matter how far I drove, his words kept playing in my head over and over again

“My marriage to Leah Quinn ends tonight.”

I screamed.

I screamed so loud my voice cracked.

The rain started falling hard. The wipers couldn’t keep up.

They had to be a reason, he couldn't just end our marriage of two years just like that. No matter what anyone said I knew he loved me.

I could barely see anything, as I grabbed my phone to call him.

And then—

Headlights.

A truck.

Coming too fast.

Too close.

My hands tightened on the wheel. I swerved hard—

“Ahhh!” I screamed. As I hit the brake. Tires screeched. Then—

CRASH.

I hit a tree.

Then—I lost consciousness

---

Everything hurts.

Was I dead?

No… I heard a voice.

“Stay with me. Don’t close your eyes.”

I blinked, barely able to open them.

I could see a face.

“Cassian…?” I mumbled.

He shook his head. “No. I’m Aiden.”

Cassian’s older brother. The one who disappeared from the media years ago.

He looked so much like him, just a bit older.

“Where—what’s happening?” I whispered.

“You hit a tree,” he said. “But you’re alive. That’s what matters.”

I tried to sit up, but pain in my back made me think otherwise. My hands flew to my stomach.

“The baby—”

“Still safe,” Aiden said. “You both are.”

Tears blurred my eyes. I didn’t know if they were from relief or something else.

“Where’s Cassian…?”

“He’s not coming,” he said quietly.

I shook my head. “No. He doesn’t know I was in an accident. If he knew—”

“I called him.”

That stopped me.

“What?”

“I called him,” he repeated, more firmly this time. “Told him you were hurt… that you could’ve died.”

“And?” My voice cracked.

Aiden looked at me—then away. “He said you’re as good as dead to him. He doesn't care about you.”

“I just need to talk to him. Just once. I deserve that, don’t I?”

“No!” Aiden said, his voice harsher. “You don’t need him in your life . Not after what he did. Not after tonight.”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a phone, speaking into it.

“Prep the jet. She is awake, we will be leaving soon. Yes. Just me and her.”

I stared at him, stunned. “What are you doing?”

“Saving what’s left of you,” he said. “Let them believe you died tonight. Let him live with what he’s done.”

My lips parted, but the strength to argue was gone. My vision blurred again

I lost consciousness with only one thought in my head.

Revenge.