my luna

His absence

The car rolled forward slowly, and as they approached the main residence, Luna finally saw it clearly.

It was not the kind of luxury that shouted for attention. It was something far more intentional.

The building rose in layers of soft architectural symmetry—smooth white stone blended with deep charcoal edges that made the entire structure look like it was carved rather than built. Glass panels stretched across parts of the exterior, but they weren’t reflective like ordinary glass; they carried a faint smoky tint that made the house look distant, almost untouchable.

The lights around the estate were warm, not harsh—golden tones embedded into the pathways, glowing softly against the evening air like they had been placed there to guide silence rather than people.

Everything was too perfect.

Too controlled.

Even the wind seemed quieter here.

Maya leaned slightly forward again, her eyes scanning the structure. “This doesn’t look real…” she murmured under her breath.

Before the car fully stopped, movement appeared ahead.

Several men in dark uniforms stood in formation near the entrance. They didn’t rush. They didn’t speak. But the moment the car came to a complete stop, they moved with precise coordination.

One opened Luna’s door.

Another opened Maya’s.

And two others positioned themselves silently around the area—not aggressive, not loud, just observant. It wasn’t security in the normal sense. It felt more like controlled presence, like the space itself was being watched and protected without interruption.

Luna stepped out slowly, her breath catching slightly as she looked around. The silence here wasn’t empty—it was enforced.

Ethan stepped out after her, adjusting nothing, acknowledging nothing, as if all of this was simply expected.

Then an older woman appeared at the entrance.

She moved with calm confidence, dressed neatly in a simple but elegant uniform. Her presence wasn’t loud, but it carried familiarity—as if she had been part of this house for a long time.

The moment she saw Ethan, her expression softened slightly.

“Master Ethan,” she said respectfully, bowing her head just enough to show recognition.

Maya blinked slightly at the title but said nothing.

Ethan gave a small nod in response. “She’s back.”

The woman’s gaze shifted slightly, noticing Luna and Maya for the first time.

There was no shock on her face. No questions. Only quiet observation.

Ethan turned slightly toward Luna and Maya.

“This is Mrs. Hale,” he said calmly. “She manages the house.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added, his voice steady but clear:

“You will be staying here for now.”

Luna looked at him immediately.

“Here?” she repeated softly, as if confirming she had heard correctly.

Ethan met her gaze without hesitation. “Yes.”

No further explanation.

No negotiation.

Just certainty.

Mrs. Hale stepped forward slightly, her tone gentle but professional. “You both must be tired. I’ll arrange everything you need.”

Maya glanced at Luna, unsure what to think, but stayed silent.

And for the first time since stepping into this place, Luna realized something important:

This wasn’t just a house she had entered.

It was a world where decisions were already made before she could even question them

Mrs. Hale led them down a quiet corridor, her footsteps soft against the polished floor. The hallway felt longer than expected, lined with subtle lighting that glowed gently from the walls themselves. There were no loud decorations, no unnecessary noise—only calm structure, as if the entire house had been designed to keep emotions contained.

Luna followed silently, her fingers lightly brushing against the fabric of her clothes as she walked. Maya stayed close beside her, still looking around in disbelief, as though afraid to touch anything in case it wasn’t real.

They finally stopped in front of a door.

It looked different from the others.

Not louder. Not more decorated.

Just… intentional.

Mrs. Hale turned the handle and opened it gently.

“This is your room,” she said softly.

Luna hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

And then she stopped completely.

The room was quiet in a way that felt almost unreal.

It was large, but not overwhelming. The walls were a soft blend of ivory and warm beige tones, textured in a way that made them feel alive under the light. A wide window stretched across one side of the room, revealing a private view of the estate gardens—neatly arranged, glowing faintly under hidden lights that made everything look like it existed in a dream rather than reality.

