~~~~
It was almost midnight. The house was quiet, except for the slow ticking of the wall clock and the occasional sigh from Grace in the kitchen. Luna sat by the window, watching the street outside, eyes tired but refusing to rest.
Ashy had been gone for days. Each hour felt like a year.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
It was soft. Calm. Too calm.
Luna jumped up. Her heart began to pound wildly. Grace rushed from the kitchen, her hands trembling.
"Who's that?" Grace whispered, gripping Luna's hand.
Luna slowly stepped forward. "Only one way to find out."
She opened the door… and her breath caught in her throat.
Ashy.
He stood there—barefoot, hair rough, eyes sunken. His shirt was torn, and he looked like someone who had walked through fire. But he was alive.
"Ashy!" Luna screamed and dropped to her knees, hugging him tightly.
Grace joined her, tears rushing down her face. "My son… my son..."
Ashy didn't speak. He just hugged them both, holding on like his life depended on it.
Then Luna looked up and saw them—Marcus, Gideon, and behind them... Steve Collins, standing quietly like a shadow.
He said nothing at first. Just watched the family reunite.
Luna stood up slowly, her face full of disbelief and relief. "You found him…"
Steve gave a short nod. "He's safe now."
Tears welled in Luna's eyes. "Thank you."
Steve's voice was low. "I keep my word."
~~~~
Ashy sat on the couch wrapped in a thick blanket. He hadn't said much since he came home. His eyes moved around like he was afraid someone would snatch him again.
Luna sat beside him, holding his hand gently. Grace brought warm food, but Ashy barely touched it.
Marcus stood by the door, hands in his pockets, watching. Steve leaned against the wall, quiet but alert.
Finally, Ashy spoke.
"They didn't hit me. Not really," he began, voice low. "They just... kept asking questions."
"About what?" Grace asked, kneeling in front of him.
"About Dad," Ashy said.
Luna's heart skipped. "What about him?"
"They wanted to know what he told you. If he left anything behind."
Grace looked away. Luna felt her mother tense beside her.
"They said if I didn't talk... they'd come for you next."
Luna felt a chill. Steve's face darkened. His jaw clenched, and he stepped forward.
"They won't," Steve said firmly. "They won't touch your family again."
"How did you find him?" Luna asked, eyes on Steve.
Steve glanced at Marcus.
"We tracked a number," Marcus said. "One of the men used a cheap burner phone. Gideon has contacts. We followed a trail."
"Got to an old house at the edge of town," Steve added. "He was tied up in a room. They ran when they heard us coming."
"You risked yourself?" Luna asked softly.
Steve shrugged. "It had to be done."
Luna looked at him, her heart pulling. She didn't know what to say. But in that moment, something between them shifted.
She saw more than the cold billionaire.
She saw the man.
The room was quiet after Ashy fell asleep.
Luna stepped outside for air. The night breeze was soft against her skin, but her thoughts were loud. Too loud.
Steve joined her, standing a few steps away.
"I didn't know you cared that much," Luna said quietly, not looking at him.
Steve shoved his hands in his pockets. "I didn't know either… until I saw your face when he was missing."
Luna turned to him. "You don't even know us."
"I know enough," he said, looking straight at her. "You didn't owe me anything when you saved my grandmother. But you did. This… was me returning that favor."
Luna folded her arms. "That's not why you came. You didn't do this out of debt."
Steve didn't answer.
"I saw how you looked when you found him," she said. "You were angry. Scared. You were… different."
He took a step closer. "Maybe I was."
Luna's heart thudded in her chest.
For a moment, they just stood there—two different worlds, slowly drawing closer.
"I don't know what's happening between us," Steve said, voice low. "But… I don't want it to stop."
Luna blinked. "You think there's something?"
He gave a faint smile. "I think you already know the answer."
Luna looked at him — and for the first time, saw him not as a billionaire, not as her mother's boss… but as Steve.
Flawed. Strong. Real.
"I'm not a girl that fits your world," she whispered.
"Maybe I'm the one who doesn't fit," he replied.
Their eyes locked. A silent promise hung in the air.
Something had begun.
Something neither of them could stop.
The next morning brought quiet warmth. Sunlight peeked through the windows. Grace hummed softly in the kitchen while Luna helped Ashy sit up in bed.
He looked better. Color had returned to his cheeks.
"Did you sleep well?" Luna asked.
Ashy nodded. "Better than I thought I would."
Grace walked in with a tray of food. "Your favorite," she said with a small smile — bread toast, boiled egg, and hot cocoa.
Ashy smiled faintly. "Thanks, Mama."
Grace turned to Luna and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her daughter's ear. "Now that Ashy's safe… it's time I kept a promise."
Luna raised her head. "What promise?"
"You're going back to school, Luna," Grace said.
Luna froze. "But… after everything?"
Grace nodded. "That's why you must. Your father always wanted it. You've carried so much, but you still deserve your dreams."
Luna swallowed back emotion. "But what about money?"
Steve appeared at the doorway. "That's taken care of."
Luna turned sharply. "No—"
"I didn't say I was paying your bills," Steve smirked. "But a scholarship application just opened. One I have influence over. You still have to earn it, though."
Luna narrowed her eyes, half-laughing. "That's cheating."
"It's helping," he said simply.
Ashy giggled. "Just say thank you, sis."
Grace placed a hand over her chest. "You can start small. Take weekend classes first. Ease into it."
Luna looked at them — her mother's firm but loving face, Ashy's hopeful smile, and Steve's quiet support.
And for the first time in weeks… she felt peace.
A future was waiting.
And she was ready to walk into it.
~~~~~