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Semua Bab Even the Moon Can’t Mend Betrayal: Bab 1 - Bab 9

9 Bab

Chapter 1

"Emma, I know this is a difficult pill to swallow, but Isabella is in desperate need of help."Marcus sat in the sprawling living room of the pack house, his voice laced with a weariness I’d never heard before.I set my research papers down and studied the face of the Alpha I had loved for five years."Give her my research," I repeated, the words tasting like ash. "The ‘Moonlight Therapy’?""So she can publish it as her own." Marcus refused to meet my gaze. "She has Bloodline Decay Syndrome. This is her dying wish, Emma. Her only chance at leaving a legacy."His words were a dagger twisting in my heart."My presentation is next month," I stated, my voice dangerously level."I know, Emma. But if it wasn’t for Isabella six years ago, I’d have been torn apart by a gang of rogues. I owe her my life."Marcus finally looked up, his eyes pleading with me on behalf of another female."And what about me?" My voice began to tremble despite my efforts. "What about the five years of my life I pour

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Chapter 2

The next day, I was scrolling through my phone when I came across Isabella’s Instagram.Her latest post was a photo of her and Marcus in the medical lab, their heads bent together as they studied a computer screen, engrossed in conversation.Beneath the picture, Isabella had written: "Exploring the clinical applications of Moonlight Therapy with Marcus. This revolutionary research is going to change the future of lycan medicine! Thank you to my brilliant research partner for his unwavering support. #MoonlightTherapy #LunaMedicalAwardHereICome"My finger hovered stiffly over the screen. The comments were flooded with congratulations from experts and academics across the lycan medical community, all praising the "breakthrough achievement."I switched over to WolfMedNet, the premier lycan medical forum. The top post was an announcement for Isabella’s upcoming interview with Lycan Medical Weekly. The journalist's intro read: "This groundbreaking Moonlight Therapy is set to revolutionize ly

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Chapter 3

Three days before the presentation, a message from Isabella appeared on my phone, inviting me to lunch."Emma, I want to thank you in person for your support. Without your understanding, I never would have had this opportunity."I agreed, morbidly curious to see what game she was playing.At the restaurant, Isabella was radiant in a white dress, her eyes gleaming with triumph. Marcus was already there, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes when he saw me."Emma, you made it!" Isabella said, rising as if to embrace me.I offered a polite nod and sat, ignoring her effusive display."Marcus and I were just discussing the criteria for the Luna Medical Award," Isabella said, settling back into her seat and leaning deliberately closer to him. "He was saying the committee values clinical application and theoretical innovation above all else."Marcus chimed in, "Moonlight Therapy has breakthroughs in both areas. Dr. Harrison from the committee even called yesterday to ask for the exact

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Chapter 4

Isabella clutched her arm, her face a mask of pain. "Marcus, my right wrist really hurts. What if this affects my work on the speech tonight? The application deadline for the Luna Award is the day of the presentation. If I'm injured...""Don't worry, I'll take you to the hospital right now," Marcus said, helping Isabella up without a single glance in my direction.They rushed off, leaving me alone with the scattered books and the lingering stares of the onlookers.I knelt to pick up the books, each leather-bound volume feeling like a monument to the love I once had for Marcus.Marcus, anyone who actually respects research wouldn’t leave books scattered all over the floor. When the truth is finally revealed, will you still rush to her defense? Will you… regret this? The way you treated me today?At ten that night, Marcus finally came home. He looked exhausted as he sank onto the sofa, rubbing his temples."Isabella's fine, just a minor sprain," he said, his voice laced with guilt. "Emma