The bed stood at the center of the space, slightly elevated, dressed in soft neutral fabrics that looked untouched. Everything was arranged with precision, not excess. A reading corner sat near the window, a small couch positioned perfectly to face the outside view, as if the room had been designed for silence, reflection… and escape from noise.

But what struck Luna the most was not the luxury.

It was the emptiness.

It felt prepared.

Not lived in.

Maya stepped in behind her, her voice barely above a whisper. “This… this is a room?”

Luna didn’t answer immediately.

Her eyes slowly moved around the space again, taking in the perfection, the calmness, the absence of anything personal.

It didn’t feel like hers.

It felt like it was waiting for someone.

Mrs. Hale stood at the doorway. “If you need anything, you can call me at any time. Rest is important.”

Then she stepped away quietly, closing the door softly behind her.

Silence settled instantly.

Just Luna and Maya.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Maya finally turned toward her, lowering her voice.

“Luna… this place is not normal.”

Luna didn’t respond right away.

Mrs. Hale stood at the doorway. “If you need anything, you can call me at any time. Rest is important.”

Then she stepped away quietly, closing the door softly behind her.

Silence settled instantly.

Just Luna and Maya.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Maya finally turned toward her, lowering her voice. “Luna… this place is not normal.”

Luna didn’t respond right away.

Instead, she slowly moved away from the center of the room and walked toward the window. She stood there quietly, her reflection faint against the glass as she looked out at the perfectly arranged estate gardens. Everything outside looked calm, almost unreal, like a world that didn’t belong to her.

Maya stayed where she was, watching her friend carefully, unsure what to say next.

After a moment, Luna exhaled softly and turned away from the window.

Her steps were slow as she walked deeper into the room.

She noticed a door she hadn’t fully paid attention to before.

The bathroom.

She pushed it open gently.

Inside was just as silent and clean as everything else. Soft lighting, polished surfaces, everything arranged neatly without a single unnecessary detail. It didn’t feel like a shared space—it felt personal, prepared, like it had been waiting for someone to arrive.

Luna didn’t stay long.

She stepped back out and moved toward another section of the room.

A wardrobe.

She hesitated for a moment before opening it.

And then she froze slightly.

Inside were clothes.

Not random clothes.

Carefully selected pieces—simple, elegant, and clearly chosen in her size. Soft fabrics, neutral tones, everything arranged neatly as if someone had already known exactly what she would need before she even arrived.

Luna’s fingers brushed lightly over one of the outfits, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, she just stood there.

Then she slowly closed the wardrobe again.

She stepped back into the center of the room, her thoughts heavier now than before.

Maya watched her carefully. “Did you find something?

Luna paused slightly, then shook her head faintly

“…Everything here feels like it was prepared for me,” she said quietly.

And for the first time since entering the room, she didn’t sound confused.

She sounded unsettled.

Luna sat quietly on the edge of the bed, her fingers loosely gripping the fabric beneath her as her thoughts drifted further away from the present.

The softness of the mattress, the calm lighting, the silence of the room—it all felt unreal compared to what she was used to. And the more she sat there, the more her mind began to pull her backward, into memories she had tried not to think about for a long time.

Her old room.

Her old life.

The way she had always been treated like she was just… there, not truly part of anything important. Like her presence didn’t matter enough to be acknowledged with warmth or care.

And then, slowly, another memory surfaced.

Her brother.

The only person who used to make the house feel less heavy.

Luna’s gaze dropped slightly as her chest tightened.

If he was still here…

Things would have been different.

He used to stand up for her in ways no one else did.

Even when he couldn’t always change what happened, his presence alone made them hesitate. Made them think twice.

But then he was sent away.

Overseas.

To study.

At the time, it had sounded like an opportunity. A future.

But now…

Luna’s eyes darkened slightly as the thought settled deeper.

It didn’t feel like an opportunity anymore.

It felt planned.

Deliberate.

As if removing him had made it easier for everything else to happen.

Her fingers tightened slightly on the bed.

