Felix stood in the middle of the bustling airport terminal, watching as people hurried by with their luggage, each one with someplace to be. The whole world felt like it was spinning, endlessly, leaving him disoriented. A chill ran down his spine, even though he felt like he was burning up inside. He wanted to move, to chase after them, but his feet felt rooted to the spot, lost.Then, just at the edge of his vision, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure holding a little girlâs hand, slipping through the security checkpoint.âLuna! Lily!â he shouted, sprinting towards them.A security guard in uniform stepped in front of him, saying politely, âSir, Iâm going to need to see your boarding pass and ID.ââMove!â Felix snarled, swatting the manâs arm aside as he tried to push his way through.Two more guards quickly blocked his path, their expressions firm. âIâm sorry, sir, but by regulation, we need to see your boarding pass,â one of them said, resolute.Felix pointed toward the
Felix watched, dazed, as Luna and Lilyâs figures grew smaller in the distance. He heard footsteps behind him and turned, holding out his hands with a cold, steely expression. âLetâs go.âThe guard hesitated as he brought out the handcuffs. Just as he was about to lock them around Felixâs wrists, he asked casually, âMr. Lincoln, that woman who came to visit you, sheâs the new CEO of Lincoln Corporation, right? I heard sheâs planning to leave the country with her kids. Was this visit just to hand over the reins? Will you be resuming your role as CEO once youâre out?âWhat? Lunaâs leaving with the kids?Felixâs head snapped up, his jaw tightening, and a vein throbbed on his forehead. Grabbing the guard by the collar, he demanded, âWhere did you hear that?âThe guard trembled, visibly shaken. He had expected this kind of reaction. Felixâs icy stare and whole demeanor practically screamed stay away. All he wanted was to turn around and make a run for it.But he couldnât. Fate had pic
Seeing the sincerity in Felixâs eyes made Lunaâs heart tighten. She pressed her lips together and nodded firmly.A weight seemed to lift from Felixâs chest. He reached out, covering Lilyâs eyes with his hand as he leaned in, his lips brushing against Lunaâs. That familiar blend of tobacco and cologne filled her senses, and her eyes stung with tears.She pressed a hand to her nose, her voice soft. âFelix, come back soon. Letâs leave the past behind us. After this, itâll be you, me, and the kids together, as a family. Okay?âFelixâs expression faltered.Lily wrapped her little arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, âDaddy, I donât care if itâs tough. I just want to be with you.âIn the stroller, James stretched out his tiny hands, laughing. Felix reached for him, but his hands slipped through the air. James began to fuss, his cries growing louder, and Felix jolted awake, realizing it had only been a dream.Now here was Luna, offering a future together: âLetâs put everything
Lily leaned against the car window. Her face was full of excitement as she watched the scenery zip by. But as the landscape grew more and more desolate, she grew bored. Grabbing her doll, she hugged it close and turned to Luna. âMom, where are we going?âLuna glanced over, noticing Lily's rosy cheeks and big, inquisitive eyes that reminded her so much of Felix. âWeâre going to see your dad,â she replied with a smile, though her fingers tightened around the strap of her purse.Lily stopped fiddling with her doll, her brow furrowing as she thought for a moment. âBut, Mom, didnât you say Dad was far away? And that James and I had to grow up first?âLunaâs mind drifted back to when theyâd first left for another country. Lily had asked, âWhen will I see Dad again?â Luna had stroked Lilyâs hair, finally saying, âDadâs far away. When you and James grow up, youâll see him.ââMom!â Lily tugged on Lunaâs shoulder, jolting her back to the present. Luna smiled softly, reassuring her, âArenât
