Chapter 18 Apologies, Packing Wars, and a Jealous White Moonlight
The internet exploded before breakfast.
brEAKING NEWS:
Award-Winning Actress Arielle Cross Confirmed to Appear on Reality Show With Her Sons
Photos followed.
Arielle leaving Lucian’s company.
Emrys smiling lazily beside her.
Rhett opening the car door for her.
Zayden shielding her from reporters.
Comments flooded in faster than Arielle could blink.
— “This family is unreal???”
— “Celebrity mom + CEO sons?? I’m seated.
”
— “Why are they all fine???”
— “Where’s the husband?
”
Arielle stared at her phone, stunned.
“…Eh?”
Behind her, chaos had already begun.
“Mom, you can’t pack only neutral colors!
”
“You’re not wearing that on camera.
”
“That suitcase is too small.”
“That suitcase is too big!”
Arielle turned slowly.
Her living room looked like a fashion warehouse had exploded.
Clothes everywhere.
Accessories scattered.
Three grown men arguing like children.
…So this is my life now.
“Boys,” she tried.
No one heard her.
Emrys was holding up two outfits.
“This one makes you look youthful.”
Rhett snatched it.
“That one makes her look childish.”
Zayden frowned seriously.
“What if she gets cold?”
Arielle rubbed her temple.
“Why are you all more stressed than me?”
They froze.
Then spoke in unison.
“Because it’s our job.
”
She laughed before she could stop herself.
And in that moment—
Lucian arrived.
The front door opened quietly.
No dramatic entrance.
No cold aura.
Just… Lucian.
Tie loosened.
Suit jacket gone.
Eyes tired.
The sons turned.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Rhett straightened.
Zayden frowned.
Emrys smirked.
Lucian ignored all of them.
He walked straight to Arielle.
She looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a second, no one breathed.
“Arielle,” he said softly. “Can we talk?”
The sons stepped forward.
“She’s busy.”
“We’re packing.”
“You can talk later.”
Lucian didn’t argue.
He simply bowed his head slightly.
“I won’t take long.
”
Arielle blinked.
…Did he just—?
She hesitated, then nodded.
“Five minutes.”
They stepped aside.
Lucian stood there, hands clenched, like a man waiting for judgment.
“I was wrong,” he said.
No excuses.
No explanations.
Just that.
“I shouldn’t have doubted you.
I shouldn’t have misunderstood you. And I shouldn’t have let someone else stand between us.
”
Arielle stayed silent.
Lucian swallowed.
“I know I hurt you,” he continued. “And I know an apology doesn’t erase that.
But… I miss you.”
That one landed.
Hard.
“I miss the way you used to look at me,” he said quietly.
“And I hate that I’m not part of your world anymore.
”
Her heart wavered.
…Damn it. Why now?
“I’m not asking you to forgive me immediately,” he added.
“Just… don’t shut me out completely.”
Behind them—
“Wow.”
“He practiced that.”
“He’s good.
”
“Still guilty though.”
Arielle sighed.
Lucian looked up nervously. “So…?”
She crossed her arms.
“I’m still angry.
”
His shoulders dropped.
“But,” she added, “I don’t hate you.
”
His eyes lit up like he’d been given oxygen.
“I’ll take that.”
She shook her head, half amused, half exasperated.
“Go sit down. You’re not stopping the show.
”
A slow smile spread across his face.
Across the room, the sons exchanged looks.
…This man is dangerous.
Meanwhile…
Lin Yue
Lin Yue stared at her phone.
The headline burned into her eyes.
Celebrity mom. Reality show. Happy family.
Her fingers tightened.
“…If I hadn’t left,” she whispered, “how would she be enjoying all this?”
Her reflection stared back at her from the dark screen.
Perfect makeup.
Perfect smile.
Cracking.
She remembered the house.
The way Lucian used to look at Arielle.
The warmth she could never replicate.
“I endured so much,” Lin Yue murmured.
“Just to protect my image.”
And yet—
Arielle stood where she never could.
Loved.
Chosen.
Surrounded.
Her nails dug into her palm.
“No,” she said softly. “This isn’t over.
”
Her smile returned.
Sweet.
Harmless.
Green.
Back at the House
Suitcases zipped.
Schedules finalized.
The sons hovered around Arielle like bodyguards.
Lucian watched from the couch, pretending not to care.
…They’re really taking her away.
Arielle caught his gaze.
For a split second—
Something warm flickered between them.
Then Emrys clapped loudly.
“Alright! Tomorrow we leave!”
Lucian stiffened.
Arielle smiled faintly.
And just like that—
The game truly began.
Author’s Note ??
Ahhh my people ??
This chapter is about movement.
? Lucian apologizing (REAL apology, not CEO nonsense)
? Family chaos + comedy
? Breaking news hype
? Lin Yue officially jealous and spiraling
? Reality show arc fully activated
Next chapter?
?? Reality show arrival.
?? Cameras ON.
?? Jealousy ON MAX.
If you’re smiling while reading this, tell me ??
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