At Apple Villa on the east side of the city, which Golden Light Corporation was using as a temporary office, a group of young professionals gathered in the spacious living room, immersed in a lively discussion.Luna stood on the staircase on the second floor, clapping her hands to grab everyone’s attention. She held up a document, a playful smile on her face. “Alright, everyone, I’ve got some good news. Lincoln Corporation just delivered the cooperation agreement. That means this project is officially ours! We’ve successfully taken the first step!”“Clap, clap—”“Wow…”“Yes!”The room burst into applause and cheers.“Boss, now that we’ve secured the project, are you treating us tonight?”“That’s right, Emily! You said if we landed this project, we could party anywhere in the city! I remember it clearly!”“Emily, we’re not asking for much. Just a meal at ‘Reunion Heights Hotel’ would do!”“Come on, Linda! ‘Reunion Heights Hotel’ is a three-star hotel. But if Emily is offering,
Luna entered City Center Tower with a stack of documents in hand. A receptionist greeted her with a polite smile. “Good morning, miss. Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?”Luna returned the smile, holding up the files. “I’m here to see Mr. Lincoln. I’m the project manager from Golden Light Corporation, and I’ve already arranged a meeting with his assistant.”The receptionist’s expression shifted slightly, her smile growing tight as she gave Luna a quick once-over. “Very well. Please, go on up.”Just as the elevator doors closed, Luna caught a disdainful murmur from the receptionist, “Another one putting on a show. Just wait, Mr. Lincoln will teach you the true meaning of ‘pain’ soon enough.”Luna chuckled softly to herself. “‘Show me the meaning of pain?’” she thought. “Too bad. This time, there’s only one way this ends. He’s done for.”On the 28th floor, Mr. Lincoln’s assistant visibly relaxed as soon as he saw her, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulde
One week passed. Then two.Time slipped by like water, and before she knew it, two months had gone by.At some point, she and Felix had developed an effortless connection. They were like dry tinder and fire. Whenever they were together, sparks flew instantly.Yet, their relationship was confined to the bedroom. No matter what she asked of him afterward, he always responded with a single word, “Yes.”So tender, so affectionate, it was almost as if she had become his treasure once again.Unexpectedly, a softness grew in her heart.Glancing down at the documents in her hands, Luna shook her head and patted her cheeks, taking a deep breath. “Remember why you came back,” she reminded herself.Outside, she heard the rumble of an engine. Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, a smile tugged at her lips. “He’s back.”For a brief moment, Felix’s gaze flickered with something like surprise. She looked just like a wife welcoming her husband home.She stepped forward, taking the keys fr
Outside, the scenery rushed by in a blur as Luna curled up in the passenger seat, resting her eyes. Every moment with Felix kept her on edge, as if she were always just one step away from slipping back into old habits. Their recent intense encounter had drained her completely.She opened her eyes and took in the man behind the wheel. Felix was as handsome as ever, but his gaze was impossible to read, like a fog that hid his true thoughts. It was almost laughable. Once, she had thought that was just who he was. Now, she saw things differently.Here he was, completely vulnerable with someone he had known for barely two months. How naive she had been back then. To him, she had probably been nothing more than a sideshow.She turned to the window, a wry smile playing on her lips.The car made a graceful turn and stopped in front of a house. Felix, ever the gentleman, opened her door and motioned for her to step out. His dark eyes were as unreadable as ever. “Come on.”Snapping out of h
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Luna looked at the marks all over her body and suddenly laughed. But as she laughed, tears began streaming down her face.She had once despised women who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Now, she had become one of them. She had promised herself she wouldn’t soften, but here she was, unable to stop the tears.Her father was gone. Orion too. And the woman she used to be was gone along with them.There was no turning back now. All of this was the debt he owed.Burying her head into her folded arms, she hugged herself tightly, as if it was the only way to summon the strength to keep going.When Luna finally stepped out of the bathroom, a steaming bowl of pasta was already waiting on the dining table. She sat down across from him with a smile. “Wow, Felix, I didn’t know you could cook!”Felix seemed momentarily surprised. Her tone and expression were exactly like the woman he remembered. A flicker of something passed through his e
Felix’s voice wavered as he spoke, his fingers beginning to tremble. After a long pause, he took another drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke fill the room and mask the hint of moisture that flickered briefly in his eyes.Scenes from the past flooded his mind like snapshots from an old movie. He could still see Luna beneath him, screaming, “Felix, Orion is your son.” He could see her standing by the table, glaring at him with mockery in her eyes, saying, “What’s the matter? Have you really fallen for your enemy’s daughter? Or are you just too attached to our twisted love-hate dynamic to go through with a divorce?”And then, there was the memory of her with blood-streaked hands, clutching her face as she sobbed, “There’s no happy ending for someone who’s lost their mind. I must have been under your spell to end up this crazy.” And there was Luna in handcuffs, her tear-streaked face pleading with him, “Just let me die in prison. There’s no point in living anymore. I’d be be
