EMPIRE OF LIES

Chapter1

A WISH AND A SECRET

Moon lay helplessly inside the mangled car, her head barely visible through the shattered frame. Blood gushed from her nose and mouth, while bruises covered her face.

Moon gasped faintly. “Ugh…”

She heard footsteps approaching. They sounded unusually loud, as though the sound were echoing directly inside her head.

Slowly, she turned toward the source of the noise.

Her gaze fell on her parents kneeling before three men. Their faces were pale with fear as they begged desperately for their lives.

“Please… don't do this,” her mother cried.

“We can give you whatever you want,” her father added shakily.

The men didn't respond.

Multiple gunshots tore through the air.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Moon's body jerked violently.

Her parents collapsed to the ground lifelessly.

Her eyes trembled with horror as the deafening sound of gunfire echoed through the space.

The men turned and walked toward her.

Their faces were hidden beneath black masks. Then they pointed their guns at her.

“You are next,” they chorused.

“Ahhh!” Moon screamed.

Crane immediately turned on the bedside lamp and crawled across the bed, wrapping his arms around her carefully.

“Moon!” His voice was filled with concern.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?”

Moon was trembling uncontrollably. Her breathing came in short, uneven bursts as her hands shook against the sheets.

As she felt Crane's touch against her skin, she jerked violently.

“No!”

“It's okay, sweetheart.”

Crane pulled her closer and gently stroked her hair.

“I'm here, baby. You're safe. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

Moon whimpered softly and buried her face against his chest.

“It was the dream again.”

Crane frowned. “What dream?”

Moon slowly lifted her head. “The dream about my parent's death.”

There was a brief pause.

“Oh.”

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I'm sorry, sweetheart. I forgot.”

Moon stared at him.

“This is the third time I've had this same dream, Crane.”

Crane's expression softened immediately.

“Sorry.” His voice was genuine.

“You know how my memory is these days.”

Moon sighed.

The irritation she felt disappeared almost instantly. She knew he wasn't pretending.

“Jesus, Crane. My parents are dead. So are yours.”

Crane blinked twice. Then he squeezed her hand.

“I know.” His smile was faint.

“Sometimes I just wish they weren't.”

Moon's eyes softened.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

“Your condition is getting worse,” she said quietly.

Crane chuckled lightly. “I can't argue with that after forgetting something important again.”

His expression became playful. “But I also know this isn't the right time to discuss it.”

Moon rolled her eyes. “We both have work.”

“Exactly.”

Crane kissed her forehead.

“Let's get ready before we're both late.”

“You are right, sweetheart.” Moon finally smiled.

“Let's prepare for work.”

She carefully slipped out of Crane's arms, dragging him along with her.

They entered the jacuzzi and washed up together.

The warmth of the water helped calm Moon's nerves.

By the time they returned to the bedroom, the nightmare had mostly faded.

They got dressed and prepared for the day.

Shortly afterward, they left for work.

"Mr Banks has been waiting for you, ma'am,” Lucy said as she followed Moon toward her office.

Moon glanced at her wristwatch. “Why is he here so early?”

“I don't know, ma'am.”

Moon sighed. “Send him in.”

“Okay, ma'am.”

A few moments later, Mr Banks entered the office.

“You sure know how to look priceless,” he teased.

Moon didn't smile. “Everything that concerns me is priceless, Mr Banks. Including my time.”

“Fair enough.”

He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down, adjusting his tie carefully.

“I haven't come to waste your time today, Moon.”

“Then what did you come for?”

“I came with an offer.”

Moon folded her arms. “I'm listening.”

Mr Banks leaned forward.

“It's inappropriate for a company as large as Creamzole Enterprises to be run by a man whose memory continues to deteriorate.”

Moon's expression hardened immediately.

“I mean no disrespect,” he continued. “But Crane's condition is getting worse.”

Moon's eyes narrowed. “Be careful, Mr Banks.”

“I'm only being realistic.”

“Crane Smith is still the chairman of this company.”

“Which is why the board has prepared an alternative.”

Moon remained silent.

“He remains chairman," Mr Banks continued, “but someone else becomes CEO. The board gets stability, and you get protection.”

“Protection?”

“We're prepared to give you twenty-five percent of the company's shares.”

Moon laughed softly. The sound carried no amusement.

“Why would I accept a percentage of what already belongs to me?”

