Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Cassian
"Pleasure doing business, Mr. King." The Taylor Group executives rose to say their goodbyes.
"Likewise. I've got some things to wrap up here, so I won't be leaving with you."
I smiled politely. This deal had finally come together smoothly.
After they left, I walked to the edge of the restaurant's courtyard and exhaled deeply.
Truth was, I had no other plans. I just wanted to avoid Megan, the youngest Taylor daughter who'd shown far too much interest at the last celebration dinner. I didn't need that kind of trouble.
The sun was bright today, making me squint. I thought I heard a child's laughter nearby.
No, I hadn't imagined it. A kid was playing in the courtyard.
I pressed my temples. I'd never liked children. You never knew what chaos they'd cause next, what mess they'd make.
"Oh! My ball!" A little girl's voice grew closer. "Mommy!"
I frowned. I was definitely filing a complaint about this place's sloppy management.
The ball rolled to my feet and stopped. The little girl ran up after it.
I picked it up and looked down. Her blonde curls caught the sunlight, her eyes were large and bright, and when she smiled, two dimples appeared.
Something about her eyes struck me as familiar. Before I could process it, a woman's figure entered my vision.
A flash of gold stopped my heart.
Her.
It was really her.
Luna.
Six years. She stood in the sunlight, much thinner now, her hair lifted slightly by the breeze. Her eyes were still clear, but layered with a cold distance.
I blinked hard, trying to confirm this wasn't a hallucination. After all, I'd seen this scene in countless midnight dreams.
Once I confirmed I wasn't dreaming, longing crashed over me like a broken dam. My heart pounded like it would explode, my throat went dry, and my fingers trembled.
I wanted to run to her, hold her. I wanted to drop to my knees and beg forgiveness. I wanted to scream every word I hadn't said in six years—I was wrong, I've been going fucking insane missing you!
"Mommy!" The little girl turned back, cheerfully waving at Luna.
"Thank you, sir!" She looked back at me, taking a few steps closer with natural trust. "Sir, your hair is like mine! Blonde and curly!"
The words detonated in my brain.
This was Luna's child—no question—those eyes, those dimples, a perfect copy of her. But looking closer, that light golden curly hair, the way it curved...
Like mine.
My breathing quickened. Could this be my child?
Before I could think it through, a soft little hand grasped mine. I saw the little girl reaching up to me.
Almost instinctively, I reached out and lifted her. Her small body was soft and warm, carrying that sweet child-scent, but I barely dared breathe. She wrapped her arms around my neck, giggling.
When did I not realize children could be this adorable? She was like an angel.
My eyes stung. Six years, I'd thought I'd gone numb. But now, all that emotion surged through me like electricity, nearly knocking me off my feet.
"Luna... it's you..." My fingertips trembled slightly as I looked up at her.
Her face looked strained, as if seeing me was deeply unpleasant. It hurt.
Luna didn't speak. She glanced at me, expressionless. But she quickly stepped forward and took the child from my arms—or rather, snatched her away, fast as if afraid I'd hurt her.
Then she handed the child to Chloe. That's when I noticed my sister was there too.
"Long time no see, Mr. King." After putting the child down, she finally spoke, her tone steady but heavily distant. She'd called me Mr. King.
"Luna..." When I spoke her name, my eyes stung again. "It's really you..."
Fuck, Cassian, use the eloquence you have in negotiations. Not this dry, useless rambling.
But I had too many questions clogged in my throat. I couldn't get a single word out.
She smiled—that polite smile reserved for strangers. It stabbed my heart. "I have things to do. I should go."
She nodded to me and moved to leave.
"Can we... talk for a bit longer?" I spoke urgently. I just wanted more time with her. I had so many questions. I couldn't let go of her, couldn't lose her again.
"Talk about what?" She finally looked at me directly, her tone laced with mockery. "Sorry, but I don't think we're close enough for small talk."
"And you really shouldn't go around holding other people's kids."
Other people's kids. Those words slammed into me hard. Had she had a child with someone else these past years?