“Tonight at eight, the Century Glimmer Hotel, private dining room 1888. I’ve got a surprise for you. Don’t be late!”After sending the text, Luna tossed her phone aside and tilted her head, examining her reflection in the mirror. A small smile crept onto her lips.One last time. After tonight, everything would end.She picked up a makeup brush, and in moments, the face in the mirror looked hauntingly familiar.In the suite, Felix swirled a glass of red wine, a flash of irritation crossing his face. He tugged at his tie. Why had he even come? He had a dinner event, but as soon as he saw her message, he had canceled it without a second thought.He set down his glass and stood, ready to leave. Just then, the door swung open. A woman in a white dress stood in the doorway.His eyes narrowed, his heart seeming to stop as he looked at her. “Luna?”The wine glass shattered on the floor, red wine pooling around his feet, as if his own blood had spilled. His mind went blank. All he
As soon as the door opened, Felix lifted Luna and pressed her against it. His strong hands roamed over her body, igniting fires with every touch. Luna’s breath caught as she wrapped her lips around his, whispering, “Felix, Felix…”He answered her with even fiercer kisses, his lips pressing hungrily against hers, his tongue invading and scattering her thoughts.In that moment, he was all she saw!Maybe this would be their last night together. For now, she just wanted to lose herself in the feeling, just to be a woman.Her fingers tangled in his hair, and she tilted her head back, letting out a string of soft, seductive moans, each one louder than the last. His heavy breathing filled her ears as he tore her dress apart.“Felix…”She whispered his name, but he silenced her with deeper kisses, their tastes blending until they were completely lost in each other.They stumbled together and fell onto the bed.“Ah, Felix, slow down. Slower…”The room filled with her soft moans and p
Felix stood in the middle of the bustling airport terminal, watching as people hurried by with their luggage, each one with someplace to be. The whole world felt like it was spinning, endlessly, leaving him disoriented. A chill ran down his spine, even though he felt like he was burning up inside. He wanted to move, to chase after them, but his feet felt rooted to the spot, lost.Then, just at the edge of his vision, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure holding a little girl’s hand, slipping through the security checkpoint.“Luna! Lily!” he shouted, sprinting towards them.A security guard in uniform stepped in front of him, saying politely, “Sir, I’m going to need to see your boarding pass and ID.”“Move!” Felix snarled, swatting the man’s arm aside as he tried to push his way through.Two more guards quickly blocked his path, their expressions firm. “I’m sorry, sir, but by regulation, we need to see your boarding pass,” one of them said, resolute.Felix pointed toward the
Felix watched, dazed, as Luna and Lily’s figures grew smaller in the distance. He heard footsteps behind him and turned, holding out his hands with a cold, steely expression. “Let’s go.”The guard hesitated as he brought out the handcuffs. Just as he was about to lock them around Felix’s wrists, he asked casually, “Mr. Lincoln, that woman who came to visit you, she’s the new CEO of Lincoln Corporation, right? I heard she’s planning to leave the country with her kids. Was this visit just to hand over the reins? Will you be resuming your role as CEO once you’re out?”What? Luna’s leaving with the kids?Felix’s head snapped up, his jaw tightening, and a vein throbbed on his forehead. Grabbing the guard by the collar, he demanded, “Where did you hear that?”The guard trembled, visibly shaken. He had expected this kind of reaction. Felix’s icy stare and whole demeanor practically screamed stay away. All he wanted was to turn around and make a run for it.But he couldn’t. Fate had pic
Seeing the sincerity in Felix’s eyes made Luna’s heart tighten. She pressed her lips together and nodded firmly.A weight seemed to lift from Felix’s chest. He reached out, covering Lily’s eyes with his hand as he leaned in, his lips brushing against Luna’s. That familiar blend of tobacco and cologne filled her senses, and her eyes stung with tears.She pressed a hand to her nose, her voice soft. “Felix, come back soon. Let’s leave the past behind us. After this, it’ll be you, me, and the kids together, as a family. Okay?”Felix’s expression faltered.Lily wrapped her little arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, “Daddy, I don’t care if it’s tough. I just want to be with you.”In the stroller, James stretched out his tiny hands, laughing. Felix reached for him, but his hands slipped through the air. James began to fuss, his cries growing louder, and Felix jolted awake, realizing it had only been a dream.Now here was Luna, offering a future together: “Let’s put everything
