Chapter 2 Pushed Into the Deep

The cold night wind cut across my face, but it did nothing to ease the suffocating ache in my chest.

I stood by the pool, staring at my disheveled reflection in the water. In the end, my tears still slipped down despite myself.

Behind me, the sharp click of high heels approached, growing closer and closer.

"Drop the act, Ellwood." The gentle composure on Luna's face had vanished, replaced entirely by naked mockery.

I wiped my tears dry and looked at her coldly. "What do you want?"

"To remind you." She lifted her chin slightly, her voice full of arrogance. "Stop deluding yourself. I'm the one Levi loves now. I'm his fiancee, the future Mrs. Coleman."

"You think I still care?" I let out a cold laugh.

"That's none of my business. I'm just warning you—stay away from him. If you dare keep clinging to him or stand in front of him again, I'll make you leave the circle, one way or another."

"You?" I scoffed.

"Me." She placed one hand over her still-flat stomach, her face full of smug triumph. "And the Coleman family's eldest grandson in my belly. That enough for you?"

So that was it.

"Stella, your father's company, everything you had, all of it belongs to us now. You have nothing left to fight me with." The more she spoke, the more worked up she became. Then, without warning, she suddenly shoved me.

I had been on guard and stepped aside just in time. But Luna had lunged too hard. With a sharp scream, she toppled backward toward the pool.

But in the split second before she fell in, she grabbed my hand tightly and dragged me down with her.

The icy water swallowed me whole, biting cold wrapping around my body instantly. I struggled to the surface, but Luna clung to me like a drowning ghost, pushing me down even as she cried out in shrill panic, "Help… help!"

I choked on several mouthfuls of water, my lungs burning.

The commotion drew the attention of the people inside the banquet hall, and they rushed out one after another.

When Levi saw us in the water, he panicked at once. "Luna!"

Without the slightest hesitation, he dove straight into the pool. He swam directly toward Luna and pulled her into his arms. "Luna? Luna, are you okay?"

Luna coughed weakly, leaning against his chest as if she had no strength left. "Levi… I was so scared… Ms. Ellwood said that if I dared marry you, she would make sure the baby and I wouldn't be safe. And then… then she pushed me in…"

Levi carried her out of the pool, his gaze turning icy as it landed on me. "Stella, have you lost your mind?"

I clung to the edge of the pool, drenched from head to toe. Water dripped from my hair, blurring my vision.

I stared straight at him and asked, word by word, "Levi, you believe her?"

"That's enough!" he snapped sharply, cutting me off. "I thought you were just sharp-tongued. I didn't expect you to be vicious too. The Wyllow family helped me through my hardest time. Luna is my savior and my fiancee. How dare you hurt her?"

Around us, the guests began pointing and whispering.

"Isn't she an Ellwood? How could she be so cruel?"

"You really can't judge a person by appearances. Her family's fallen, and now she can't stand to see others doing well, so she pushes someone into the water."

"Mr. Coleman really has terrible luck, getting tangled up with a woman like that."

Luna leaned weakly against Levi's chest, but as she looked at me, a smug smile flickered across her face.

Levi removed his suit jacket and wrapped it tightly around her before lifting her into his arms. "Guards, see her to the door! Don't let her ruin everyone's evening!"

The bodyguards immediately seized my arms on either side and dragged me toward the exit.

As I was pulled past him, Levi suddenly leaned down and murmured in my ear, "Stella, swallowing your family's business was the most important step in my business plan. I had to do it. I know you feel wronged."

Then, his tone softened, almost coaxing. "Once I've dealt with the Wyllows, I'll make it up to you. Just be good and wait for me."

Make it up to me? Wait for him? I let out a laugh, furious to the point of disbelief. "Coleman, are you suggesting I be your mistress in the shadows?"

His expression turned ashen at once, anger flashing in his eyes at being exposed.

"Stella!" he ground out through clenched teeth. But in the end, he restrained himself, probably mindful of Luna in his arms. "Looks like you need time to cool your head. Go home and think about your behavior."

I did not struggle again. I let the bodyguards drag me out of the banquet.

Watching my compliance, Levi seemed to think I would still be like I was five years ago.

Submissive. Obedient. Waiting for him without question.