Give My Quadruplets Back, My Luna!

CHAPTER 2

The next day was Derrick’s birthday ball and dread washed over my heart the moment I woke up. As Luna, it was my duty to stand by his side, smile at the guests, and pretend everything was perfect. I’d have to watch him charm everyone in the room while I stayed in the background, invisible unless someone needed me to be polite or useful.

I loathed it.

I spent hours preparing, doing everything to look presentable, as expected. My dress was elegant enough to make me look breathtaking, a white gown with black straps. I really didn’t care about the way I looked, but I knew Derrick would. If I didn’t meet the image of what a Luna should be, he’d have another reason to treat me like I was less than human.

When the time came, I took my place at the entrance hall next to him, welcoming one guest after another. So many blurred together, noblemen, business leaders, warriors, alphas, and their families, all of them congratulating Derrick, most of them ignoring me completely. I pasted on the smile I had practised for years, the one that didn’t reach my eyes but kept me from looking out of place.

It was going smoothly until one of the waiters, a young man who seemed new to the job, stumbled beside me. He was carrying a tray of water glasses, and before I could react, the tray tipped. Water splashed across my chest, soaking the front of my gown.

“Ah!” I gasped as the cold hit me, my white dress now clinging embarrassingly to my skin.

I tried to compose myself, but the embarrassment had already crept into my skin, turning my cheeks bright red. My first instinct was to hide before Derrick would get to know of it but before I could do so, his anger had already flared. 

"Junia!" his eyes narrowed as he glared at me. "Can’t you even stand still for one night without causing a scene?"

“You just have to make a mess of yourself every damn time!” Derrick’s voice was sharp, and I flinched at the fury burning in his eyes.

His voice was loud enough that several guests nearby turned to look at me, their eyes shadowed with judgement. It was the waiter’s fault, but of course, Derrick didn’t care about that. It was easier to blame me.

“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, but he had already turned away, uninterested in hearing anything else. I could feel the eyes on me, the whispers starting up. My chest burned with a heavy heart, not just from the cold water but from the humiliation of being called out so publicly.

Before I could retreat, a noblewoman stepped forward. She was older, her eyes kind in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time.

"Come with me, my dear," she said softly, offering a peaceful smile. "Let’s get you cleaned up. You shouldn’t have to stay like this all evening."

I nodded, grateful for the excuse to escape the crowd. She led me through the side hallway, up to one of the guest rooms on the second floor. I couldn’t even think clearly as we walked; all I could feel was Derrick choosing not to wait to scold me privately. 

Once we reached the bedroom, the woman closed the door behind us. She handed me a dry dress, something casual but enough to get me through the rest of the night.

"You’ll be fine, darling" she uttered with a small smile. "These things happen. Don’t beat yourself up for it.” 

I nodded, mumbling a thank you. I wanted to believe her, but I knew better. Things like this didn’t “just happen” in Derrick’s world. Every mistake, no matter how small, would be used against me.

I changed quickly, glad to have the privacy of the room for a moment, even if it was brief. But as I finished, I heard a soft knock on the door. I didn’t even need to ask who it was.

Veronica.

She opened the door without waiting for my response, her presence filling me up with discomfort. She looked perfect, of course. Always perfect. Her hair was neatly styled, and her dress, deep red, hugged her body in a way that made her impossible to ignore. She smiled at me, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. It was the kind of smile that warned you something was about to go very wrong.

“Junia,” she called, her tone laced with disdain, “could I speak to you for a moment? Alone?”

I didn’t want to. Everything in me screamed to stay away from her, but what choice did I have? I nodded, stepping toward the door.

She gestured for me to follow her out into the hallway, and I did, my heart beating faster with every step. She led me to the landing on the second floor, where we could see the grand ballroom below, the guests mingling, oblivious to what was happening upstairs.

“I just wanted to clear the air between us, alright,” Veronica began, her tone now suspiciously kind. “I know things have been... tense, with Derrick and everything. But I want you to know that I don’t hold any ill will toward you.”

I stayed silent, watching her carefully. I didn’t trust a single word she said. We had only crossed paths a few times and I only believed that she was my husband’s client but I didn’t think they took it from the office to bedroom affairs. 

“And,” she added, “I think it’s time we are honest with each other. Derrick loves me, Junia. He always has, and he always will. You were just... an inconvenience we had to deal with for a while.” 

“There’s no space for you in his life especially since you can’t even give him a child.”

“But don’t worry,” she continued, stepping closer to the edge of the railing. “It won’t be long before I’m the one with his heir and you’d be brushed aside as an old unwanted hag.” 

Then, without warning, she smiled again, this time wickedly, I was confused, trying to process this strange shift in her behavior, when she suddenly threw herself over the railing.

Immediately I froze, horror grasping every line of thoughts and my chest as I watched her fall. Time seemed to fall slower. The sickening thud of her body hitting the floor below sent sharp gasps rippling through the crowd. 

Some screamed, and in an instant, everyone was rushing toward her.

I stood there, unable to move, unable to understand what had just happened. She had done it herself. I hadn’t touched her. I hadn’t even been close enough to push her. But it didn’t matter.

Within minutes, Derrick was at her side, cradling her in his arms as she shivered, sobbed, blood staining the floor beneath her. She whispered something to him, and I saw the raw fury blaze in his eyes when he looked up at me.

“She pushed me,” Veronica whimpered loud enough for everyone to hear. “I... I don’t understand why she hates me so much!”

“No,” I whispered, my voice unsteady as I shook my head. “I didn’t... I didn’t touch her! That’s not what happened!”

But it didn’t matter. The damage was done. Derrick’s face was dark with rage as he stood, handing Veronica to the nearest healer.

“Take her to the clinic,” he growled, then turned to me, spitting through gritted teeth, “You’ll pay for this!”

“How could you be so evil? You couldn’t get pregnant after living a reckless life with goddess knows how many men again?”

“And now, you got so jealous that you want to kill our child. My heir!” He barked and I flinched. 

Before I could even explain myself, his guards were at my side, grabbing my arms roughly. I struggled, trying to beg him, but no one listened. Derrick had already made up his mind.

“Please don’t let them take me away.” I cried, panic clawing against my heart, “Derrick! Please!”

But no one cared for my words. No one cared to listen.

The guards dragged me away down to the basement, my screams for innocence ignored. The darkness swallowed me as the door slammed shut behind me, and in that moment, I knew. There would be no mercy for me here.