Chapter 192
Ellie POV
I woke up the next morning with a headache that felt like someone had taken a hammer to my skull.
The sun had barely started rising when my eyes opened.
For a few precious seconds, I existed in that beautiful space between sleep and reality.
A place where nothing hurts.
A place where I wasn't a wife.
Where I hadn't stood at an altar.
Where I hadn't stabbed the man I had just married.
Then memory returned.
All at once.
The vows.
The contract.
The argument.
The dagger.
Dominic's expression when he looked at me.
Everything.
A groan escaped me.
I grabbed the spare pillow beside me and pressed it over my face, hoping it would somehow block out the entire world.
For a moment, I considered staying like that until I ran out of air.
Then I remembered I was apparently terrible at dying.
So I pulled it away.
One thing had become painfully clear overnight.
My decision was made.
I had spent hours staring at the ceiling, replaying every conversation, every possibility, every mistake.
And by morning, my plan had finally formed.
I couldn't stay.
No matter how confusing my feelings for Dominic were.
No matter how much a part of me still cared about him.
That was the one thing I knew.
I needed to get away before history repeated itself.
Because I didn't know if the Moon Goddess would be generous enough to give me a third chance.
The problem was simple.
Dominic had made sure I couldn't initiate a divorce.
The contract had taken that choice away from me.
Which meant there was only one option.
I had to make him end it.
Luckily...
I knew Dominic.
I knew exactly what irritated him.
I knew his habits.
His limits.
The little things that made his patience disappear.
It was one of the few things I had always been good at.
By the end of the week, maybe even sooner, I would push him far enough.
He would get tired.
Frustrated.
Embarrassed.
Angry.
And eventually, he would be the one to ask for a divorce.
At least...
That was the hope.
With that thought in mind, I forced myself out of bed.
I showered.
Changed.
Brushed my teeth.
Then headed downstairs for coffee.
The house was quiet.
Perfect.
I wanted to get out before anyone had the chance to stop me.
Unfortunately...
Someone was already awake.
Marcus stood in the kitchen.
The moment I entered, his eyes found me.
"Luna."
The title sounded strange coming from him.
Almost reluctant.
Like he wasn't sure he wanted to acknowledge it.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
I could see the distrust in his expression.
The suspicion.
Honestly?
I couldn't blame him.
After what happened yesterday, I was surprised he was even willing to stand in the same room with me.
In my past life, Marcus had already decided I was the enemy.
The woman who ruined everything.
Apparently, some things hadn't changed.
"Morning."
My voice was flat.
I quickly poured coffee into a thermos.
I had no interest in breakfast.
No interest in conversation.
I turned toward the door.
"Luna."
Marcus stopped me.
I paused.
"I thought you should know that a meeting has been scheduled regarding the upcoming festival."
I kept walking.
A festival.
Seriously?
That was the last thing I wanted to hear about.
I wasn't going to pretend everything was normal.
I wasn't going to smile, organize events, and play the perfect Luna.
Not anymore.
If Dominic wanted a Luna who handled every responsibility perfectly...
He could find someone else.
Actually?
I preferred that.
I had no intention of making this marriage easier for him.
The healer academy was already filling with students when I arrived.
I parked my car and walked inside.
My plan was simple.
Avoid everyone.
Avoid questions.
Avoid the looks.
So I spent the entire morning in the library.
And the afternoon too.
Hidden away in a quiet corner where no one would bother me.
I studied.
Read.
Focused on anything that wasn't my disaster of a life.
Around lunchtime, I finally considered leaving to grab something to eat.
I was halfway packing my things when I heard footsteps approaching.
I looked up.
And froze.
"Ellie."
My mother.
She hurried toward me.
Her face was pale.
Her hair was slightly messy, like she had rushed here without caring about anything else.
Before I could react, she grabbed my shoulders.
"Are you hurt?"
Her voice was quiet.
Almost afraid.
I stiffened.
Then shook my head.
"No."
She released a breath of relief.
But she didn't let go.
"I heard—"
"I'm sure you did."
My jaw tightened.
The bitterness slipped out before I could stop it.
Then I looked down.
"Mom..."
My voice softened slightly.
"I'm sorry I ruined your dress."
Her expression changed immediately.
"You think I'm worried about a dress right now?"
She stared at me.
"Ellie, what happened between you and Vivian..."