Chapter 06

While Ethan took his time deciding whether he would search for the triplets or finally accept his role as a father, Luna waited outside the building, standing beneath the shade of a tree, watching the slow movement of the city streets. No matter how much she tried to escape the memories of the past, every stone in that place reminded her of the hard times she had lived.

Flashes of her childhood flooded Luna’s mind, few moments of happiness while her parents were still alive. She could still remember the sweet scent of her mother’s long hair and the deep tone of her father’s voice. But after someone murdered them, their life blurred into a mess of painful scars, until Ethan came and saved them.

He had looked like a hero on a white horse, ready to rescue her. She still recalled the wave of relief she felt when she married him. She thought she would finally be happy again, but things didn’t go as she had hoped.

The memories tangled with her pain. Boris, the cruel uncle who took her in after her parents’ death, crept back into her thoughts. She wondered where he might have gone. She hoped never to see him again, she couldn’t bear to look at him without wanting to kill him.

What if Boris had something to do with the triplets’ kidnapping? The thought sent a shiver down Luna’s spine. She couldn’t stand the idea of having her life in his hands again.

Tired of waiting, Luna decided to investigate the outskirts of the city on her own. Everything around her started to seem suspicious, she couldn’t trust anyone anymore. Not even ask for a piece of information. She refused to risk her children’s lives.

With each step she took down the streets, curious eyes followed her. She heard whispers and mocking laughter. People didn’t forget scandals easily, especially when they involved the most powerful man in town. Everyone remembered Luna had run away after being rejected and still saw her as worthless trash in the midst of high society.

Her steps led her to the old house where she used to live with her parents. It looked abandoned, in ruins. She remembered the time Boris had tried to sell it, but buyers always backed out once they learned what had happened inside. It felt cursed.

A wave of bad feelings washed over her.

She walked under the porch, down a long corridor. The rotting wood sank in some spots, but that wasn’t what caught Grace’s attention. A forgotten old toy lay on the ground. She felt a sudden urge to pick it up but gave up. Then she froze as she heard branches snapping nearby. Her sharp senses kicked in, and she scanned the entire area, only to spot a bird flying out of the bushes.

Someone abandoned that house years ago. Since her parents’ death, no one has dared to live there. People claimed that the house was haunted and that the screams of its former owners still echoed through the empty rooms. Luna focused on the place again. Cracked walls lined with several doors stretched around her. She kept walking until she reached a large door that stood open. When she stepped inside, she felt watched. The air smelled awful, but the memories etched into every corner of the room almost made her cry. The house sat isolated, far from town, and rarely did anyone come near it. Still lost in thought, she suddenly felt someone’s presence approaching. As she prepared to run, a hand grabbed her.

Panic exploded in Luna’s chest. She thought about screaming, but before she could act, the intruder spoke—as if he had read her mind:

“I’m not here to hurt you, Luna. I just want to talk.”

He let go of her, stepping back, revealing even more of his muscular build. He wore a black shirt, and his golden hair caught the sunlight. Luna had never seen this man before in her life. As she looked into his eyes, fear gripped her. What if he was the kidnapper and had come for her?

She stepped back. Then another step. Until she realized she had no way out.

“Who are you?” Her trembling voice came out as a whisper.

“No need to be afraid, Luna,” he said, taking a step forward, though hesitantly. “My name is Xander, and I’m not from this city.”

Terror spread through her slowly as she wondered how he knew her name. He had the brightest blue eyes Luna had ever seen. His scruffy beard matched his golden hair perfectly.

“How do you know who I am?” she asked, this time louder.

“Word has spread beyond the city that you’re looking for your kidnapped children,” he pointed vaguely, but she kept her eyes locked on his. “News travels fast when it involves the billionaire Ethan’s missing kids.”

Luna found it strange. Her brows arched in disbelief. She needed to be cautious, she couldn’t trust anyone.

“Why are you looking for me?” she asked, swallowing hard before continuing.

“I thought about talking to Ethan, but he wouldn’t listen to me.” Luna’s confusion deepened. “Why would he trust a stranger?”

“And what makes you think I would?”

Xander looked into her eyes, sending chills through her. Then he glanced toward the woods next to the house, sighed, and replied,

“Because I have information about the triplets’ whereabouts that will interest you.”

Luna’s heart skipped wildly. Her eyes trembled. Her mouth went dry. She studied Xander for any sign he was telling the truth. Silence stretched between them. Luna’s mind raced. Should she believe this man? What would he gain from offering something so important? What were his actual intentions?

“How can I know you’re telling the truth?” Her body tensed as she felt she might be close to discovering where her children were.

“You’ll have to trust me.”

It was a risky game,trusting someone she didn’t know. Luna needed more proof. The kidnappers might have set this up as a trap to capture her.

“Your friend’s death was a mistake. They thought she was removing you from the path. But now they know you’re still alive,” he said calmly, picking at his teeth with a thin twig.

“Who killed her?” Luna’s voice turned heavy, her expression dark.

Just as Xander prepared to answer, a shadow loomed behind him. Ethan stood at the end of the hallway, his eyes burning, everything moving in slow motion. Before Xander could turn to see who it was, Ethan charged, grabbing him and slamming him against the wall.

On the side, Luna stifled a scream.

“Who are you?” Ethan’s face twisted into something demonic.

“He’s an informant.” Luna touched Ethan’s hand to stop him from hurting Xander. “He knows where the triplets are.”

Ethan took a while to process Luna’s words, keeping his hand on Xander’s chest.

“Why does the most powerful man in the city walk around without his bodyguards?” Xander’s voice came out weak and dragged, but held a boldness that made Ethan hesitate.

“You don’t think I’m strong enough to defend myself?” Ethan growled, pushing harder, as if trying to fuse him with the wall. “I run this city. Everyone fears me.”

“I’m not from this city. I have no reason to fear you,” Xander replied, a big mistake.

Luna’s gut twisted as she watched the scene unfold, realizing this could end terribly. She hadn’t come there to start a war, she came to find her children.

After a while, Ethan slowly backed away, his eyes still locked on Xander. Then he turned to Luna, still burning with fury.

“I’ll hear what he has to say,” he whispered in her ear as he leaned close, “but you shouldn’t trust a stranger so easily, ex-wife.”

While Xander stared at him, Ethan grabbed Luna’s arm and dragged her away from the place.