Chapter 14 Chapter 14
And exactly two months later, her birthday party arrived.
It was the worst birthday of her life as far as she could recall. Because from that day onward, she was going to become someone else and lose her freedom once and for all. For the past two months, she had been contemplating the true intentions of that man.
But she had failed to understand his real reasons.
Other than that he wanted to make her regret, she couldn’t think of anything else.
She was sitting on the stairs, away from all the guests and the tumult of the party. That was very unlike her. She used to be a charismatic and social person—always crashing other people’s parties, even uninvited.
But now she wasn’t even present at her own party?
Perhaps this was what he wanted. And he was achieving his aim before even beginning. Because her current situation wasn’t any less than torture.
“What a clever manipulator.” Luna Hart’s lips curled slightly.
Sierra Lane walked to the stairs searching for her. Seeing her sitting there with a cold smile, Sierra sighed and sat beside her.
“Luna, you shouldn’t drink that much,” Sierra said lightly.
Luna maintained her smile as she took another big gulp from the bottle.
“Can’t a girl even live out the last night of her life?” she slurred. She grinned and rested her head on Sierra’s shoulder. “Sisi, you’ve been such a good friend. I wonder what good karma I earned in my last life to have a friend like you.”
Luna would only say something this sentimental when she wasn’t sober.
“What do you mean by that? I will always be your friend. Why are you saying it like this suddenly?” Sierra felt a rush of anger at her stubborn friend.
“Who knows when I’ll see you again?” Luna rolled her eyes.
“Why are you talking like this? He asked you to be his mistress, not his prisoner. I can always visit you. In fact, I’ll come every weekend. I’d like to see him try to stop me.” Sierra’s lips pressed into a thin line as she eyed the half-empty bottle in Luna’s hands. “You know bad things happen when you drink.”
“Bad things?” Luna wanted to laugh. She was already drunk to the limit, and her emotions were spilling out. “What could be worse than my current situation?”
Sierra glanced at her, unsure how to comfort her. If there was anyone besides Luna who knew the whole situation, it was Sierra. And even she couldn’t understand why Damian Blackwell wanted Luna to be his mistress.
“You know that man—Damian Blackwell…” Sierra began, trying to ease her. “He isn’t that bad. Rumors aren’t always true. You know that?”
Luna smiled to herself.
“This is the moment you’ll regret for the rest of your life,” she said, lifting the bottle with a mocking smile.
“What?”
Luna looked Sierra in the eyes. There was a smile on her cherry-red lips, but her eyes held nothing but sadness.
“These were the words he said to me right after I slapped him.”
Sierra was stunned. “Did he really say that? Luna, maybe you’re mixing things up?” She cared deeply for Luna—more than family. She was terrified for her.
“I wish I were.” Luna laughed.
“Lulu…” Sierra whispered.
Luna saw the emotions in Sierra’s eyes—pity, sorrow, regret.
Ever since Sierra learned the name of the fearsome man Luna had slapped that day, she had blamed herself. She blamed herself for leaving Luna alone for even a moment in her drunk state. She blamed herself for Luna’s misfortune.
But Luna was tired of seeing those emotions in her family’s eyes.
Self-blame, pity, regret.
“Isn’t it funny?” Luna suddenly said. “I wonder what he’s going to do to make me regret for the rest of my life.” She chuckled and lifted the bottle for another gulp.
But Sierra didn’t let her.
“Come here,” she whispered, her voice full of pain as she pulled Luna into a hug.
“I’m always here for you, alright? I won’t let him do anything to you. I’ll use everything the Lane family has to keep you safe. You know we have connections.” Sierra said anything she could to calm her.
In the warmth of her friend’s hug, Luna felt a stinging sensation. Her eyes watered. She let her tears fall, but she still smiled.
Sierra didn’t know Luna had already accepted her fate.
“This was all brought upon me by my own stupidity.” Luna wiped her tears and laughed weakly. “So I have to deal with it. You don’t need to carry the burden.”
“But Lulu…” Sierra took a deep breath and finally said what she had come for. “Please behave your best in front of him. You know his power. If you anger him, he might do something terrible to you.” After a pause, she added softly, “Or to your family.”
Sierra had to say it. Because no matter how powerful the Lane family was, before Damian Blackwell, it was nothing.
“Don’t worry, I won’t bring any more harm to my family.”
Luna understood Sierra’s concern. Damian Blackwell had the power to have anyone killed for offending him without fearing consequences. Luna might not care about her own life—her pride had always mattered more. But her family was something she dearly loved—something she would sacrifice everything for.
And if her family was in danger, she was willing to give up everything and play by his rules.