The air grew heavy as the word "Mommy" echoed in their ears. Mila had grown up without a mother figure, and hearing her say it was a shock to both Eryx and Naomi.
Eryx imdiately crouched down, a rare softness in his expression. "Where did you learn that word?" he asked gently.
Mila’s big eyes sparkled as she pointed her chubby little finger at Lunara, who stood frozen in shock. "Mommy..." she repeated.
Eryx smiled again as he gently picked her up, holding her close. "Mommy is tired. Let her sleep for now, okay?"
"But Mila wants Mommy... Sleep with Mommy," Mila whined, wiggling her little feet in protest. She quickly dashed to Lunara, wrapping her tiny arms around her leg. "Mommy..." she pouted, her eyes welling up as if she was about to cry.
Lunara, at twenty-three years old and having spent most of her life alone, had no idea how to react. "Ah... I should go," she muttered, blinking in panic.
But before she could move, Eryx caught her hand, stopping her in her tracks. "Don’t leave the house. Stay... we have a lot to discuss." He said before picking up Mila back in his arms.
"I won’t fall for your ’discussion’ anymore," Lunara scoffed. "When you say that, do you actually an flirting and all that?"
Naomi’s eyes widened at her words. "Did he do sothing to you?!" She imdiately slapped Eryx’s shoulder. "What are you? A hungry tiger?"
Eryx remained unfazed, his cold gaze steady before he let out a quiet sigh. "If I were hungry or touchy, she is my wife."
Naomi rolled her eyes upward, trying to process his words before unconsciously nodding.
"Correction—"
"Say the word ’correction’ one more ti, and you won’t be leaving this room for a week." His deep, low voice sent a chill through the air. Though the words sounded like a joke, his expression made it clear he wasn’t.
"Is that... err, supposed to be a threat?" Lunara gulped, her voice slightly unsteady as she tried to shoot back.
"Try . Run away again, and I’ll turn this whole city upside down to bring you back."
The air grew heavy the mont his words fell. In front of her stood a completely different person. This wasn’t the man who had been teasing and flirting just monts ago. No, this was the sa Eryx she had t two years ago. Cold, relentless, and terrifyingly resolute.
Can soone really switch personalities in the blink of an eye?
"Ahem..." Lunara cleared her throat and shifted her gaze to Naomi, silently pleading for help.
Naomi caught on imdiately and stepped in, crossing her arms. "She’ll sleep in my room," she declared without hesitation.
"And why would she do that?" Eryx asked, adjusting Mila in his arms.
"Because she wants to," Naomi shot back, tilting her chin up defiantly.
Lunara quickly nodded. "Yes. Exactly. I want to."
Eryx’s gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. "You think you can just decide that?"
Naomi scoffed. "Oh, so now you’re deciding where she sleeps, too? What’s next? A curfew?"
"Starting tonight, you’ll sleep here," Eryx declared firmly before turning his attention to Mila, his expression softening instantly. He flashed her a warm smile. "Let’s go, princess. What do you want for dinner?"
Without waiting for a response, he carried Mila to the stairs, leaving Lunara standing there, stunned.
"Did he just say I have to sleep with him?!" Lunara blurted out, her face heating up in disbelief.
Naomi sighed, crossing her arms. "Yep, he did. And knowing him, he won’t take no for an answer."
Lunara groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is insane. I’m not staying in his room."
Naomi smirked. "Then you better figure out how to convince him, because once Eryx makes up his mind, there’s no changing it."
"How? I don’t want to sleep here, I don’t care, you need to help ." Lunara blinked her eyes in a pitiful way, hoping Naomi would help her.
Naomi sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her hip. "Oh no, don’t give those puppy eyes. Eryx is scary when he’s in that mode."
"Naomi," Lunara whined, grabbing her arm. "Please! I seriously can’t stay here. What if he tries sothing?!"
Naomi raised an eyebrow. "What happened?" she whispered, starting to act like a nosy middle-aged aunt. "What did you two do earlier?" Her eyes narrowed playfully.
Lunara’s face turned red in an instant. "What are you even thinking?! Nothing happened!" she hissed, swatting Naomi’s arm.
Naomi grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Oh, co on. The way you’re panicking says otherwise," she teased.
Lunara groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This is a nightmare... I should have just run when I had the chance."
Naomi patted her back with mock sympathy. "Too late now, Ara. You’re stuck." Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she added, "But if things get interesting, I want details."
Lunara shot her a glare before sighing in defeat. "I’m going to die here."
"Well, if you survive the night, at least you’ll have a story to tell," Naomi said with a wink.
"Naomi! You told to get a divorce earlier, and now you’ve changed your mind?" Lunara pressed her lips into a thin line, clearly unsatisfied.
"Well, if things work out, it’d be better having you here. That way, I don’t have to worry," Naomi said with a sly grin, crossing her arms. "He’s not that bad, right? I an, just look at his face."
"Excuse , girl? What can a handso face—"
"Lunara..."
A voice from the end of the hallway made them both turn.
Regina stood there, her presence cold and unreadable. She gestured for Lunara to co closer. "We need to talk."
Naomi instinctively held onto Lunara’s arm. "Is there sothing you need, Mom?"
"I just need to discuss sothing with her," Regina replied smoothly.
Naomi didn’t loosen her grip. Her mother never did anything without a reason, and that reason was usually never good.
"Whatever you need to say, you can say it here," Naomi said, her voice steady.
Regina’s lips curled into a small, cold smile. "I wasn’t aware you had beco Lunara’s spokesperson."
Lunara, sensing the tension, gently pulled her arm free. "It’s fine, Naomi. I’ll hear her out."
Naomi shot her a warning look. "Are you sure? You don’t know how she is."
Lunara forced a small smile. "It’s okay. I won’t be long."
Regina turned, heading to her studies, already expecting Lunara to follow.
As they walked away, Naomi crossed her arms, tapping her foot anxiously. "I need to tell Eryx about this." she muttered under her breath.
Reviews
All reviews (0)