He Chose His Moonlight, I Chose My New Life

Chapter 3

But I had to bite the bullet and walk to Landon's bedroom door anyway, just to get his mother off my back.

I pointed at my phone and mouthed silently at him, "Your mom."

He frowned, stepped out of the room, and took my phone from me.

"Hey, Mom, what's up?"

His mother was probably walking him through the details of his succession ceremony the next day.

I leaned back against the wall off to the side, zoning out as my mind drifted miles away.

*****

"Dad, I don't want to marry into the Jensen family!"

"Only that family can keep you safe. This is the last thing your dad can do for you. That boy? He can't protect you."

"I want to be with him! I'm not marrying anyone else!"

"Breaking News: Head of Stevens Group Falls to Death After Company Bankruptcy, Police Launch Investigation"

"Mom, are you leaving me too?"

"Be good, marry into the Jensen family. At least no one will dare to bully you there. You can't be selfish anymore! Don't make your father and I rest uneasy in our graves!"

*****

"Hey! What are you spacing out for? Here's your phone back."

I jolted back to reality, and didn't have time to blink back my tears before they were visible on my face. I took the phone Landon held out to me and turned to leave, but he caught my wrist.

"Are you crying?"

"No, I'm just tired. That was a yawn."

I wrenched my hand free and walked away. I walked faster and faster, because I could feel his eyes burning into my back the whole time. It was creepy as hell.

My period was a few days late. No way, right?

When Landon headed to the office, I bought a pregnancy test. Holy hell, it was positive.

Perfect. Looks like I had to speed up my plans.

After Landon took over the company, he was swamped with work. We barely crossed paths at all. I wasn't exactly lazing around either.

"It's been over a month. Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"

"Either is fine! As long as it's our baby, I'll love it to bits."

The man holding me tight was actually shaking with excitement.

"Excitement aside, getting out of that family as soon as possible is our top priority right now."

"Don't worry. Scarlet just got back to the country."

Even with his packed schedule, he hosted tons of events to welcome his childhood sweetheart, giving her full face and status.

The two of them even showed up everywhere together in public. Media outlets had already started running gossip pieces about the two of them.

Landon's official response?

"When I was young, I was bound by a verbal engagement our parents arranged, and I let the woman I love down. I've carried that guilt with me ever since. Now I don't want to miss my chance again. I'm handling things on my own timeline."

It sounded so genuine and heartfelt.

Honestly? I could actually relate to that a lot. I had my own timeline, too.

Lately, I've noticed Landon acting weird, like he was dying to say something to me but kept chickening out every time.

I was this close to losing my patience with him. If he kept dragging his feet like this, my baby would be popping out before he worked up the nerve.

Ugh, Scarlet, that so-called perfect first love of his, was really dropping the ball here. Looks like I had to nudge things along and put a little fire under him.

After I made a few moves, the moment finally came.

This was only the second time Landon had ever stepped foot in my room. The first was our wedding day three years ago. He looked so out of place, his eyes darting everywhere like he couldn't stand to meet mine.

I almost snickered right then and there, because I knew exactly what he was about to say.

"Is there something you need?"

He clenched his fist so tight his knuckles went white, and forced the words out like they were stuck in his throat.

"You know I didn't have a choice when I married you. Now the woman I love is back. I... what I'm saying is, you need to leave. We're getting a divorce."

'Geez, it was just a simple divorce, not rocket science. The guy was stumbling over his words for no good reason. Still so immature.'

"Oh, okay. Thanks for taking care of me all this time."

Nailed it. Short, sweet, exactly what needed to be said.

His eyes practically bulged out of his head, pure shock written all over his face.

"What? Are you in shock or something? I'm telling you I want a divorce!"

"Hmm, I know. You said that perfectly clear."