Chapter 6

Eyra’s POV

He’s asking to meet? Didn’t I already tell him I need a month? Why did he seem to be forcing and forgetting our original agreement?

“I think according to our agreement, we'd only meet after my divorce was finalized,” I said.

He leaned back slightly, his gaze never leaving mine.

“I offered the same thing a few years ago. I'm not willing to take that risk again."

“I can assure you that once everything is finalized, there won’t be any problems, Mr. Wynter.”

“But I still need a guarantee. I don’t want my wait to end in vain,” he replied.

I was silent for a moment before mustering the courage to ask, “What guarantee do you want so you’ll stop doubting my character?”

“Well, it’s not your character I doubt. It’s your heart.”

“I understand what you mean. But that's not the case. Just tell me what's the condition.”

He gave a wry laugh before answering, barely audible. “The Luminous Hotel, at lunchtime. You'll know,” he finally said without hesitation.

This time, I was the one who laughed. “Are you trying to buy me off?”

“Just to be on the safe side. Consider it my insurance.”

“All right. The Luminous Hotel, at noon. I’ll be there.”

Call ended. I gathered up the scattered items and stowed them in the storage closet under the stairs. Just in case the time came, I wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of bringing them down from the attic, which would surely attract attention or cause a commotion.

My steps halted as I was about to climb the stairs. There was a large mirror facing the stairs, and I caught a glimpse of my reflection there.

I’m not that bad—just like back then, when I finally decided to walk away from the world that made me famous, and disappear. There were too many reasons and circumstances behind my actions, but if I wanted to return to that same position, it probably might be hard.

Realizing my daydream had gone too far, I shook my head. No matter how beautiful or good I am, if I’m still under the same roof as Elara, nothing will go well. Staying hidden in the shadows is the best thing I can do for now.

I went up to the attic just to change clothes, then came out wearing a hooded coat that I put on right away.

Dave’s condition was clear: I mustn’t cause any trouble if I wanted our divorce proceedings to be finalized quickly. But this was important to me. So, reluctantly, I had to break one of his rules—with great care, of course.

The taxi pulled up in front of the Luminous Hotel lobby and I hurried inside. After passing through the lobby entrance, I texted Mr. Wynter again.

[I’ve arrived], I said. However, there was no reply from him.

I wonder what that man is thinking. He might be waiting for me in one of the rooms he booked and will ask me to come there to meet him, and then...

“Selene Noir?” A voice made me freeze, but I didn’t have the courage to turn around. How could she recognize me? “That’s right, you’re Selene Noir.”

“Who… are you?” I quickly glanced around to make sure no one else was paying attention to us.

A smile spread across her face, and her body swayed as if she couldn’t wait to rush toward me. I had no idea who this woman was.

“I’m a waitress here and one of your fans. I’m so happy to see you after you’ve been gone for so long. I thought something had happened to you,” she said.

“I...” Before I could finish speaking, she interrupted me.

“I received a reservation in your name and when I saw you from a distance, I recognized you right away. Come, Miss Noir. I’ll show you to your table,” she said.

“A table?” Not a room?

“Yes. A man has reserved a VIP room for you two.”

Thank Goddess, he didn’t take me to a hotel room.

“May I ask why you decided to disappear from the modeling world? I really regret it. You were shining so brightly, and nothing has been the same without you,” the waitress said as she led me toward the VIP room.

I remained silent. My steps came to a halt when she opened the door.

“Please come in, Miss Noir. He’s been waiting for you,” she finally said. Without another word about my past, she quietly excused herself.

Instantly, my gaze fell on the imposing figure sitting with his back to me. He hadn’t replied to my message, even though he was already here and seemed to have been waiting for quite some time.

He stood up and turned around, seemed to recognize the sound of my footsteps. My blood rushed to my face, and my heart seemed to stop beating for a moment when I came face to face with him.

He gave me a faint, not-so-friendly smile. I didn’t return it, but simply walked toward him.

“Mr. Wynter?” I said, though it sounded more like a question to reassure myself.

"Ms. Noir," he replied calmly but coldly.

