Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229

I stood frozen on the sidewalk, watching Eldreth’s car disappear around the corner. The red taillights winked at me one last time before vanishing completely, leaving me alone with the crushing weight of his ultiniatum.

My hands trembled, and 1 shoved them deep into my pockets. People brushed past me on the busy sidewalk, but I barely registered their presence. All I could hear was Eldreth’s voice echoing in my head: I’ll be leaving in two days. If you decide you want my help, under any terms, call

1. MC.

“Bastard,” I whispered, drawing curious glances from a couple walking by.

I’d thought Eldreth was different. I’d believed he genuinely wanted to help Alaric, to help me. But he was just like all the rest–manipulative, self–serving, willing to use my brother’s life as leverage to get what he wanted.

For a brief moment, I considered chasing after his car, demanding he help my brother without conditions. But what good would that do? The renowned healer had made his terms clear.

A man brushed against my shoulder, muttering an apology before hurrying on. I stood rooted to the spot, my mind replaying that near–accident just minutes ago.

That car hadn’t swerved accidentally. The driver had looked right at me, checking if they’d hit their target as they sped away. Had Eldreth arranged that “accident just to play hero? Or was it—

My breath caught as another possibility struck me.

Tristan.

Would he go that far? Arrange a hit–and–run to keep me away from Eldreth? I’d seen the jealousy in his eyes at the bridge, the possessiveness when he’d caught me with Eldreth that night.

What am I thinking? I shook my head, forcing myself to move. I’m giving Tristan too much credit. He doesn’t care enough to arrange an accident.

Yet something in my gut whispered otherwise. The driver had been too deliberate, too focused.

I flagged down a passing taxi, sliding into the backseat with a weary sigh.

Where to?” the driver asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

I gave him my address, then leaned back against the worn leather seat.

What did Eldreth see in me anyway? A broken, divorced woman with two children she couldn’t even see. With a snap of his fingers, he could have thousands of young, unblemished girls throwing themselves at him. Why me?

I have two days, I reminded myself. Two days to figure out how to save Alaric without selling myself to Eldreth.

But deep down, I knew there wasn’t another solution. Eldreth was the only one who could create the treatment. Without him, Alaric–and

Kieran–would die.

By the time the taxi pulled up to my house, the afternoon sun had begun its slow descent toward the horizon. I paid the driver mechanically, my mind still churning with impossible choices.

As I turned toward my front door, I noticed an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. My heart skipped a beat. We rarely had visitors.

But then I recognized the sleek black sedan. A smile tugged at my lips despite everything.

1/3

Chapter 229

Dad was home.

Lhunted up the path, fumbling with my keys in my haste. The front door swung open before i could insert the key.

Welcome hack, miss, greeted our housekeeper with a warm smile. You have guests.”

I nodded my thanks and rushed past her into the living room. There, seated on our sofa, were my parents. My father rose to his feet as I

entered.

“My princess,” he said, atms opening wide. “How are you?”

Dad. My voice cracked on the single syllable. ‘I missed you.”

His familiar scent enveloped me as I threw myself into his embrace.

“I missed you too, he murmured against my hair.

I couldn’t stop the tears that sprang to my eyes. After everything that had happened today–Eldreth’s manipulation, the near–accident, the constant stress of Alaric’s condition–my father’s presence was like a lifeline thrown to a drowning woman.

He stroked my hair gently as I clung to him. “There, there. Everything will be alright.”

I wished I could believe him. I wished I was still that little girl who believed her father could fix anything, fight any monster, solve any problem. But we both knew some things were beyond even his power.

Finally, I pulled back, wiping at my eyes. “When did you get back?”

“A few hours ago,” my mother answered, rising from the sofa to embrace me. “He wanted to surprise you.”

I hugged her tightly, then sat between them on the sofa. “How was your trip?”

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