Lily leaned against the car window. Her face was full of excitement as she watched the scenery zip by. But as the landscape grew more and more desolate, she grew bored. Grabbing her doll, she hugged it close and turned to Luna. “Mom, where are we going?”Luna glanced over, noticing Lily's rosy cheeks and big, inquisitive eyes that reminded her so much of Felix. “We’re going to see your dad,” she replied with a smile, though her fingers tightened around the strap of her purse.Lily stopped fiddling with her doll, her brow furrowing as she thought for a moment. “But, Mom, didn’t you say Dad was far away? And that James and I had to grow up first?”Luna’s mind drifted back to when they’d first left for another country. Lily had asked, “When will I see Dad again?” Luna had stroked Lily’s hair, finally saying, “Dad’s far away. When you and James grow up, you’ll see him.”“Mom!” Lily tugged on Luna’s shoulder, jolting her back to the present. Luna smiled softly, reassuring her, “Aren’t
In the brightly lit private dining room 1608 at the Century Glimmer Hotel, Luna took a deep breath, then raised her glass with a smile as she addressed the man at the head of the table. “Commissioner Griffin, a toast to you!”She downed her glass in one go. Deputy Commissioner of Corrections Mark Griffin raised his own, chuckling. “Miss Emily, we’re not strangers. If you’ve got something on your mind, just say it. I’ll help if I can.”The implication was clear. If he couldn’t do it, she shouldn’t bother asking. Silently cursing him as an “old fox,” Luna kept her smile as she continued, “It’s really not a big deal. Just a small favor, something that should be easy enough for someone like you.”Seeing his expectant look, she went on, “Here’s the thing. I have a friend in prison, but it wasn’t really his fault. If I wanted to get him out, what would I need to do?”She slid an envelope across the table. Commissioner Griffin’s eyes flickered as he glanced at it, swirling his glass with
“Is Boss crying?” Mr. Zimmer thought to himself.He was stunned. To him, Luna had always been the symbol of strength, resilient and unbreakable. Yet, here she was, tears streaming down her face. “Boss, I didn’t mean it. Maybe it’s not true. Yeah, it could all just be a trick!” he stammered. Seeing Luna’s tear-streaked face, Mr. Zimmer was completely at a loss as sweat beaded along his forehead. What was Felix up to? How could someone as tough as her end up breaking down over just one comment from Mr. Zimmer?Wiping the sweat from his brows, he thought, “If the others find out I made Boss cry, they’ll tear me apart.”“It’s not fake. I know why he did it…” Luna’s voice faded as she broke down. Her uncontrollable sobs were tangled with a mix of regret, anger, and frustration.Mr. Zimmer stood there, helpless, pacing back and forth until her sobs finally started to subside. Luna wiped her nose, her voice raw and broken. “He never believed I was dead. He knew I wouldn’t just dis
Knock, knock—At the sound of the door, Luna pressed her fingers to her temples, her pen still moving over the documents in front of her. Mr. Zimmer quickly stepped forward, placing an express package on her desk. “Boss, you’ve got an urgent delivery.”As soon as Luna opened it, her eyes fell on three bold words at the top: *Equity Transfer Agreement.* She quickly pulled out the document, her gaze fixing on the signature at the bottom.Felix Lincoln.That familiar signature, once so strong and powerful, now felt heavy and confining to her. It was almost as if it was pinning her down, immobilizing her like nails in a chair.She glanced down, and the date stopped her cold. It was from a year ago.The document clearly stated that Felix had voluntarily transferred 90% of his shares in the company to her.Mr. Zimmer noticed his boss’s face go pale and hesitantly asked, “Boss, what is it?”Taking a deep breath, Luna replied in a strained voice, “It’s the equity transfer agreement f
Deep inside, a voice kept screaming, “Luna, it's over. Just leave. End it all here and now.” But somehow, her legs felt as if they were weighed down with lead, refusing to move even a single step.“Luna, you know what I’m talking about.”Felix looked at her, his expression softening as a thought crossed his mind. His eyes took on a pleading tone. “Can you please promise me one thing?”Luna glanced at him, almost amused. The powerful Felix, begging?He reached out as if to touch her, then pulled back, letting his hand drop to his side. His voice was low and steady. “Luna, I know I put you through hell, made you serve time. I owe you for that, and I’m paying for it. But when I’m in there, don’t marry anyone else. Don’t let our kids call another man ‘Dad.’ Just wait for me until I come back.”A sharp pang hit her, like acid rising from her stomach to her throat, bringing tears dangerously close. She felt both anger and bitter amusement.They weren’t even together anymore. How coul
In the courtroom, the judge struck the gavel solemnly. “This is session number 101 at Carson City Intermediate Court, Room 3. Both sides may begin their arguments.”The moment Felix entered the courtroom, he realized just how much he had missed her. His gaze locked onto Luna, as though he wanted to etch every detail of her face into his memory.Sensing his stare, Luna’s brow furrowed slightly before she cast her eyes down, listening quietly to her lawyer’s impassioned statement.Bang—The gavel fell once again.“Defendant, answer the prosecutor’s question!”Felix hadn’t listened to anything being said. It was irrelevant. His eyes stayed on Luna as he spoke, his tone calm. “I plead guilty. I admit to betraying the company and to all charges brought against me. I deserve this.”A wave of shock swept through the room. Faces registered the same emotions: surprise, disbelief, and confusion.This was what he had promised, wasn’t it?But as Felix confessed, Luna felt as if she had be