Lunara's eyes blinked as she read the headlines.
She'd read every twisted word, the staged photo, the comment sections dripping with pity and venom. But she didn't flinch. She simply scrolled, eyes calm and lips pressed into a faint line.
From the beginning, something inside her had warned that peace wouldn't last. That choosing to stay in this relationship might invite someone to come for it.
But she never expected Valerie to go this far.
Just as she wanted to set her phone aside, the door burst open.
"Lunara!" Eryx rushed in, breathless, eyes wide with panic. He didn't wait. He strode straight to her bedside and snatched the phone, gaze flickering across the screen before turning back to her.
"You saw it?" His voice cracked with urgency. "Don't—don't read any more. I'll fix it. I promise. Please, just rest. Please believe me. I didn't—"
She reached up and gently took his hand.
"Eryx."
He froze.