My stomach churned. My wife, my Luna—she really didn't care about me anymore.
My head spun. I stepped back, then looked up to see the little girl hiding behind Chloe, tilting her head to look at me.
No! It couldn't be! This child looked so much like me, appeared to be four or five—what if... no, she had to be mine!
I desperately tried to convince myself.
"Luna, where's Laila? I just parked the car." Before I could make my next move, a man walked over.
Dark-haired, looked European, wearing an infuriating smile, deep blue eyes reflecting Luna's image.
Then he casually took her bag and patted her shoulder—a gesture intimate and glaring, like claiming ownership.
I watched the child run to him, watched him lift her like a father would—far more practiced than I'd been.
Who the fuck was this bastard!
Why was he near my Luna!
Was he Luna's new partner? The child's father?
No. Impossible. I could barely stand.
As he moved to lead Luna away, I couldn't hold back anymore. I grabbed her arm. The force surprised even me.
"Luna." Ignoring the man, I spoke urgently. "Where have you been all these years? Do you know how long I've been looking for you?"
My voice grew louder, wanting to spill everything I'd held back. "What happened before was my fault. Listen to me, it was a misunderstanding."
"Cassian! That's all in the past."
She frowned, trying to pull away. But I didn't let go.
Right now, I didn't care about manners. The fear that she might disappear again gripped my heart.
Suddenly, a childish voice spoke. "Mommy, who is this man? Have I met him before?"
Laila? Was that her name? So sweet.
She looked at me curiously, eyes clear.
That gaze made me loosen my grip, and Luna yanked free. She handed Laila to Chloe, telling them to get in the car first.
After watching them leave, Luna turned back, anger in her eyes. "Mr. King. I'm doing fine now. Please don't disrupt my life."
What did that mean? Was she cutting me off completely? Impossible!
My breathing grew more rapid, I could feel my heartbeat, my voice getting more urgent and hoarse, needing to confirm one answer. "Whose child is that? Your child? Is she... our child?"
The moment I said it, I held my breath. Huge hope rose from deep inside. If she really was our child...
But Luna just looked at me coldly. "No. Don't fantasize."
Her voice was ice. A voice I hadn't heard in six years, yet it could instantly freeze me.
"Please have some boundaries." She said it and stepped back twice, the disgust in her eyes nearly shattering me.
The man suddenly moved forward, reeking of pine, extending his arm to block me in a protective stance, and Luna moved slightly closer to him.
In that instant, all hope burst like bubbles.
Seeing their intimacy, remembering the child's trust in that man, everything I'd been so certain of suddenly filled me with doubt.
Jealousy sent blood rushing to my head, my ears buzzing. I stared at him coldly, fists slowly clenching. I could feel myself coiling, veins bulging.
"Get lost." My voice came from somewhere deep and hellish. "Who the fuck are you? What's your relationship with her?"
"I'm Sebastian Loran, principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in London." His tone was flat, but when he mentioned Royal Ballet, he glanced at Luna, eyes tender. "Also, Luna's most compatible dance partner."
Before I could process the meaning of that look, Luna tugged his sleeve.
"Seb." Her tone was soft, completely different from how she'd spoken to me. "No need to explain. Let's go."
My vision went dark, breathing became difficult. Jealousy burned away all reason. I stepped forward, almost lunging to grab that man's collar, yank him away from her, and punch him hard.
The man nodded, the mockery in his eyes when he looked at me was enough to make me lose control. My voice rose. "How dare you! You fucking—"
"Cassian!"
Chloe's hand clamped onto my rising arm. I didn't know when she'd returned, but she was beside me now, gripping me hard. "You're in public."
"Let go of me!"
"Enough!" Her voice was low but filled with anger and urgency. "You want to embarrass yourself? There are people everywhere. You want to make headlines?"
I noticed the gathering stares. But I didn't care. I shook off her hand, growling. "Let go! She's mine!"
