Chapter 2

The lights in the apartment stayed on all night.

I knelt on the floor, packing my things one by one. I didn't need to be so thorough. Most of it wasn't important anyway—just clothes, shoes, accessories.

But I needed something to do with my hands. If I stopped moving, I would start thinking. And if I started thinking, I would fall apart.

The closet was full of clothes and shoes Felix had bought for me. Beautiful things. Expensive things. They weren't my style at all. I preferred simple lines, neutral colors, understated elegance.

But Felix liked me in pastels and lace. He liked me in flowing skirts and delicate jewelry. So I wore them. I wanted to make him happy.

Now I understood. Dressed like that, I looked more like Luna. I was a living mannequin for his lost love.

Felix and I first met at a gala hosted by one of the allied families.

He grabbed my hand, excited. His grip was warm and urgent. Then, when I turned around, his expression fell. The light in his eyes died.

"Sorry," he said, releasing me. "I thought you were someone else."

He walked away quickly, almost embarrassed. I didn't think much of it at the time. People make mistakes.

Later that night, I went up to the stage and played a piece on the piano as a birthday gift for the host. Music had always been my escape. When my fingers touched the keys, the rest of the world disappeared.

When I came down, Felix was looking at me again. The spotlights caught his face. He smiled at me with such warmth, such tenderness, that my heart stopped.

"Miss Sera?" he said, extending his hand. "I'm Felix Silva. May I have the first dance?"

I thought I was falling in love.

But what did Felix see in that moment? Me? Or the ghost of Luna standing behind me, wearing the same dress, playing the same song?

A tear splashed onto my hand. It burned like acid.

A message from Professor Lumiere pulled me out of my spiral. The contract.

My hands shook as I signed my name. The ink bled into the paper, but I didn't care.

Maybe in that moment, I knew. There was no going back. Once I signed, my future was set. I would leave. I would start over. I would become someone new.

I collapsed onto the floor and sobbed. Great, heaving sobs that came from somewhere deep inside me. I cried for the years I had wasted. I cried for the love I had given so freely. I cried for the woman I used to be.

Three and a half hours after sunrise, I had packed and shipped everything I owned.

I stood in the kitchen, making hangover soup. Old habit. Felix always got headaches after drinking too much. I used to make this for him without being asked.

Now, I was making it one last time. I would wait for him to come home. Then we would talk. Honestly. Calmly. No more lies.

The door opened around noon.

Instead of Felix's face, I saw a large bouquet of roses. Red. Dramatic. Obnoxious. He smiled at me apologetically from behind the flowers.

I blinked. Then I smiled back. It felt strange, like wearing a mask that didn't quite fit.

"You're back? The hangover soup is almost ready. Would you like some? I have something to talk to you about."

Felix's expression flickered with unease.

He had imagined how I might react. Anger. Tears. Maybe throwing something at him. He could handle all of that. He was a Don. He had faced down armed men without flinching.

But not this. Not me acting like nothing had happened.

He rushed to the kitchen doorway, still holding the roses.

"Are you angry?" he asked. "Let me explain. Luna and I were neighbors. Close neighbors. Her family moved abroad years ago, and I haven't seen her since. I thought I was dreaming, that's why I said those things."

His voice was soft, pleading.

"You know I love you, Sera. Only you."

I nodded. I didn't have the energy to point out how thin his lie was. He had never mentioned Luna before. Not once in three years.

When I didn't respond, he grew more anxious.

"Are you still upset? It's all in the past. We're getting engaged soon."

He tried to smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I don't have much at the office today. Let's go pick out your wedding dress. I picked one out for you already. You'll try it on. It'll be perfect."

I looked at his smiling face.

For the first time in three years, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Felix," I said flatly. "The dress you picked out. Is it for me? Or for Luna?"

His face went white. The blood drained so fast I thought he might faint.

He knew. I had heard everything.

He stepped forward to explain, but his phone rang. He meant to ignore it. Then he saw the name on the screen.

Luna.

I laughed bitterly. The sound surprised even me. I reached over and swiped the call open for him.

A bright, girlish voice came through the speaker.

"Felix, it's me. Luna."

"I just got back. I don't feel well. Can you come pick me up at the airport?"