In the brightly lit private dining room 1608 at the Century Glimmer Hotel, Luna took a deep breath, then raised her glass with a smile as she addressed the man at the head of the table. âCommissioner Griffin, a toast to you!âShe downed her glass in one go. Deputy Commissioner of Corrections Mark Griffin raised his own, chuckling. âMiss Emily, weâre not strangers. If youâve got something on your mind, just say it. Iâll help if I can.âThe implication was clear. If he couldnât do it, she shouldnât bother asking. Silently cursing him as an âold fox,â Luna kept her smile as she continued, âItâs really not a big deal. Just a small favor, something that should be easy enough for someone like you.âSeeing his expectant look, she went on, âHereâs the thing. I have a friend in prison, but it wasnât really his fault. If I wanted to get him out, what would I need to do?âShe slid an envelope across the table. Commissioner Griffinâs eyes flickered as he glanced at it, swirling his glass with
âIs Boss crying?â Mr. Zimmer thought to himself.He was stunned. To him, Luna had always been the symbol of strength, resilient and unbreakable. Yet, here she was, tears streaming down her face. âBoss, I didnât mean it. Maybe itâs not true. Yeah, it could all just be a trick!â he stammered. Seeing Lunaâs tear-streaked face, Mr. Zimmer was completely at a loss as sweat beaded along his forehead. What was Felix up to? How could someone as tough as her end up breaking down over just one comment from Mr. Zimmer?Wiping the sweat from his brows, he thought, âIf the others find out I made Boss cry, theyâll tear me apart.ââItâs not fake. I know why he did itâŠâ Lunaâs voice faded as she broke down. Her uncontrollable sobs were tangled with a mix of regret, anger, and frustration.Mr. Zimmer stood there, helpless, pacing back and forth until her sobs finally started to subside. Luna wiped her nose, her voice raw and broken. âHe never believed I was dead. He knew I wouldnât just dis
Knock, knockâAt the sound of the door, Luna pressed her fingers to her temples, her pen still moving over the documents in front of her. Mr. Zimmer quickly stepped forward, placing an express package on her desk. âBoss, youâve got an urgent delivery.âAs soon as Luna opened it, her eyes fell on three bold words at the top: *Equity Transfer Agreement.* She quickly pulled out the document, her gaze fixing on the signature at the bottom.Felix Lincoln.That familiar signature, once so strong and powerful, now felt heavy and confining to her. It was almost as if it was pinning her down, immobilizing her like nails in a chair.She glanced down, and the date stopped her cold. It was from a year ago.The document clearly stated that Felix had voluntarily transferred 90% of his shares in the company to her.Mr. Zimmer noticed his bossâs face go pale and hesitantly asked, âBoss, what is it?âTaking a deep breath, Luna replied in a strained voice, âItâs the equity transfer agreement f
Deep inside, a voice kept screaming, âLuna, it's over. Just leave. End it all here and now.â But somehow, her legs felt as if they were weighed down with lead, refusing to move even a single step.âLuna, you know what Iâm talking about.âFelix looked at her, his expression softening as a thought crossed his mind. His eyes took on a pleading tone. âCan you please promise me one thing?âLuna glanced at him, almost amused. The powerful Felix, begging?He reached out as if to touch her, then pulled back, letting his hand drop to his side. His voice was low and steady. âLuna, I know I put you through hell, made you serve time. I owe you for that, and Iâm paying for it. But when Iâm in there, donât marry anyone else. Donât let our kids call another man âDad.â Just wait for me until I come back.âA sharp pang hit her, like acid rising from her stomach to her throat, bringing tears dangerously close. She felt both anger and bitter amusement.They werenât even together anymore. How coul
In the courtroom, the judge struck the gavel solemnly. âThis is session number 101 at Carson City Intermediate Court, Room 3. Both sides may begin their arguments.âThe moment Felix entered the courtroom, he realized just how much he had missed her. His gaze locked onto Luna, as though he wanted to etch every detail of her face into his memory.Sensing his stare, Lunaâs brow furrowed slightly before she cast her eyes down, listening quietly to her lawyerâs impassioned statement.BangâThe gavel fell once again.âDefendant, answer the prosecutorâs question!âFelix hadnât listened to anything being said. It was irrelevant. His eyes stayed on Luna as he spoke, his tone calm. âI plead guilty. I admit to betraying the company and to all charges brought against me. I deserve this.âA wave of shock swept through the room. Faces registered the same emotions: surprise, disbelief, and confusion.This was what he had promised, wasnât it?But as Felix confessed, Luna felt as if she had be