But then you came back. You are one of the missing children, a living proof of shame. No one will like you—not when you were a child, and not now that you’re grown up. Luna, why did you have to come back? Isn't it better to be thought of as dead? At least then someone might remember you. But now, you are just a devious and vicious woman!"

Serena practically screamed her words. She acted so bold because she was afraid—deeply afraid. But if she let her emotions show now, everything she had worked for would be destroyed!

What was the truth back then? No one would care!

They only knew that the most unremarkable Ugly Duckling had died. Even if it was brought up later, they would only say, "Oh, it was just that most insignificant person who died."

But Lily was different. she was a shining star in the orphanage; someone was even preparing to adopt her. If she had died, how could the matter have been so easily settled?

So Serena told a massive lie. Since the ugly doll the girl always carried was on the ground, as long as she said the one who died was the Ugly Duckling, the matter would end quickly. No one would suspect her.

But she never expected that the Ugly Duckling, who was overlooked by everyone, would actually gain Gideon’s attention!

She had felt true terror then, but she had no choice but to grit her teeth and never let the truth slip.

Later, the family adopted her and sent her abroad to study as a form of compensation.

Not long ago, she learned that a woman had appeared out of nowhere, wanting to marry Gideon using Grandpa Arthur’s shares—and that this woman was "Lily," who had gone missing in the accident.

To prevent Gideon from marrying her and to keep the truth from being exposed, her lies went a step further.

She had already sacrificed so much; how could she let everything fail because of someone who had just appeared?

Luna had to die!

...

On the way back, Luna didn't take a taxi. She relied on her own feet. She didn't know how long she walked. A light rain began to fall, which quickly turned into a sudden downpour without any warning.

Pedestrians without umbrellas ran for cover, leaving her alone, walking through the dark curtain of rain like a lost soul.

Chapter 29: Let Each Other Go

So, was her existence truly that loathsome?

It would have been fine if she hadn't known in her previous life, but this time she insisted on getting an answer—only for that answer to make her feel even worse. Her whole body was cold, and her heart felt dead, beating mechanically without any warmth.

She really wanted to just collapse right here and never wake up again.

But at this moment, her consciousness was exceptionally clear; she didn't even want to close her eyes.

In Gideon’s eyes, she was a presence akin to a plague.

The night grew deeper, and the rain grew heavier. Luna continued to walk aimlessly. She didn't know where to go, nor where she could go.

At that moment, three men carrying umbrellas emerged from an alley. They reeked of alcohol and seemed drunk. Upon seeing her, they blocked her path. "Hey beauty, did you forget your umbrella? Come, come, big brother has an umbrella here. Come with us, and you'll feel warm in no time..."

She spoke coldly: "Get lost."

"Oh, oh, oh, those aren't very friendly words. There’s no one else on the road tonight. We’re being kind enough to share our umbrella; how can you curse at us?"

As they spoke, they moved to grab her.

But before a hand could touch her, it was intercepted. A cool, indifferent voice came from beside her: "Are you staying out past midnight just to be harassed by them?"

Luna slowly looked up. The man held an umbrella, his gaze fixed on her. The temperature in those dark eyes was like frost that had been stored for millennia, seemingly about to explode at any second.

This was the Gideon she had loved for so many years. Once again, she had become his burden, a presence he detested.

Luna suddenly laughed. "Who told you I was being harassed? They invited me for a drink. Why, does the CEO want to join?"

The three drunken men, who had been ready to retreat, suddenly regained their bravado upon hearing her words. The man whose hand was held by Gideon chuckled twice. "I say, sir, this is a consensual matter. What does it have to do with you... Ah! Ow! Gentler, gentler!"

"Say that one more time?"

Perhaps because the rain was too loud, Luna couldn't clearly hear the emotion hidden in his voice for a moment.

After a long silence, she spoke calmly: "Gideon, do you love me?"

His movements paused, and the curve of his lips was mocking. The words he spat out were even colder than this rainy night: "No."

"Then who I go with has nothing to do with you, does it?" She looked at him, her eyes already a pool of stagnant silence, without a flicker of light.

Gideon had long since lost his patience. He let go of the man’s hand and glanced sideways coldly. "Get lost."

"You..." The man wanted to say more, but he was dragged away by his companions. If they hadn't been sharp enough to notice several bodyguards nearby, all three of them would have suffered tonight.

The surroundings were suddenly emptied of noise and shouting, so quiet that only the sound of rain hitting the ground could be heard.

Luna was in a wretched state and only wanted to find a place to hide, yet all her misery was seen by him.

"Gideon, let's let each other go. I’m really tired. If you feel that only my death can relieve the hatred in your heart, then I..." Before she could finish, her lips were suddenly silenced by his.

His breath was hot and intense, as if he were swallowing her with the force of a thunderbolt!

Chapter 30: I Won't Divorce Her

Luna laughed bitterly, the despair in her heart spreading bit by bit.

She didn't know what she counted as in his eyes.

Let them be entangled then, until the end.

After that heavy rain, Luna became increasingly silent. In just three days, she had lost a significant amount of weight. She returned the meals sent by the servants untouched.

Xavier asked Gideon if he should call a doctor for her.

He received only a cold silence in response.

There were two days left until the one-week mark.

At noon, Serena pushed open the office door. Looking at the increasingly cold and stern man, she took a soft breath before walking over and speaking in a low voice: "Gideon, there’s something I want to tell you."

"Speak."

"Luna came to see me a few days ago."

Gideon’s movements paused. He looked up and said, "What did she say?"

Serena’s hands under the desk tightened. A flash of hesitation appeared in her eyes before she pursed her lips. "She refused to admit to what she did back then. Besides, she’s already married to you. Even if she really did those things, so what? No matter what, she is the wife, and no one can do anything to her..."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, that’s all."

Gideon let out a soft laugh. "Serena, do you truly think I know nothing?"

Serena’s lips twitched. "Gideon, I don't know what you mean."

"I won't divorce Luna. Do you understand now?"

Serena clenched her fists, her eyes full of resentment. "Why? Didn't you say you hated her and would never fall in love with her? Why are you unwilling to divorce her now? Gideon, do you know what you’re doing?"

Gideon looked at her expressionlessly. "My affairs are none of your business."

"Gideon..."

"Get out."

After leaving the corporate office, Serena was shaking with rage. Had Gideon really fallen in love with Luna?

No, that was absolutely impossible!

Serena gritted her teeth and drove to another location.

The weather grew colder, and Luna’s complexion worsened, appearing as if she would break with a gentle touch.

The servant looked at the man who had been standing outside the bedroom door for an unknown amount of time and spoke cautiously: "Sir, Madam... she still refuses to eat."

"Mhm. You may go."

Gideon entered the room. Looking at the food on the small table, he was silent for a moment before speaking: "Luna, eat."

The person standing by the window gave no reaction.

"Didn't you want the divorce agreement? I'll give it to you after you eat." His voice was exceptionally flat; it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Luna finally turned around. She gave him a dazed look and walked silently to the table, eating her meal mouthful by mouthful.

Was she finally going to be free?