If her brother had still been here… would they have dared to treat her like this?

The thought lingered painfully in her mind.

Maya noticed the change in her expression and moved a little closer. “Luna… what are you thinking about?

Luna blinked slowly, pulling herself back from the memory.

After a short pause, she spoke quietly.

“…My brother,” she said.

And then, even softer—

“If he was here… maybe none of this would have happened.”

Silence followed her words.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

Because even she wasn’t sure anymore if it was just a thought…

or the truth she had been avoiding.

Luna slowly leaned back on the bed.

The thoughts in her mind were still heavy, still tangled with memories she didn’t want to fully understand yet. But the softness beneath her, the quiet of the room, and the exhaustion in her body slowly began to pull her down.

Her eyes blinked once… twice…

And then stayed closed.

Sleep came quietly.

Not peaceful.

But deep.

The room remained still for a long time.

Only the soft sound of breathing filled the space.

Maya sat nearby at first, watching her friend carefully, but eventually, even she began to relax slightly. The tension of the day had stretched too long, and the silence of the house made everything feel distant and unreal.

Later.

A soft knock came at the door.

Maya lifted her head immediately.

Mrs. Hale’s voice followed gently from outside.

“Dinner is ready.”

Maya glanced at Luna, who was still asleep on the bed, her face finally calm for the first time since everything began.

She hesitated for a moment, then gently stood up and moved closer to the door.

“She’s sleeping,” Maya whispered.

There was a short pause.

Then Mrs. Hale replied calmly, “You may eat first. Master Ethan will also be present.”

At the mention of his name, Maya’s expression shifted slightly—but she said nothing.

Maya shook her head slightly.

“No,” she said gently. “I’ll stay here.”

Mrs. Hale paused. “You should at least come eat. It will be—”

Maya cut in softly but firmly. “Can we eat upstairs instead? She’ll eat when she wakes up.”

There was a brief silence.

Mrs. Hale considered it for a moment, then gave a small nod. “That’s fine. I’ll arrange it.”

She turned calmly and walked back down the corridor.

In the kitchen area, Mrs. Hale gave a quiet instruction to the staff.

“Prepare another tray. Bring everything upstairs immediately.”

One of the maids nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am.”

Within moments, the staff adjusted the trays, making sure everything was properly arranged again—warm food, drinks, and cutlery placed neatly without delay.

They moved back upstairs with steady steps.

Soon, the food was brought into Luna’s room again.

This time, it was not discussed.

It was understood.

The trays were placed gently on the small table near the sitting area, arranged carefully as if the room itself expected this moment.

Mrs. Hale adjusted one of the plates slightly, ensuring everything was perfect.

Then she turned to Maya.

“Let her rest,” she said calmly. “She will eat when she wakes.”

Maya nodded.

“Thank you.”

And just like that, the staff left quietly once more, closing the door softly behind them.

The room returned to silence.

Luna remained asleep.

But the world around her… continued moving carefully for her.

Luna stirred slowly.

At first, everything felt distant—like she was pulling herself out of something deep and heavy. The room was quiet, the kind of quiet that didn’t feel empty, just still.

Her eyes blinked open gradually.

Soft light filled the room, warmer than she remembered from before she slept. For a moment, she just lay there, trying to understand where she was.

Then it came back.

The hospital… the car… the mansion… Ethan.

Her fingers moved slightly on the bed as she pushed herself up.

That was when she noticed it.

The food.

On the small table near the sitting area, neatly arranged trays waited for her. Steam still rose gently from the dishes, like they had been brought not too long ago.

Luna sat up fully, her eyes shifting toward Maya, who was sitting nearby.

“You stayed here?” Luna asked quietly.

Maya smiled softly. “Of course.”

Luna looked at the food again. For a second, she didn’t move.

Then slowly, she stood up and walked over.

The smell was warm… familiar in a way she didn’t expect. It made her realize how long it had been since she last ate properly without tension around her.

