Luna's POV
The days that followed blurred together, each one feeling colder than the last. Alexander's presence, once magnetic and complicated, now felt oppressive. His every glance reminded me of the line I dared not cross, and his every word was a sharp reminder of my role in his life.
I became what he wanted—a silent, obedient shadow who existed only to fulfill his desires. I hated it. Hated the way I felt like a hollow version of myself, hated the way his indifference burned worse than his cruel words. But most of all, I hated that a part of me still wanted his approval, his attention, his warmth.
It was late one evening when things came to a head. I was sitting in the dimly lit living room, a book open in my lap that I wasn't really reading. My thoughts were elsewhere, swirling with resentment and confusion.
The sound of footsteps approaching made my heart jump, though I quickly schooled my expression into one of indifference. Alexander entered the room, his suit jacket gone, his tie slightly loosened. His eyes locked on me instantly, and I felt the weight of his gaze as he crossed the room.
"Why are you sitting here in the dark?" he asked, his tone as detached as ever.
"I wasn't aware I needed your permission to sit," I replied, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.
He stopped, his expression hardening. "Watch your tone, Luna."
I closed the book with a snap, standing to face him. "What does it matter, Alexander? Isn't that what you want from me? To sit quietly, do as I'm told, and never challenge you?"
His eyes narrowed, and I saw the flash of anger there, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, the air between us crackling with tension.
"Do you enjoy testing me?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Maybe I do," I shot back, my frustration boiling over. "Because it's the only time I ever get a reaction from you. At least when you're angry, you're not treating me like some lifeless object."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might walk away, but instead, he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "You forget yourself, Luna. This isn't a game. You're here because you agreed to be here. Don't start acting like a victim now."
I flinched at his words, the sting of them cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. "You're right," I said bitterly. "I did agree to this. But I didn't agree to feel like I'm losing myself in the process."
His expression flickered—just for a moment—but the cold mask quickly returned. "Then maybe you need to remind yourself why you're here," he said, his tone as sharp as ice. "You wanted security. A future. I gave you both. You don't get to complain about the cost now."
I clenched my fists, anger and hurt warring inside me. "Is that all I am to you? A transaction? A means to an end?"
"You're whatever I need you to be," he said flatly, his eyes locking onto mine. "Nothing more."
The finality of his words knocked the air out of me. I stared at him, searching for any trace of the man I thought I had seen glimpses of—the one who had smiled faintly when I played the piano, who had softened for just a moment when I spoke of my past. But that man was nowhere to be found.
"Why do you do this?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Why do you push me away every time I try to understand you?"
He didn't answer right away, and for a fleeting second, I thought I saw something in his eyes—regret, maybe, or guilt. But whatever it was, he buried it quickly.
"You don't need to understand me, Luna," he said coldly. "You just need to do as you're told."
I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to stand tall even as my heart shattered. "Then I hope you're happy with your toy, Alexander," I said, my voice trembling with barely contained emotion. "Because that's all you'll ever have."
I turned and walked away before he could see the tears threatening to spill.
Alexander's POV
I watched her leave, the echo of her words lingering in the room. I hope you're happy with your toy.
She didn't see the way my fists clenched at my sides, or how her tears—tears I caused—gnawed at something deep inside me. I had told myself this was for the best, that keeping her at arm's length was the only way to protect both of us from the inevitable fallout of whatever this was between us.
But watching her walk away, broken and angry, made me question everything.
I downed the rest of my drink, the burn doing nothing to dull the ache in my chest. Luna was right—I pushed her away every time she got too close. Because if I let her in, she'd see the truth. And I couldn't let that happen.
I couldn't let her see the man beneath the mask. The man who was already falling for her, despite everything I'd done to stop it.