Chapter 121 Luna’s Quiet Triumph

Chapter 121 Luna’s Quiet Triumph
Cora rested a hand over her belly. She didn’t answer Vivienne directly. Instead, she smiled softly.

“Vivienne, you’ve probably noticed this already,” she said gently. “I’ve always kept a certain distance from everything here. That way, when it’s time to leave… I won’t hesitate.”

“I did notice,” Vivienne replied after a pause. She studied Cora carefully. “If even I can tell… Julian must have sensed it too, right?”

Cora didn’t answer.

Whether Julian had noticed her detachment no longer mattered.

He had already gone back to Luna’s side. And Luna, after using her again and again, had finally gotten what she wanted.

Cora thought bitterly.
Then let this be it. Let this last shred of kindness repay nearly twenty years of friendship.

From this moment on, whatever existed between her and Luna was over.

If Vivienne hadn’t told her the truth, she might still be walking straight into Luna’s traps, smiling like a fool.

But now… it didn’t matter anymore.

If she chose to leave the Rio family, she would take her mother and disappear completely.

Her mother had already severed all ties with the Nebul family. There was nothing left holding them here.

Only one thing gave her pause.

The apartment Julian had bought for her mother.

It would have to be abandoned.

After a moment, Cora spoke again. “Vivienne, I need a favor.”

“Of course,” Vivienne said without hesitation. “If it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”

Cora took out her phone. “I want to transfer all my savings to you. I can’t go out right now, and I can’t handle this myself. I need you to open an account in my mother’s name and deposit the money there. This is for her future.”

Vivienne frowned. “You should keep it. You still have six months before the baby is born.”

“It’s fine.” Cora forced a faint smile. “The Rio family won’t let me suffer financially. I won’t need it. If I’m really leaving, I need to prepare in advance. You know Julian’s temperament. I don’t want this to cause trouble for you later.”

Vivienne glanced at the balance in Cora’s account.

It wasn’t a large sum by her standards. But this wasn’t about money.

This was trust.

“All right,” she said quietly. “I’ll take care of it.”

Cora transferred everything in her account to Vivienne.

Vivienne moved quickly, making a call to one of her people. Not long after, confirmation came through.

The money had been deposited into an account under Mila’s name.

At that exact moment, Julian’s expression darkened.

He had been chatting casually with several heirs from prominent business families when his phone vibrated.

The conversation stalled as the others looked at him in confusion.

Julian had set up special alerts on Cora’s account. Any movement of funds triggered an immediate notification.

Cora barely spent money.

And she was currently restricted from leaving the house.

Yet she had emptied her account.

The atmosphere around Julian dropped several degrees.

Nodin, who had been standing nearby, didn’t know the details. But he could guess the cause.

It had been a full week.

Julian and Cora still hadn’t reconciled.

This was far longer than any of their previous conflicts.

Was this time different?

Nodin quietly stepped aside and called the villa.

When he learned that Vivienne had visited Cora earlier and left shortly after, his instincts sharpened.

He returned to Julian and leaned in to report the information.

Just then, Luna approached with an elegant tray of tea and pastries. Her smile was bright and practiced.

“Sorry to keep everyone waiting,” she said softly. “Julian—”

Before she could finish, Julian stood up.

He didn’t explain. He didn’t look at her.

He simply walked away.

Nodin immediately stepped in. “Apologies, everyone. The CEO has an urgent matter to attend to. We’ll make it up to you another day.”

The guests exchanged puzzled looks.

They’d been in the middle of an important discussion.

But Julian was Julian.

Luna hurried after him. “Julian—”

“Stay away from me.”

He didn’t even glance at her.

Luna’s heart clenched. She had fought too hard to return to his side to let this slip away.

Seeing his anger, she guessed the cause immediately.

“Julian… I haven’t seen Cora in so long,” she said carefully. “I suddenly really miss her.”

His steps stopped.

He turned slowly.

The look in his eyes made Luna’s voice falter.

Julian studied her for a few seconds, then said coldly, “Follow me.”

And walked off.

For a split second, Luna thought she’d lost everything.

Then realization hit.

She hurried after him.

⸻

Cora had just seen Vivienne off when a car pulled up aggressively in front of the house.

Her breath caught.

Julian?

Why was he back?

Then she saw Luna stepping out beside him, her arm looped through his.

The familiar pain stabbed deep.

Cora looked away, unable to bear the sight.

“Ma’am…” Nodin approached, clearly uncomfortable. “The CEO said that Miss Luna is your old friend. He heard you’ve been feeling lonely lately, so he brought her here to stay with you for a few days.”

Stay here?

Cora looked up at Julian.

He knew everything.

And yet he still brought Luna into this house.

So this is it, she thought numbly.
This is how you’re telling me she’s the future mistress of this place.

Her gaze shattered.

Julian caught that brief flicker of devastation.

For a moment, his chest tightened.

Then the images Luna had shown him flashed through his mind.

The photos.

The past.

Hadn’t Cora nearly run off with Soren on their wedding day?

Now she was just waiting until after the baby was born.

She must have transferred the money to Soren. His company was in ruins. He needed cash.

Cora…
What is your heart made of?

I’ve never treated any woman like this.

And this is what you give me?

His voice turned deliberately cold. “There are plenty of empty rooms. You won’t mind, will you?”

Luna’s heart soared.

She had waited so long for this moment.

Everything that once belonged to Cora would soon be hers.

Julian didn’t look back.

He walked inside with Nodin.

Luna handed her suitcase to the housekeeper, Charlotte, then stepped in front of Cora, her posture subtly superior.

“Cora, I’m really sorry,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Please don’t be angry.”

She reached out to pat Cora’s shoulder.

Cora shoved her hand away.

Luna’s smile deepened.

“Oh dear,” she sighed theatrically. “Honestly, I’m a bit troubled too. Julian insists it’s unsafe for me to live alone. He made me move in. Ever since we got back together, he’s been so attentive. I didn’t expect it either.”

She leaned closer, lowering her voice.

“You’re leaving sooner or later anyway. So think of it as me moving in early… as the future lady of the house.”

In that moment, Cora finally understood.

When heartbreak sets in, the cold doesn’t just settle in your chest.

It seeps into your bones.

Charlotte stepped forward gently. “Ma’am, you’ve been standing for a long time. You should rest. Chairman Joan has been asking after you.”

Cora didn’t answer.

She simply nodded.

And turned away.