Good At Everything

A week had passed since Calla took her last breath. The ward felt emptier now, just one bed instead of two.

Luna spent her days learning about Calla’s life online and making sure she knew her relatives. Raymond told her she didn’t need to study so hard—everyone believed Calla had lost her memory after the accident—but Luna didn’t want to risk being unprepared.

Today was her last day at the hospital. Raymond had pleaded with Aiden to wait until Luna was safely back at the Rose mansion before leaving for Ashwood, and Aiden had agreed.

“How many men are stationed at the Rose mansion?” Aiden asked his assistant, Alphonse, as they walked down the hospital corridor toward Luna’s room.

“Thirty, all in the shadows,” Alphonse replied, scrolling through his phone. He adjusted his glasses and glanced at Aiden. “The flight leaves in two hours.”

Aiden nodded. Once Luna was settled at the Rose mansion, he’d be gone.

“Boss, everyone at the institution is sad about your departure,” Alphonse said quietly.

Aiden smirked. “Then let them get on a plane and follow me.” His voice was flat, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

As they approached the ward, they found the entrance crowded. Calla’s aunt Emily and uncle Damien were there, arguing with the guards.

“Let us through! We want to see our niece!” Emily’s voice was sharp, her face red with anger. She glared at the guards, who stood firm.

Damien jabbed a finger at one of them. “Do you know you can be sued for this? Don’t ruin your future, child.” He spotted Aiden and straightened his suit, his frown deepening.

Damien, Old Madam Rose’s first son, had always expected everything would be his, but their mother had left it all to Calla. He strode toward Aiden, his steps stiff with frustration.

“Don’t you think your men are overdoing it? It’s been a year. We still can’t see Calla?” Damien’s voice was tight and tired.

Aiden shrugged and turned to leave, but Damien blocked his path. “Don’t make enemies, child.”

Aiden gave a small, cold laugh. “Alphonse, who is our employer?”

Alphonse checked his iPad, then looked up. “Raymond Rose, sir.”

“And what did he tell us to do?”

“Not to let anyone into Calla’s ward. Not even their relatives.”

Damien’s jaw clenched. He nodded stiffly and stepped aside. “Fine. But is she really being discharged today?”

“Yes,” Aiden said.

He walked past Damien, pausing when he noticed Emily had taken off a heel, gripping it in her hand like she might throw it.

“Think twice before you act, Miss Rose,” Aiden warned, his voice low. He didn’t care about her temper. If she hurt one of his men with that heel, he wouldn’t forgive her.

Emily rolled her eyes, slipped her shoe back on, and stomped away with her brother.

At the entrance, three men straightened as Aiden approached. Their faces were hard, but he could see sadness in their eyes.

“You all worked hard. After this, go back to the headquarter and collect your bonus,” he said.

Their eyes lit up. “Thank you, boss.”

Aiden nodded and entered the ward.

Inside, the air was heavy with silence. Luna sat on the edge of the bed in a yellow dress that seemed to catch the sunlight. Cecile stood behind her, gently brushing Luna’s long brown hair. Every stroke was slow and careful, as if Cecile was afraid Luna might fall apart.

Aiden stopped, his gaze lingering on Luna. He remembered her hair wild and curly, bouncing with every step. Their eyes met for a brief moment—hers cold and distant—before she looked away. A dull ache settled in his chest, but he knew he deserved it.

“Aiden.” Cecile set the brush into Luna’s suitcase and came over, her smile lined with worry. “Did you bring the devices?” It was time to test Calla’s phone, newly repaired.

“Alphonse,” Aiden called, walking to the couch in Luna's view, sat down and placed his hand behind his head. He watched her, but she kept her eyes on the floor, anywhere but him.

Alphonse handed Luna a phone with a pink case. “Please try to unlock it.”

“Hmm?” Luna looked up, startled. She’d been so focused on ignoring Aiden she’d missed the moment.

“Unlock the phone, Miss,” Alphonse repeated, gentle but firm.

Luna nodded, took the phone, and held it to her face. The phone unlocked at once.

“She’s ready,” Alphonse announced.

“Then we’re leaving the hospital, Miss Rose,” Aiden said, standing and picking up her suitcase.

Luna let out a short, dry laugh. “Miss Rose,” she repeated softly, almost to herself. She couldn’t believe how easily Aiden had started erasing Luna from his life.

“Would you rather I call you Calla instead?” Aiden’s brow lifted, a small, amused smile on his lips. Luna clenched her fists, stood, and walked over to him.

“We’ve known each other for years, Aidie,” she said, her voice trembling a little. Pain flickered in her eyes—not just from losing her old life, but from his coldness. “We’re supposed to be in this together. Why do you want me to let go of Luna?”

Aiden’s lips twitched. “Yeah? Then tell me, Miss Rose, if none of this had ever happened, would you have ever wondered where I spent my nights after leaving the mansion?” He tried to sound light, but his shoulders sagged as he ruffled his hair. He pushed the suitcase toward Alphonse. “Get the car ready.”

Alphonse hesitated, glancing between them, then nodded and rolled the suitcase out.

Sensing the tension, Cecile clung to Luna and gently smoothed her hair. Her hands trembled, but she stayed close, as if her presence could shield Luna from the world outside.

Aiden looked at Cecile and let out a small, humorless chuckle. “Let’s get going.” He didn’t want to argue with either of them, so he turned to leave.

“I…I am sorry,” Luna said suddenly.

Aiden’s steps halted. For a moment, he remembered three years ago, when he’d felt his world closing in and all she’d said was “I’m sorry,” even though she could have fixed everything.

Well, it’s not like she ever cared.

Without turning back, he walked out of the ward. Luna felt her heart ache as she watched him disappear.

“Are you okay?” Cecile cupped Luna’s cheeks and smiled gently. Luna stared at her for a long moment, then nodded.

“Uhm…I am 23 years old and Calla is just 18. Won’t that be a problem?” Luna looked down at herself. She had Luna’s face and features, but the body was still hers. It wouldn’t be easy to fool everyone.

Cecile chuckled. “Calla even had more flesh than you. Don’t worry, dear. You’re just perfect.”

Luna nodded in relief, and together they walked out of the ward. Luna’s eyes darted around, sizing up her surrounding. Today she would meet her first batch of prey—prey, because she was going to be their worst predator.

When they reached the hospital entrance, bright flashes blinded Luna. Journalists crowded the doorway.

“It’s really Calla Rose!”

“How she survived such an accident is still a mystery.”

“She looks like she just walked out of a spa, glowing and very much alive.”

The journalists were too busy gossiping to ask questions, which let Luna slip into the car with a sigh of relief. Aiden sat in the passenger seat, busy on his phone with Alphonse behind the wheel. Luna squeezed in with Cecile and the car took off, several others following behind in a convoy.

“Do you remember the house structure?” Cecile asked, handing her a bottle of water. She’d spent the last week explaining every detail of the Rose family and their home.

Luna nodded. “The main building belongs to old woman Rose,” she recited. “Then there are two buildings to the left—the first is Emily Rose’s, with her two kids, and the second is ours.”

Cecile smiled, proud. “There’s also one building to the right, Damien Rose’s. He lives there with his wife and two kids.”

“Great.” Cecile helped Luna take a sip of water, then glanced out the window. To the world, Calla had lost her memories and that was a great advantage for Luna, she could use that against her preys.

After a pause, Cecile tried to lighten the mood. “Tell me, child. What are your hobbies? What are you good at?”

Aiden snorted, making Cecile frown. “Do you have something to say, Aiden?”

“She’s good at everything. After all…she’s Aliyah’s daughter.”