Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234

What I wanted to say was different: Because I care about you, and I can’t stand to see you in pain. But I swallowed those words. She’d never believe me anyway, would see it as just another manipulation. Better to hide behind territory and responsibility than expose a truth she wasn’t- ready to hear–that I might never be ready to fully admit.

“I don’t want to owe you anything,” she said, her voice hardening. “I don’t want any more ties between us.”

“This isn’t about us,” I insisted. “This is about saving your brother’s life.”

She wavered visibly, exhaustion and cold taking their toll. When she swayed on her feet, I stepped forward reflexively.

“Don’t,” she warned, holding up a hand to stop me.

But her strength had reached its limit. She stumbled, her legs buckling. I caught her before she hit the ground, lifting her into my arms despite her weak protests.

“Put me down,” she demanded, pushing against my chest. “I don’t need your help.”

“Stop fighting me for one goddamn minute,” I growled, starting the walk back to the cars. “You hate me. I get it. But I’m not leaving you to die of exposure.”

She fell silent, but her body remained rigid in my arms, resisting even this basic comfort. After a few minutes, though, exhaustion won out. Her head dropped against my shoulder, not out of affection but sheer fatigue.

“Why were you really following me?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

“You threatened to let another man mark you,” I replied, not bothering to hide my bitterness. “Did you think I’d just let that happen?”

“Why are you doing this? Why do you keep dragging me into your life, into this twisted triangle? I’m trying to move on, but you won’t let me.”

“Move on to whom exactly?” I demanded, my grip on her tightening instinctively. “Kieran? Or is it Eldreth? Which one are you planning to let mark you?”

Her eyes widened. “How do you-*

“Take it back,” I growled, my voice dropping to a dangerous timbre. “Take back what you said about letting another man mark you.”

“Or what?” she challenged, though I could feel her pulse racing where my fingers wrapped around her wrist.

‘Or I’ll make sure you never see the twins again, I threatened, the words tasting like poison even as I spoke them. “And I’ll mark you right here, right now, to ensure no other man ever can.”

Something snapped in her expression. With surprising strength, she wrenched herself from my arms and stumbled back, finding her footing. Before I could react, her hand swung toward my face.

I caught her wrist inches from my cheek, yanking her against my chest. Our faces were close enough that I could feel her breath, rapid and warm against my skin.

I’m ending things with her, I interrupted, still holding her firmly against me. “Tonight.”

She froze, her struggles ceasing as she processed my words. “What?”

“You heard me,” I said, my voice lower. It’s over.”

She stared at me, disbelief evident in her eyes. After a moment, she laughed–a brittle sound that held no humor.

Chapter 234

“Don’t tell me you’re doing this because of me,” she said, pulling away from my grip. “I’m not taking credit for your relationship failures.”

“It has nothing to do with you, I lied, letting her go. “It’s just time.”

“Well, good for you,‘ she said flatly, wrapping her arms around herself against the cold. “Maybe next time pick someone who doesn’t think attacking other women makes her look stronger.

Exhaustion was clearly taking its toll on her. She swayed slightly where she stood.

We should go, I said, gesturing toward the path that led back to our cars. “Can you walk?”

‘I’m fine,” she insisted, though her voice lacked conviction.

She took a step forward and stumbled. I moved to catch her, but she held up a hand, stopping me.

“Don’t,” she warned. “I can manage.”

We began the trek back through the forest, her steps unsteady but determined. I stayed close, ready to catch her if she fell again, but respecting her desire for distance.

We walked in strained silence, the only sounds our breathing and the soft crunch of leaves beneath our feet. The path was dark, illuminated only by intermittent patches of moonlight filtering through the trees.

By the time we reached the clearing where our cars waited, Lysandra was visibly struggling. I kept a careful distance as she approached her vehicle, keys already in hand.

She turned to face me. “Whatever game you’re playing, whatever you’re trying to do–it won’t work. Nothing can undo the years we’ve lost.” Her voice was quiet but steady. “What’s broken stays broken, Tristan. Like a shattered mirror–even if you piece it back together, the cracks remain.”

“Lysandra, I meant it that I can help with your brother’s illness.”

“No,” she cut me off, her voice hardening despite her exhaustion. ‘I won’t let you do this–pretend to care about me or my family when it’s convenient for you.” She took an unsteady step toward her car. “If you want to help, stay away from us.”

I watched her unlock her car, frustration building in my chest. “You’re in no condition to drive.”

“I’ve survived worse than this,‘ she replied, sliding into the driver’s seat. Her wet clothing left dark stains on the leather.

“At least let me follow you,” I insisted. “To make sure you get home safely.”

She closed the door without answering, starting the engine. The headlights came on, cutting through the darkness. For a moment, I saw her face illuminated in the dash lights–pale, drawn, but set with that stubborn determination I knew so well.

Then she pulled away, leaving me standing alone in the clearing.

I watched her taillights disappear around the bend, already planning my next move. Whether she wanted my help or not, I wouldn’t let her brother die. And I’d find out exactly what she wasn’t telling me about her desperate search for those flowers.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify