Her Destruction

He left. He actually left.

Luna couldn’t believe it. She kept staring at the door, expecting Aiden to come back, but more than five minutes passed and he didn’t return.

“Uhm…I’ll convince him to stay in Lukewood for a while. There’s still much to do,” Raymond told his wife before he hurried after Aiden.

Cecile stood and approached her daughter’s bed. Calla couldn’t breathe without the tubes, and the doctor had already told them she wouldn’t make it; she was barely clinging to life with support.

Cecile stroked her daughter’s hair, tears trembling on her lips. “I’m sorry, baby,” she whispered. What kind of mother was she if she couldn’t even protect her eighteen-year-old daughter?

“What happened to her?” Luna couldn’t ignore the woman’s pain; all she could do was try to comfort her.

“She was driving down the private road when her brakes failed. She called her dad in tears, but before we could find a solution, a heavy truck barreled toward her, crushing her car… The truck just climbed…” Cecile choked on her tears, covering her mouth to stifle her sobs. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, wiping her face.

“Your relatives did this to her?”

Cecile nodded. After the accident, they reached out to the head of the nation’s top security institution—Aiden Orion—and asked him to help protect Calla in the hospital. He also helped them find proof the accident was planned.

But there was no evidence to connect the incident to their relatives, so they couldn’t bring it to court.

“All because of money…” Luna rubbed her palms roughly. Money made people evil. She was here now because of greed, and Calla—a teenage girl—had ended up like this for the same reason.

What was the world coming to?

“That’s why we need you, child. We can’t let those people win and celebrate their victory.”

Luna shook her head, denying it. She didn’t want to be Calla Rose. All she wanted was to make her ex-husband and his family bleed.

**

One day passed in a blur. Raymond helped Luna walk around the room. At first it was difficult, but it got easier with time. Cecile coaxed her into eating.

Luna was grateful for their care, and although it had been more than thirty hours since she last saw Aiden, she kept glancing at the door, hoping he wouldn’t just leave her here.

The second day was much like the first, except for a commotion at the ward entrance caused by Calla’s aunties. They wanted to see Calla, but the guards wouldn’t let them in.

“She’s been here for a year and we still can’t see her? What is all this for?” the first aunt, dressed in a long blue gown and heavy makeup, shouted at the top of her voice. She was Old Madam Rose’s only daughter, known for her temper.

Emily shoved one of the guards in anger, but her sister-in-law Amanda held her back. “Don’t hit them. It’s obvious Calla isn’t alive, that’s why they keep us out.”

Emily snorted and whispered, “What good is it to us just knowing she’s dead? Unless we can prove it, we’ll never have access to Mama’s properties.”

Amanda nodded in agreement. Only God knew how many times she’d prayed for Calla to take her final breath. She and her children deserved access to Old Madam Rose’s properties.

She hadn’t married the Rose family’s first son just to end up with empty pockets.

“I can’t believe they’re keeping us out. Cecile has some nerve,” Amanda scoffed, pacing the corridor with a deep frown.

“Raymond!” Emily screamed her younger brother’s name. “Come out here and tell us why we can’t see Calla! She’s family and we have every right to see her. If she’s dead, tell us so we can mourn her!”

Meanwhile, Luna sat on the bed, listening to their shouts. She couldn’t believe they’d already concluded Calla was dead. She glanced at the girl lying next to her.

Her fists clenched. She was just a kid. How could her own family have done this to her?

On the third day, Luna was strong enough to bathe and walk around the room. She still wasn’t allowed to leave the ward. She stood before the mirror, brushing her hair.

She remembered how, in the past, her hair had been curly and hard to manage, but her mother always told her to love her features and never try to straighten it.

Now, though, she had long, smooth, soft brown hair—the comb glided through it easily.

Her pointed nose, large doll-like blue eyes—they made her smile, though she felt like a thief occupying another’s face.

“I want my face back,” she sighed, pushing the bathroom door open and returning to the ward.

Her eyes brightened and a smile curved her lips.

He was there, leaning in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.

“Aidie,” she called, strolling over to close the distance between them.

“Did you finally make your decision?” Aiden asked bluntly—no greeting, no small talk.

Luna stopped before him, tilting her head for a better look. “Why are you so cold to me?” She’d searched her memories, wondering if she’d ever offended him, but found nothing. If anything, he was the one who’d wronged her.

But that was the past. She didn’t want to dwell on it, and hoped he felt the same.

“This is how I am when I’m not trying to claim you,” he replied, straight and emotionless.

Not letting her process his words, he walked past her, putting distance between them. “We’ve dragged this out long enough. It’s time for Calla to be discharged—and by Calla, I mean you.”

Luna didn’t answer. She didn’t turn back to look at him.

“I heard you’re returning to Ashwood,” Luna said—more a statement than a question. She turned to meet his gaze. “Take me with you. Let’s get the justice our parents deserve.”

She didn’t want to stay in Lukewood, far from those who’d hurt her. She wanted to be in Ashwood, in their shadows, making them doubt the air they breathed.

“Maybe you didn’t understand me—Miss Rose.” Aiden pulled his right hand from his pocket and inspected his nails. “To the world, Paul Orion died three months ago. But to me, he died four years ago.”

Luna’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could he say that about his father—the only parent who’d stood by him when his mother chose divorce and drugs?

“How about me? When did I die?”

Aiden had a perfect answer burning on his lips: You shattered me and treated me like a stepping stone to success. I didn’t die, you killed me. But he refrained. Emotions weren’t his forte.

He smiled softly—and Luna frowned, she knew this smile so well, it was the same farewell smile her dad had given her before his last breath.

“Study. Struggle to stay alive. Live life to the fullest. That should be your plan.”

Luna pressed her thumbs together. Those were the things she wasn’t supposed to be doing.

“What about you? What’s your plan?”

Aiden didn’t even hesitate. “To claim my inheritance. What else?” He wasn’t going to let Luna’s ex-husband take what belonged to him.

The Orion assets were his. He didn’t need them, but it wouldn’t hurt to snatch them away and burn them for fun, right?

A flicker of hope flashed in Luna’s eyes. “So you want justice for your dad?” If he wanted his inheritance, he’d have to go against those who killed their parents and stole what wasn’t theirs.

“No, no.” Aiden shook his finger, his tone firm and low. “I simply want what’s mine.”

Luna studied him for a moment, took a step forward, and extended her hand—again. “Take me with you. I’ll help you take everything back.”

Aiden chuckled and matched her energy, stepping closer—not enough to touch her, but close enough to breathe in her scent. “Lukewood is your new home. Stay here.” He walked to the door, then paused, a smirk appearing on his lips.

“Fine. I’ll take you along.”

Luna’s eyes lit up—she knew he’d understand.

“But with which identity?” he questioned. Her brows knitted. She couldn’t say ‘sister’—she was living as Calla, and it was clear no one intended to give her old face back.

“Wife?” he mused aloud, his suggestion making her eyes widen. That was absurd.

“That’s the only identity I can grant you. So, will you come along—as my wife?”

Luna’s fists clenched at her sides. She fought the urge to lash out. “We’re siblings, Aidie,” she reminded him. Just because she wore Calla’s face didn’t change the truth.

He was her stepbrother. That meant family.

Aiden growled. “Same excuse, huh?” He clenched his fist. “This is me giving you a way out. Stay here in Lukewood and you’re safe. But if you ever return to Ashwood…” A devilish grin appeared. “Then you are MINE. Your opinion won’t matter.”

“Aidie…”

“You know I don’t joke with words, Missy. So be careful with your decisions.”

Luna couldn’t keep up with his meaning. What did he mean, if she ever came to Ashwood, she was his? His, in what way?

But she knew he was deadly serious. He would be her destruction—and she knew it all too well.