Mr Banks hesitated.

“Because if Crane dies before giving you an heir, everything changes.”

Moon's expression remained calm, but her fingers tightened beneath the desk.

Mr Banks had struck exactly where it hurt most.

“Twenty-five percent guarantees your future,” he continued.

“Thank you for your concern.” Moon's voice remained polite.

“But I'm fine.”

“Moon…”

"And I will give my husband an heir."

Silence settled between them.

Mr Banks studied her carefully.

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

Another silence followed.

Then Moon gestured toward the door.

“If that's all, Mr Banks, I have work to do.”

Mr Banks rose slowly. “Just think about it.”

“I'll see you around.”

He lingered for a moment before finally leaving.

The second the door closed, Moon's composure shattered.

She lowered her head onto the desk. Her eyes filled with tears.

The subject haunted her.

For five years she had been married to Crane.

Five years. Not once had she conceived.

The fear of infertility had slowly become her worst nightmare.

She feared losing her chance to become a mother.

But even more frightening was the possibility of losing her place beside Crane.

Moon wiped her eyes quickly.

After a few minutes, she forced herself back together and continued with her work.

While Moon struggled through her day, Crane was having one of the brightest mornings he had experienced in months.

“The documents are ready, sir.”

Patrice placed a folder on the desk.

“If you sign here, everything will be settled.”

Crane smiled. “Thank you, Patrice.”

He tapped the folder lightly. “You've been more than my lawyer. You've been a friend.”

Patrice smiled. “The pleasure has been mine.”

Crane opened the folder.

“Do you want me to go through everything again before you sign?” Patrice asked carefully.

Crane laughed. “You ask me that every time.”

“Well, considering your condition…”

“Fair point.”

Crane glanced at the first page. Then the second.

His smile slowly widened. Then he picked up the pen.

“I trust you.”

“I'm honoured, sir.”

Crane signed the documents.

“It's done.”

His excitement was impossible to hide.

“When do you intend to tell her?” Patrice asked.

Crane laughed loudly. “You know my wife.”

“That much is true.”

“She loves surprises.”

Patrice nodded. “She'll love this one.”

“I hope so.”

Crane leaned back in his chair. “Actually, I know she will.”

Patrice chuckled. “You sound very confident.”

“I married Moon," Crane grinned.

“Confidence comes with the territory.”

Both men laughed.

“I'll gather the board whenever you give the order,” Patrice said.

“You'll do that after she accepts.”

“You're still nervous?”

“You clearly haven't met my wife.”

Patrice laughed again. “She is the best thing that ever happened to you.”

Crane's smile softened. “You can say that again.”

Patrice stood. “I'll leave the recorder with your secretary.”

“Perfect.”

Patrice nodded and exited.

As soon as the door closed, Crane jumped to his feet.

He walked over to the bar and poured himself a glass of whisky.

His heart raced with excitement.

For the next several minutes, he practised different ways of approaching Moon.

Every version sounded better than the last.

The more he imagined her reaction, the more convinced he became that she would love it.

Moon, however, was having a terrible day.

First, there had been Mr Banks.

Then her sister had called, spending ten minutes reminding her how terrible she supposedly was as a CEO.

By the time she arrived home, she was mentally exhausted.

Moon stepped out of her car and then paused suddenly.

The entrance was decorated with flowers and ribbons.

Her eyebrows rose. A trail of flower petals led toward the front door.

Words were carefully arranged across the doorstep.

COME IN IF YOU'D DO ANYTHING FOR ME.

Moon let out a genuine laugh. The first one she had managed all day.

She followed the trail inside. The entire living room had been transformed.

Every corner screamed romance.

Moon shook her head.

Crane might have amnesia, but somehow his talent for romance had survived untouched.

For the first time that day, she forgot every problem weighing on her shoulders.

The sadness, the pressure, the fear – everything disappeared.

Crane sat on a spinning chair with his back facing the entrance.

As Moon walked closer, balloons swayed gently overhead.

With every step she took, Crane's heart pounded harder.

Moon stopped behind him. Then bent toward his ear.

A smile played on her lips. “I would do anything for you, baby.”

Her voice was soft. “Just make a wish.”

She slowly turned the chair around, and their eyes met.

Moon's smile widened.

Then she noticed the white document resting in Crane's hand.

Her smile faltered.

Slowly... It faded completely.