Chapter 22 22
FREYA POV
“It’s really Luna.” “Yes, my daughter.”
I didn't just walk; I ran. My feet pounded against the floor until I reached her, collapsing to my knees to meet her at her size. I still couldn’t believe it. My hands were shaking as I reached out, grabbing her tiny shoulders just to make sure she was solid, that she was really here.
"Luna... Luna," I muttered her name over and over again.
As we crashed into a hug, those motherly hormones surged through me, a fierce, protective heat that made my chest ache. I fought back the tears, refusing to let them blur this moment. I had no idea how Steve had pulled this off, or what he’d had to do to get her here, but all that mattered was that my daughter was right here in my arms.
I closed my eyes and embraced the moment. I was so glad she ran back to me. Now I could finally believe that her telling me she hated me was just the angry words of a child.
Over Luna’s shoulder, I looked up at Steve. I expected a look of triumph, or maybe a soft smile, but his face was completely neutral—unreadable and cold. Without saying a word, he turned and walked away from the living room, leaving the rest of us behind.
The two women I didn't recognize stayed with Nana. They were watching us with soft, warm expressions, clearly touched by the reunion. Well, everyone except the lady who had stepped in first. She was still spinning in circles, her eyes glued to the high ceilings and the expensive art, looking like she still hadn't seen enough of the mansion’s luxury.
I don’t know how long I held her, but Luna was the one who broke the embrace. She leaned back just an inch and whispered into my ear, "Mum... I'm choking."
The whisper was just loud enough that the others heard it, and a small ripple of chuckles broke out around us. I pulled back, my hands moving to her face, then her arms, checking her over. A wave of relief washed over me. She wasn't pale or thin; she looked healthy, vibrant, and well-fed.
"I'm sorry, Luna," I started.
"Mum, I'm sorry," she said at the exact same time.
We both stopped, a small, watery laugh escaping me. It was so typical of us. I held her cheeks in my palms, looking deep into her eyes.
"I’m so sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have broken your phone. Mummy was just... I was so upset and—"
"It’s fine, Mum! I’m sorry I screamed at you."
I smiled and pulled her into a quick hug again before she broke free.
“I love the new phone you got for me," she said, her eyes sparking with excitement.
I froze, my thumb stalling on her cheek. "The one... I got for you?"
"Yes! And I also love the giant white teddy bear you bought for me. He's so soft!"
I sat there, completely baffled, watching as Luna started listing off a dozen different things "I" had supposedly bought for her. New clothes, toys, books—things I hadn't even seen, let alone paid for. I didn't understand a word of it until she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and added, "Aunty Diana said you're taking me to watch The Lion King on ice this weekend, too!"
"Aunty Diana?" I repeated.
I stood up slowly, my legs still feeling like jelly, and looked at the woman Luna had just called "Aunty Diana." She took a confident step toward me with a smirk that told me she knew exactly who I was.
"We meet again," she said.
I searched her face, totally blank. "I’m sorry... have we met before?"
She laughed, a rich, easy sound. "At the gym. You didn't seem to notice me then, because my brother managed to 'camp' you well," Diana said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
I was confused for a second, but then it clicked. This had to be the cousin Nana mentioned. God, she was gorgeous—tall, lean, and dressed in an outfit that made her look breathtaking. Everything about her screamed class.
"Aunty Diana said you were busy with work and stuff," Luna piped up, tugging on my robe to get my attention. "But Daddy seemed really worried about you the whole time."
"Oh... really?" I whispered, my heart doing a weird little flip.
And gradually, I started to get it. All those questions Steve had asked me about Luna, the tiny details about her favorite things—he had used every bit of it to win her over on my behalf. He’d sent her all those gifts and made her believe they were from me. He had made me the hero in her eyes while he did all the heavy lifting.
I glanced over at the other woman. She was apparently Luna’s new teacher, tagging along to make sure she was in safe hands.
Luna wouldn't stop talking. She had so much to say about all the "amazing things" I had done for her in just a few days. "Mummy, I love the books you sent!" "Mummy, thank you for the dress!" I just kept nodding and giving her a shaky smile, my chest tight with a mix of relief and a massive debt I didn't know how to repay.
In the middle of the chaos, Nana called for Ben. He came out with a huge grin, bowing low to Luna like she was royalty. "And what would the little princess love to have?" Ben asked, laughing. "I can cook anything... I even know how to make Cocomelon rice!"
Luna started giggling, and for a moment, the house felt alive. But my mind was already drifting. It had been nearly an hour since they arrived, and Steve hadn't come back out. My eyes kept wandering toward his wing of the house, wondering what he was doing.
Diana noticed. She gave me a knowing look and a gentle nudge. "Go on," she smiled, reaching down to pick up Luna. "I’ve got her."
I didn't need to be told twice. I headed up the stairs, my heart hammering against my ribs the closer I got to his door. I stood there for a second, took a breath, and knocked.
The door opened almost instantly. Steve stood there, completely bare-chested, wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung joggers. His skin was still slightly damp, and he looked absolutely exhausted, but his presence was still so overwhelming it made me dizzy.
I looked up at him, my voice barely coming out. "Thank you... for Luna."
Steve didn't say anything at first. He just stood there, his chest rising and falling slowly. His face was a complete mask—totally neutral, like we were just two strangers who happened to be standing in the same hallway. There was no warmth, no "you're welcome," not even a hint of the man who had pinned me to the counter days ago.
Finally, he gave a short, dismissive nod. "It’s fine," he said, his voice flat and gravelly. "Go spend time with your daughter, Freya."
He said it and his hand moved to the edge of the door to swing it shut. He was closing the door on me, literally and figuratively. But before the door could click shut, I reached out. My hand clamped onto the handle, forcing it to stay open.
I said, staring straight at his face, "Are you avoiding me?"