In truth, we’d never actually met before. This was our first time, and my impression of him wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined.

He didn’t seem to have any ill intentions. Maybe I was just being too suspicious.

Without saying much, he gestured for me to sit down by pulling out the chair for me. He didn’t say much, except after our food arrived.

“This is our first time meeting—why in a public place?” I asked. “I’m not used to being around crowds.”

He had been cutting the meat in front of him but paused and looked at me.

“So where do you want us to meet? In a hotel room?” he asked calmly. It didn’t seem like he was teasing me, but the question still threw me off.

“I... just hope you understand my situation right now,” I said.

He fell silent for a moment before continuing. “Sooner or later you’ll be gone. Why dwell on a situation that’s already fallen apart?” Then slid the plate of sliced meat toward me, swapping it for mine.

“Anyway, there’s one matter I can’t wait to discuss with you,” he said then. His gaze was fixed on me—serious and attentive, as if waiting for my reaction.

“Is this about my request?” I asked.

He didn't answer immediately. He paused for a moment, set his cutlery on the table, wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, then looked at me for a long moment.

“It’s about you.” He held my gaze. “Shine again, Selene. Let me help you find your way back to the stage where you belong.”

I was speechless for a long moment after hearing his words. It took me a moment before I finally responded.

“I hope you understand the pack’s rules, Mr. Wynter. Just two more weeks and I’ll be free. Avoiding trouble is the best thing I can do. So, this offer of yours...”

“I understand. I’m just laying out the possibilities for you. For so long, you’ve buried your talent and your reputation, disappearing without anyone knowing why—even if you say it’s all because you married an alpha and had to focus your attention on the pack as a luna, it’s not that easy to make everyone believe it. We both know the truth.”

“Yeah, but...” I didn’t continue my objection. This man seemed to know exactly where my weakness lay.

Mr. Wynter looked at me for a brief moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

He didn't say another word. Ironically, he was offering me a way back to my dreams—something Dave had never once given me during our three years of marriage. Unfortunately, our "business" meeting ended without him getting the answer he wanted. Still, he didn't press the issue.

“I’ll drive you home,” he said as I stood up from my chair.

I hesitantly answered, “That’s not necessary, Mr. Wynter. If anyone finds out, they’ll think badly of me, and that will derail our plans.”

He was silent for a moment before nodding. “All right. I'll walk you to the lobby, then.”

I was about to refuse, but it seemed like he was going to insist. So I let him walk alongside me, and when we reached the lobby, he reminded me of his offer.

"Think about it," he said as he reached for the taxi door, when a voice like a clap of thunder called my name.

“Eyra!”

Mr. Wynter and I turned at the same time and saw Dave striding toward us. As soon as he stopped in front of me, he glared at me.

“What are you doing here? You’ve disobeyed my orders.”

“I...” I couldn't finish my sentence. All kinds of worst-case scenarios flooded my mind.

“No need to yell, sir. She’s with me.” Mr. Wynter interrupted, causing Dave’s gaze to shift to him.

“I have no business with you. This is between me and my wife,” Dave said.

Mr. Wynter snorted. A wry smile played on his lips. “Wife? Aren’t you two about to get divorced? That means you no longer have the right to tell her where to go.”

“I’m warning you—”

“Dave, please. Why are you here? You’d better go home.”

“I’ll go home, but with you.” He quickly seized my wrist and yanked me toward him, that I nearly stumbled.

An arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me from falling to the ground. As Dave pulled me again, Mr. Wynter stepped forward and caught his wrist with his piercing gaze fixed on him.

“Don’t force her.”

Dave returned Mr. Wynter’s gaze with eyes flashing with rage. The two of them looked like wolves ready to tear each other apart over the same prey.

“You’re coming with me, Eyra,” he commanded, as if Mr. Wynter wasn’t even there.

Hearing Dave's words, Mr. Wynter gave a cold smirk. “Let’s ask her.”

Dave turned and glared at me as if trying to intimidate me before finally asking, “Who do you choose, Eyra? Me or this stranger?”