Chloe's face darkened. She dragged me back a few steps. "If you charge at them now, you'll only make it worse! Look at Luna's eyes. She'll hate you! She's already sick of you!"
That sentence made my heart stop. I turned to look at Luna.
Her eyes narrowed, gaze cold and guarded, like she was watching some wild animal.
In that moment, it was like ice water poured over me. Chilled from head to toe.
What had I done? Acting like a lunatic at our first reunion?
Seeing me stop, Chloe released me, her voice cold. "Calm down. Look at yourself right now—who would want to come near you?"
I stood there, chest heaving violently. The jealousy still burned, but reason gradually returned.
Luna didn't look at me again. She nodded to Chloe, then turned and left.
That man named Seb followed Luna. I could only watch their backs grow more distant.
I walked into the private room, Chloe following. She tried to grab my arm, but I shook her off.
"You knew all along." My voice was sharp as a blade. "Chloe, you're my sister. You watched me suffer for six fucking years and didn't say a word?"
Chloe looked at me, eyes reddening, but she didn't avoid my gaze.
"I'm her best friend, and you hurt her." She lifted her chin.
My breathing caught. I couldn't deny that. The idiot I'd been had made too many mistakes.
I yanked my tie loose irritably. "Then tell me whose child that is!"
My voice grew louder, echoing in the room. "That man's? Or—"
Halfway through, I choked on my own words. I didn't dare say what came after "or," didn't want to hear the answer.
She fell silent. Maybe the silence itself was the answer.
"Fuck!" I lost control, punching the wall, feeling blood surge from my knuckles.
Chloe rushed over, stopping my second punch.
"Cassian! Stop acting like a madman. I know these years have been hard for you. But what about Luna?" She glanced at my hand, then back at my face.
"You have no idea what she's been through. What gives you the right to expect her to just... accept you?"
I didn't answer. Because I didn't know. Those six missing years were blank, my fault, and I had no rebuttal.
"I understand you want to ask about the child." Chloe's sharp gaze fixed on me. "But have you considered—even if she is yours, what can you do by charging up there? What makes Luna believe you can treat them right? Besides, you're divorced!"
"No! We're not! I never signed that damn paper!"
"Oh my God... you lunatic..."
"Luna is my wife. Always has been! No one can take her from me!"
"What's the point of telling me?" She laughed mockingly. "You stand here spouting this useless crap. Can she hear you? Will she forgive you? Idiot."
"Chloe King!"
She shut her mouth, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door. As she passed me, she slammed her shoulder hard into mine.
The door closed. The restaurant fell deathly silent. I slid down the wall to the floor, breathing deeply until reason returned, then got up and left.
Back in the car, I sat in the driver's seat, not starting the engine for a long time.
Chloe's words pissed me off, but once I calmed down, I understood. She was right. I needed to control my emotions and take action to win Luna back.
Now, Luna was back. We were in the same city.
I narrowed my eyes at the lawn outside the window; the image of the child playing there burned into my mind.
But then I thought of Seb's interactions with them, Luna's reliance on him.
Jealousy flared again, but this time it made me clearer-headed.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my private investigator.
"Hey, Charlie." My voice was eerily calm, like the quiet before a storm. "I need you to look into someone... Sebastian Loran, principal at the Royal Ballet in London."
"Got it, Mr. King."
I hung up and leaned back in my seat.
Washington's afternoon sun was blinding, like mockery.
Divorce papers? I'd never signed them.
Legally, she was still my wife.
The child... no rush. I'd take this slowly.
I knew the old me had been arrogant and cold, had broken Luna's heart. But that was because I thought I didn't love her.
Now I saw clearly how much I loved her. I wouldn't make those stupid mistakes again.
Cassian, you've survived this long. Stay calm now.
I sat in the car for a long time. By the time the sky began to darken, I started the engine and slowly pulled out of the parking lot.
Washington's night hadn't fully fallen. This drive home felt less lonely.
Maybe because I knew Luna was somewhere in this city.
Six years. This time, I wouldn't let go easily. I was absolutely certain—I loved her.