2

A persistent beeping sound tugged at my consciousness, jolting me awake. My lungs burned as I gasped for air, snapping my eyes open to a blurry vision.

Blinking the fog away, I was first greeted by the vivid image of a white ceiling above me, followed by the acrid smell of antiseptic, informing me that I was in my least favorite place–a hospital... where the scent of sickness and drugs hung in the air.

"Zana." Risa's voice tugged the strings of my attention, and I turned my head to see her rising from her chair. "I'm so glad you're awake." Relief hung from her voice as she made it to my bed.

I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my abdomen, encircling my waist and causing a wince to slip out of my lips.

Her warm hand rested on my shoulder, easing me back onto the pillow. "Don't move too much. You need to heal first."

"What happened to me?" I asked. My memory was still foggy, and I could feel a throbbing headache.

"A bathroom accident, but the doctor also said you are still suffering from the extensive scarring and lining of your uterus." Her eyes were warm, reflecting the empathy rooted in her heart.

I looked away, feeling like the weight of the world had been placed upon me. Tears stung my eyelids, and my heart ached when the walls of my chest constricted around it.

I couldn't believe my womb had been damaged forever. How could anyone be so cruel as to deny me the joys of motherhood?

Balls of tears rolled down my cheeks, burning every path they followed.

"Zana, are you okay?" Risa asked in a gentle voice.

"How am I supposed to live with Richard without an heir? How am I supposed to be the Luna? I failed him, and I failed myself and everyone," I ranted; my chest rising and falling as emotions burst inside of me.

Risa pulled me into a comforting hug, hushing me. "Hey, you're not a failure. It isn't your fault that this happened. You're a strong woman, and we will find our way around this."

Her fingers raked through my hair, delivering a sense of calmness to me. I sobbed, letting my tears wet her shirt.

"Richard caught the culprit," she announced, and I broke the hug, feeling a jolt of happiness course through me.

"Who was it?" I asked enthusiastly, happy that I was getting justice.

"Maris. Your personal maid. The substances were found in her bag," Risa explained and lowered herself beside me on the bed.

Parting my lips, a light gasp flew out of them.

"But why?" I asked with a heavy heart, knowing how I treated Maris like a sister.

"She wanted Richard to herself. She has been thrown in the dungeon to perish."

I snapped my mouth shut, pondering on what Risa had just said before a thought crossed my mind. "What about Richard? Has he come to see me?"

I met her gaze, and they softened, holding sheer compassion. "I'm sorry, but no."

My heart sank. Why did it hurt me? I should have known he'd never change and treat me right.

"I have to go now, I need to prepare for my wedding tomorrow," she said, and her pearly whites came into view. "I'm just really sad that you won't be able to make it. The doctor said you have to stay for three days."

Tears pooled in my eyes, and a dull ache settled in my chest; I had disappointed someone again.

I blinked the tears away, refusing to let another person down. "I'll try my best. I'm fine, see?"

I tried to sit up, but pain seared through my stomach, and I whimpered, falling back to the bed.

"You have to stay back until you're better. Do not worry about me. I'll visit you with my husband and a slice of cake after the wedding. I'll get one of my aunts to walk me down the aisle." She offered me a tight-lipped smile. "I'll be on my way now. I'll ask a nurse to check on your stomach. Cheer up."

A smile played on my lips, and a tear rolled down my cheek. Risa swiped it away, saying, "I love you, okay? Get better soon."

I nodded, watching as she walked away from me until she was out of my room.

*****

"I wish I could attend Risa's wedding. She has been so nice to me, and I failed her," I muttered under my breath as I sat up successfully without feeling a sharp pain.

The nurse had administered some injections to me last night and then gave me painkillers this morning. I felt better than yesterday.

"Maybe I can make it to the wedding," I said to myself, swinging my legs to the other side of the bed.

Sliding my feet into my flip-flops, I rose too fast, making my vision turn black. I extended my arm and gripped the high table beside my bed.

Once my sight cleared up, I made it out of my room, heading straight to the exit.

"Excuse me, Luna," a nurse called from behind, but I ignored her. "Luna Zana."

"What?" I turned, eyes blazing with annoyance. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, but where are you going?" The nurse questioned softly.

"I'm leaving."

"But it isn't time for you to leave. You're still -"

I halted her mid-sentence by holding a hand up to her, saying, "I promise, I'm fine."

"But you haven't been discharged, I can't let you leave," she said, standing in my way with an apologetic look in her eyes.

"I order you as your Luna to stand down or else..." I trailed off, glaring at her.

She nodded, stepping aside.

I took hurried steps out of the hospital and boarded a taxi home. Arriving in front of the packhouse, the driver didn't collect a dime from me since I was the Luna. It warmed my heart; it was refreshing to see that some people respected me even if a lot of horrible things were speculated about me.

Approaching the gates, the guards bowed, and I walked past them, feeling pains in my stomach.

"Just a few more steps," I muttered under my breath, gripping my stomach.

Risa needed me.

There were people scattered around the place with beautiful decorations mounted on the walls. My heart fluttered as I imagined how excited she would be to see me.

Reaching the doorway, I swallowed a deep breath before pushing it open. The people at the back turned, and once they sighted me, their eyes widened.

I hummed, wondering why they looked surprised to see me. Did they think I was dead? I shrugged, walking further, I knew my seat in front would be empty. My vision dimmed, but I refused to rest. I was going to make it up to her. I was done being a disappointment.

I caught sight of Risa and her Fiancé. Risa looked like a princess whom the star had come to nest on her head. Her dress flowed down the staircase, and she looked breathtaking.

"You may kiss the bride," the sage said, and they kissed.

The crowd burst into a round of applause, and a few whistles could be heard. My heart fluttered, and excitement burst in my chest.

Just as they broke from the kiss and turned to face the crowd, my heart sank, and my body froze to a spot.

Shivering, I screamed, "Richard!" All heads turned in my direction. Their resentful gazes made my skin crawl, but I didn't care. All I cared about was to know why my husband was getting married to his supposed cousin.

Tears gathered in my eyes, blurring my vision. Had I been fooled for the past five years or was I hallucinating?

My chest heaved as I shuffled my gaze between the both of them. "What-what is going on here?" I demanded in a shaky voice.

I thought Risa was his cousin.