Lunara was listening to the nail parlour staff explain the package when Eryx’s na suddenly appeared on the screen of her phone. Instantly, she glanced out through the glass wall, and saw Eryx gesturing for her to answer the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey," Eryx’s voice ca through, sounding a little more urgent than usual. "I really need to head back to the office. My secretary’s already arrived and will be accompanying you until I get back."
Lunara blinked, confused. "Your secretary?"
"You haven’t t her before," he said. "Her na is Grace and she doesn’t talk much."
Just then, the door opened with a quiet chi. A woman walked in with a confident, asured pace. Hair in a tight bun, sharp black coat, minimal makeup. She gave a small nod toward Lunara.
"You must be Mrs. Lunara," Grace said politely, her voice calm. "I’ll be right over there if you need anything." She took a seat near the wall, already pulling out a tablet and stylus.
Lunara lowered the phone and muttered, "She’s very... you."
On the other end, Eryx imdiately replied, "Nope. I smile. Sotis."
Lunara smiled to herself. "Sure."
"Behave," Eryx said, amused. "I’ll see you in a bit."
Lunara leaned back in the plush chair, her feet soaking in warm water as the nail parlour staff began working on her pedicure. For the first ti in a while, her mind felt quiet. She glanced toward Grace, who sat silently in the corner with her tablet, blending in like part of the decor.
The door opened with a sharp chi.
She didn’t look up until a voice made her stomach tighten.
"Well, I see you’re enjoying yourself," Eloise said, her tone sugar-sweet with venom underneath. "Living it up after she died?"
Lunara blinked, turning her head slowly. Eloise stood just inside the door, sleek coat buttoned tight, every strand of hair perfectly in place. Her eyes, however, were sharp. Cold.
"She?" Lunara asked, though she already knew.
"Your mother," Eloise said, dropping the pretense. "You look so... free now. Almost like you’ve been waiting for it."
Lunara’s fingers curled around the edge of the seat. "You—"
She couldn’t finish her words when Grace suddenly stood up and stepped in front of Eloise.
"I’m sorry, Miss. You are not welco here. My boss has already booked the entire place."
At that mont, Lunara just realized that since she ca in and the last custor walked out, no one else had entered.
Eloise furrowed her brows, crossing her arms. "And who is your boss? That bitch? How much did she pay you?"
Grace didn’t answer. She simply straightened her posture and said, with the sa calm tone, "Please leave."
But Eloise suddenly shoved Grace’s shoulder aside and walked past her.
"I don’t give a fuck even if you booked the entire city," she snapped.
Then she stopped right in front of Lunara, a cruel smile curling on her lips.
"Because your happy ti is almost over."
Lunara rolled her eyes in annoyance, but this ti, she didn’t even manage to say anything before Grace stepped forward and grabbed Eloise by the arm.
"That’s enough, Miss," Grace said, her voice still calm but noticeably firr now. "I would appreciate it if you leave right away, without needing to force you."
Eloise tried to yank her arm back, feeling like she was being embarrassed at this mont. "Let go of ! Who the heck are you, daring to touch ?!"
Grace didn’t flinch. "You are disturbing Mrs. Grantham’s ti."
Eloise scoffed, then briefly looked up in irritation. "I said let go!" She tried to yank her arm again, and this ti Grace imdiately released her grip, making Eloise stumble slightly.
Catching herself, Eloise’s eyes darted toward a cup of hot tea on the side table beside Lunara. In one sharp movent, she snatched it, the steam was still rising from the surface.
Grace moved instinctively, already stepping forward, but it was Lunara who reacted first.
Lunara grabbed Eloise’s wrist before she could lift the cup any higher. "Are you insane?" she snapped.
The sudden resistance made Eloise jerk, and the hot tea sloshed out, spilling directly onto Lunara’s arm.
She hissed through clenched teeth, letting go of Eloise as the burning sensation hit her skin.
"No—!" Grace rushed to Lunara’s side instantly, reaching for a towel from the counter.
Eloise stood frozen for a second, eyes narrowing. "Oh, did that hurt? Guess that’s what happens when you pretend to be soone you’re not."
Lunara glared at her. "And what am I pretending to be, Eloise? I am not you! Entering soone’s life, stealing all their things, and acting like they were yours!"
Eloise poked her finger at Lunara’s chest. "That is supposed to be mine from the start! From..." She poked deeper. "The start."
Grace imdiately twisted Eloise’s finger and shoved it away. "You are not allowed to touch her." She glared at Eloise, her eyes cold, before turning her attention back to Lunara.
Grace gently dabbed the towel against Lunara’s arm, soothing the sting. "I’ll call security, Madam."
Eloise, now fuming, glared at the two won. "Call whoever you want. But don’t think this is over, Lunara. Your happy ti won’t last forever."
Without waiting for a response, Eloise turned and stord out.
Lunara’s arm still burned, but her anger simred deeper than the pain. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Are you okay...?"
Grace, who was surprised by the sudden question, stopped moving. She raised her head and blinked. "Yes, Mrs. Grantham."
"Ah, don’t call that. It feels awkward. Just call Lunara."
Grace nodded, a subtle shift in her deanor. "Understood."
Lunara glanced down at her arm, wincing slightly as the sting from the tea continued to throb. "That’s my half sibling." An awkward smile appeared, the covered up the pain she felt in her heart right now.
Before Grace could respond, the door slamd open again, and Eloise stord back into the room, her eyes blazing with fury.
"You must feel great about yourself, right?!" Eloise spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You think your life is the only one that matters? Look at you, proudly living in luxury while I had to fight just to survive!"
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