Danny opened the large door, and Luna stepped inside. It shut behind her with a soft thud, sealing her alone with Xander in the opulent room. The expansive desk, leather sofa, and curated artwork exuded a quiet, cold luxury.
Xander, dressed in a tailored black suit, stood from the sofa. His expression was unreadable.
"What is it?" he asked gruffly, sitting back down without offering her a seat.
Luna raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a subtle smirk. She took a seat anyway, her gaze unwavering.
"Why?" she countered coolly. "Am I not allowed to be here?"
His jaw tightened. "You should've called ahead."
Luna's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Why? Upset that I introduced myself as your fiancée?"
Xander didn't flinch. He said nothing, but the silence felt louder than any argument. Luna's irritation flickered in her eyes, but she composed herself, leaning back casually.
Xander watched her for a moment, then asked in a measured tone, "Why did you come?"
Without breaking eye contact, Luna reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope. She placed it neatly on the coffee table between them.
Xander picked it up and scanned the contents. His shoulders slumped slightly.
"So what?"
"It's my admission letter," Luna said. "Master's in geology. X University. The program starts in two days." She paused. "I was hoping... we could postpone the wedding. Just for two years."
His expression didn't change. "What did your parents say?"
Luna's jaw clenched. "Xander, it was your mother who fixed the marriage. My parents just followed along because they were too scared to say no. You know your family looks down on us. My parents barely get a say in anything."
His eyes darkened. "Mind your words, Luna. No one looked down on you. This marriage was arranged out of respect."
"Then if you respect me, ask your mother to postpone it," Luna said, her voice rising, eyes glistening with frustration.
Xander stood abruptly, stepping closer, his tone sharp. "It wasn't my mother who set the date. Your family did."
The color drained from Luna's face. Her lips parted in disbelief, tears rising fast. She had begged her parents—told them about her plans—but they hadn't listened.
Xander sighed and pulled out his phone. "I'll have Danny drive you home."
Luna sank back onto the sofa, silent tears spilling down her cheeks as he turned away, phone pressed to his ear. He paused mid-call, his eyes flicking back to her face—tear-streaked, proud, and hurt. The weight of the moment pressed down on them both.
Luna stepped into the living room. Her mother reached out, gently grasping her arm.
"Where were you, dear? Your father will be home soon."
Luna's face was blank, but her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She didn't answer.
"Luna?" her mother pressed, concern tightening her voice.
Luna yanked her arm free and darted upstairs, her sobs echoing down the hallway.
A minute later, she came back down, dragging a suitcase behind her.
Mother Mary gasped. "What are you doing?" She tried to stop her, grabbing at the handle.
Luna didn't look back. "Move, Mom."
"Your father will be home any minute—"
Luna froze, then turned slowly, tears falling freely now. "Does Dad even love me?"
Mary faltered. "Of course he does—"
"Then why doesn't he listen? He knows I wanted to study abroad, and yet he still went to the Blackwoods!"
Mary reached for her. "Please, listen—"
But Luna was already out the door. She fumbled with the car keys, got in, and started the engine. Her mother rushed to block the driveway, but Luna swerved past her, disappearing into the distance, leaving behind a cloud of dust and heartbreak.
Just as Luna's car vanished, a sleek black vehicle entered from the opposite direction.
Xander stepped out, spotting Mary's pale, stricken face.
"What happened, Aunty?"
She broke down. "That car… it was Luna. She's run away."
Xander muttered a curse under his breath. This was childish—reckless. He slid back into his car and sped off after her.
Luna glanced into her rearview mirror. Her stomach turned when she saw a familiar black car behind her.
She took a sharp turn. The car followed effortlessly.
Another turn—too tight. Her wheels screeched, and the car slammed into a post.
Everything went black.
Xander skidded to a stop and jumped out, racing toward the crumpled car. He yanked open the door.
"Luna!"
She was slumped over the wheel, unconscious.
"Shit!" he breathed, carefully pulling her into his arms.
Luna stirred under the harsh white lights of the hospital room. Her back ached, and a sharp pain pulsed behind her eyes.
She groaned and tried to sit up.
"You're awake."
The voice was calm, familiar—and cold.
She turned her head and found Xander standing beside the bed, arms crossed.
Her expression hardened.
"As much as I try to run away from you, you always find a way to get under my skin," Luna snapped, her voice thick with frustration.
Xander's gaze didn't waver. "Well, your memory seems perfectly intact," he replied coolly.
Her eyes narrowed. "Why did you follow me?"
"To save my reputation," he said dryly, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Can't have people saying Xander's fiancée ran away like a scared little girl."
"I'm not your wife," Luna hissed.
His expression sharpened. "And you're not a child, so why are you acting like one? Running away from home isn't exactly mature."
"I wasn't running away," she shot back, attempting to stand. Her legs buckled beneath her.
Xander caught her by the wrists before she could fall. She pushed him away, her face set in stone. "I said I'm fine."
Just then, Albert and Mother Mary rushed into the room. Mary hurried to Luna's side, wrapping her arms around her daughter. Luna clung to her mother, her face a fragile mix of guilt and relief.
Moments later, Mother Miley swept in, regal and composed, commanding instant attention. Mary and Albert instinctively straightened up.
"Luna," Mother Miley said firmly, her voice tinged with disappointment, "I expected more from you. Whatever's troubling you, you should've come to your father or me. Running away isn't a solution. It's not the kind of decision we raised you to make."
Luna kept her eyes on the floor, saying nothing. Mother Miley stepped forward, gently taking Luna's hand in hers.
"I should go," Xander said quietly, stealing a glance at Luna before turning away. "Aunty, Uncle."
"Thank you for bringing her back," Albert said sincerely.
Mother Miley gave her son a nod before refocusing on Luna. "Darling, if you want to study, we're not against it. Your father told us about your acceptance to X University. But with the wedding a month away, that timing just isn't realistic. Don't worry—you can attend any university you want here after the wedding."
Albert added gently, "Luna, I've only ever wanted what's best for you. What could possibly be so wrong that you felt the need to run away?"
Luna didn't answer. Tears welled up in her eyes, not because she wanted to cry—but because she finally understood.
They would never understand.