Chapter 23 #2
“And she will!” Madeline turns to the hover orbs with a grin. “Stay tuned, Eclipsera—we’ll be joined by Aria Ellis herself next to share her own exciting news.”
Aria? Here?
I hadn’t seen her in the prep suites. No sign of her in the makeup bay or the guest lounge. My expression holds steady, but inside, something twists. Of course, she would choose today. My breakthrough, my moment, and she still manages to make it about her.
“How wonderful,” I say, voice dripping honey to hide the venom. “Viewers are in for quite a treat.”
“Cut!” the director calls. “Great first segment. Reset for the culinary crossover.”
I rise with controlled grace, accepting a glass of water from a production assistant. The studio lights dim, the crew murmuring around us as hover orbs reposition. Alexander is at my side a heartbeat later.
“Well done,” he murmurs, his presence grounding me even as the ache of betrayal simmers just beneath my skin.
I hesitate, then ask the question that’s been burning since Madeline’s ambush. “Is she really here?”
His expression softens. That rare sliver of tenderness he reserves for moments like this. “Yes. I instructed the staff to keep your preparation areas separate. Today was too important to risk any disruptions.”
“Thank you,” I say meaning it. “It was probably for the best. I needed to focus.”
“You were exceptional.” His hand brushes the small of my back.
“The Lower Ring intake begins tomorrow. Dr. Vale’s team is fully briefed.
Once the results are visible, public opinion will bend to inevitability.
” He pauses outside the dressing room door.
“I’ll have the car brought around. Take your time. ”
I nod, grateful for the space.
Inside, I slip into soft silk blouse and tailored slacks. I’m fastening the final button when I spot movement in the mirror. The door creaks open and a familiar silhouette slips through the gap. Before I can react, Aria steps inside, locking it with a decisive click.
“Nice performance,” she says, voice cutting. “Really sold that vision. Did Alexander script your lines for you, or have you convinced yourself they’re true?”
I turn slowly, fingers lingering at the collar. She leans against the door, blocking my only exit. The vanity lights cast her features in harsh relief, like someone wearing my sister’s skin, but not my sister at all.
“At least I’m doing something meaningful with my life. How’s your little rebellion going? Still playing detective while pretending to be Dom’s perfect fiancée?”
“Luna, I don’t even recognize you anymore.” Aria’s voice is raw in a way that scrapes at old, unhealed places.
“Maybe you never really saw me, or just liked me small and contained. The silent sister, always two steps behind. But I’m not in your shadow anymore, Aria. I’m building something that matters, more than you ever did, and you can’t stand it.”
“You think I’m jealous?” Her eyes flare. “Luna, I’m terrified for you.”
“Spare me.” I wave her off, venom coating every syllable. “How’s the engagement going? Did Dom let you pick the centerpieces, or does he script your vows too?”
“It’s not what you think—”
“No?” I slice in. “I didn’t think you were this stupid. Letting him leash you like some pretty little prize. Aria Ellis, once the Academy’s golden girl, now just another Blackwood trophy.”
Her face hardens. “And I never thought you’d be stupid enough to let Alexander use that brilliant mind of yours to experiment on humans. Those aren’t lab rats, Luna. They’re people!”
“We’re helping them! Advancing humanity! You’re too blinded by your paranoid delusions about Alexander to see it.”
“Delusions?” She steps forward. “He killed our parents, Luna.”
“You have no proof! I’m so sick of this conspiracy theory. Our parents died in an accident. The only person twisting anything is you.”
She’s shaking now. “Those people you’re recruiting aren’t test subjects, they’re desperate. They don’t understand what they’re agreeing to.”
“They’re signing up for a better future.” I start gathering my things, hands trembling despite my fury. “You want to throw your life away chasing some self-indulgent crusade? Go ahead. But don’t you dare pretend it’s for me.”
“Luna, please—”
“We’re finished.” I reach for the door. “You’ve made your choice, I’ve made mine. If you want to speak to me again, file a request through Alexander’s office like everyone else.”
“This isn’t you,” she whispers.
I turn back one last time, letting her see the conviction in my eyes. The fracture that will never mend. “No, Aria. This is exactly who I am. Who I’ve always been. You just never bothered to look past yourself long enough to notice.”
The door closes with a final click, leaving us on opposite sides of a divide that won’t be crossed. Both believing we’re right. Both knowing there’s no common ground left to find.
Alexander is waiting by the car as promised. He doesn’t ask why I took so long, just opens the door and lets me slip inside.
I fold into the seat, and the city glides past in shimmering silence, but all I feel is fire in my chest. Fury not just at Aria’s self-righteous accusations, but at what Dominic Blackwood has done to her. He’s made her weak and pathetic.
It’s almost poetic. While she wastes her time chasing conspiracies and planning her farce of a wedding, I’m finally stepping into the spotlight she always hogged. Showing everyone that the quiet sister, the afterthought, is the one who will change history.