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Chapter 5

Marcus was standing on the manicured lawn of the Moonlight Hotel when the call from his Beta came through."What do you mean, you can't find her?"The Beta’s voice was a nervous stammer on the other end of the line. "Alpha, we can't track Emma's scent anywhere near the pack house. She… she appears to have been gone for some time."Marcus slammed his phone into his pocket and sprinted to the parking lot. He floored the gas, the engine roaring as he tore down the road.Twenty minutes later, he burst through the doors of the pack house.The suit he’d laid out for the ceremony was still hanging on its rack, completely untouched. The trace of Emma’s scent in the house was faint, almost ethereal."No… no, Emma, don't pull a cruel joke like this."His eyes caught a flicker of movement in the fireplace. He strode over.It was the photo of them from their first anniversary.The picture had been turned to ash, only the scorched, twisted edges of the frame remaining.On the coffee table, the cale

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Chapter 6

A long, heavy silence stretched over the phone line.Marcus sat frozen in his car, the phone nearly slipping from his numb fingers. For six years, he had worshipped the wrong savior."You're lying," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Isabella was with me. She was injured…""She was only injured because a rogue shoved her aside!" Lily yelled. "Emma was the one who fought them off to save you. By the time Isabella stumbled onto the scene, Emma was unconscious, and you were critically wounded. So she painted herself as the hero!""Why didn't Emma tell me the truth?""Because she loved you!" Lily's voice cracked with emotion. "She saw how grateful you were to Isabella and couldn't bear to shatter that belief. That's just who Emma is. She always puts everyone else first."Marcus hung up and slumped back in the driver's seat.It was Emma who had risked her life for him. And he… he had destroyed the one person who had ever truly loved him, all for a liar.Just as Marcus was about to mobilize

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Chapter 7

Two years later. New York City.The day Ethan and I returned from Boston, the werewolf medical community threw a grand welcome reception in our honor.The grand ballroom of the Hotel Plaza was glittering, filled with New York's most esteemed lycan medical experts.I walked into the hall on Ethan's arm, feeling a sense of accomplishment I hadn't allowed myself in years."Everyone, I'd like to make an announcement," Dr. Harrison said from the stage, raising his glass. "Not only is Dr. Emma Sterling about to release a more advanced and effective version of Moonlight Therapy, but she's also brought back some other wonderful news."He smiled warmly at us. "Dr. Ethan Cole has been Emma's dedicated research partner, and the two are soon to hold their mating ceremony. Let's congratulate this academic power couple!"Thunderous applause filled the room. I felt Ethan gently squeeze my hand, a current of warmth and security flooding through me.In the hallway just outside the ballroom, Marcus, who

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Chapter 8

"Emma, at the time, I was just trying to—""Trying to what? Repay a debt?" I laughed, a cold, sharp sound. "You should know by now, I was the one who saved you, not her."The color drained from Marcus's face as he remained kneeling on the floor.I stood up, looking down at him. "You thought Moonlight Therapy was just one of my little projects, something disposable. You assumed that because I loved you, I should be willing to give it away.""But I wasn't willing, Marcus. And I will never again love an Alpha who sees me as an afterthought."He had no words, no defense."You don't love me, Marcus," I said, picking up my purse from the table. "You just can't stand being the one who was abandoned. I'm on my way to pick up my engagement ring. Don't follow me."I walked out of the house into the cool night air and followed the familiar street toward the jeweler's.As I rounded a darkened corner, three shadowy figures stepped out from an alley, blocking my path."Dr. Emma?" the man in the lead

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Chapter 9

The next afternoon, Ethan pushed open the door to the hospital room.Marcus was lying in bed, his face still pale, but his eyes were clear.The two men looked at each other, a subtle, unspoken tension crackling in the air.Like an investigator conducting a final interview, Marcus posed a series of questions to Ethan, who answered each one calmly and directly.Finally, Marcus asked the only question that truly mattered. "Do you love Emma?""I do," Ethan answered without a flicker of hesitation. "I don't just love her—I respect her. I admire her brilliance, and I support every decision she makes. And I would never, ever let someone else take credit for her work."That last sentence was a blade, twisting deep in Marcus's heart."Good," Marcus said, a sense of finality in his voice as he closed his eyes. "Emma deserves a love like that.""Marcus, I think you should know, Emma has completely moved on," Ethan said, his tone gentle but firm. "She's happy now.""I know," Marcus said with a sad

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