She sat down carefully and picked up the spoon.

At first, she ate slowly.

Quietly.

As if her body was still unsure if it was allowed to relax.

Maya watched her without interrupting, just relieved to see her eating.

After a few moments, Luna paused slightly.

“…It’s good,” she said softly, almost surprised by her own words.

Maya gave a small smile. “You needed it.”

Luna nodded faintly and continued eating.

But even as she ate…

her mind wasn’t fully calm.

Because somewhere in this house, beneath the silence and luxury…

there was still Ethan.

And nothing about this place felt ordinary.

The night passed quietly.

For the first time in a long while, there were no harsh voices outside Luna's door. No arguments. No cold stares waiting for her when she opened her eyes.

Just silence.

Peaceful silence.

The next morning, golden sunlight slipped through the large windows, spreading across the room in soft streaks.

Luna stirred slowly beneath the covers.

For a moment, she simply lay there, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above her.

Then reality returned.

The hospital.

Ethan.

This house.

Everything that had happened.

A small frown appeared on her face as she sat up.

The room looked different in daylight.

Larger.

Brighter.

More beautiful.

The gardens outside the window were now clearly visible, their colors vibrant beneath the morning sun.

For a few seconds, Luna simply looked around.

Then a thought crossed her mind.

This wasn't a dream.

She was really here.

Across the room, Maya was still asleep, curled up comfortably on the couch.

Luna couldn't help the small smile that touched her lips.

At least she wasn't alone.

The knock from Mrs. Hale lingered in Luna's mind long after she left.

Slowly, Luna got out of bed and made her way to the wardrobe. When she opened it again, she found herself staring at rows of clothes arranged neatly inside. Dresses, tops, skirts, and comfortable home wear—all in colors she liked.

Or at least colors that suited her.

It was almost unsettling.

She reached for a simple cream-colored dress and held it against herself.

It fit perfectly.

Not too tight.

Not too loose.

Perfect.

Luna frowned slightly.

How did they know her size?

The thought stayed with her as she headed into the bathroom to freshen up.

A short while later, she emerged dressed and ready for the day.

By then, Maya was awake.

The moment Maya saw her, her eyes widened.

"Wow... you actually look alive today."

Luna rolled her eyes slightly.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Maya grinned and jumped off the couch.

"Good. Because I'm starving."

For the first time since arriving, Luna found herself smiling faintly.

Maybe things wouldn't be so bad.

Maybe.

---

A few minutes later, the two girls followed Mrs. Hale downstairs.

The dining room was just as impressive as the rest of the house.

A long table stretched through the center of the room beneath a crystal chandelier. Floor-to-ceiling windows allowed sunlight to pour inside, making everything look brighter and even more expensive.

Maya looked around openly.

"I swear this dining room is bigger than my entire apartment."

Mrs. Hale almost smiled.

Almost.

The girls took their seats.

Luna's eyes immediately searched the room.

Then the doorway.

Then the head of the table.

Empty.

She frowned.

"Ethan isn't here?"

Mrs. Hale placed a cup of tea beside Luna before answering.

"Master Ethan left early this morning."

Luna blinked.

"Left?"

"Yes."

Maya looked up.

"Where did he go?"

Mrs. Hale shook her head politely.

"I'm afraid I don't know."

That answer somehow made Ethan seem even more mysterious.

Luna lowered her gaze to her plate.

She wasn't sure why she had expected him to be there.

Maybe because this was his house.

Maybe because he had brought her here himself.

Or maybe...

Because his absence felt strangely noticeable.

Mrs. Hale seemed to notice her expression.

"He instructed us to make sure you are comfortable while he's away."

Luna looked up slowly.

Away.

The word settled in her mind.

For some reason, she felt slightly disappointed.

And that confused her more than anything.

Because she barely knew him.

Yet somehow...

The house felt a little emptier without him.

Maya's phone rang an unknown number