Chapter 20 Chapter 20
ANNA’S POV
Elijah's words hit me like a blade straight to the heart.
“Tell me, Anna… did you sleep with my brother?”
For a second, I couldn’t breathe. My mouth opened, but no sound came out. I stared at Elijah, my hands still holding the fruit basket, my fingers trembling so badly I thought it might fall.
How did he find out?
Did Damon tell him? Did he do it to hurt me—or worse, to make Elijah jealous? That sounded like something Damon would do, but I knew he wouldn't do that to me.
Someone else had told him.
“Elijah…” I finally muttered, my throat dry. “It’s not what you think.”
He gave a sharp, bitter laugh. “Not what I think? Then tell me what it is, Anna. Because everyone’s talking about you, my brother—one night, together. Tell me how that’s not what I think.”
The way he said it made me feel small. My chest hurt. My heartbeat was loud in my ears.
I shook my head fast. “No, it’s not true. I mean, it wasn’t supposed to happen.”
His jaw tightened.
His eyes burned with anger. “So it did happen.”
I froze. I wanted to lie. I wanted to tell him no, that the person who told him had made it up—but the truth sat heavy on my tongue.
“Elijah, please,” I tried again, stepping closer. “I didn’t know it was him. I swear to the Moon Goddess, I didn’t.”
His expression hardened. “You didn’t know it was my brother?” He stepped closer until the space between us disappeared. “You didn’t know who you were sleeping with?”
My lips trembled and I forced the words out. “After you betrayed me… after you chose my best friend over me, I left. I left the castle that night and went to a club. I just wanted to forget everything. I met a man there—a stranger. I didn’t even see his face properly. I didn’t know it was Damon.”
Tears filled my eyes, but I kept going, my voice shaking. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. I was drunk, angry, and broken on the inside. And when I found out who he was, I felt sick. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t. You were already with Amanda.”
Elijah’s face didn’t soften. If anything, it went blank—too calm, too quiet.
That was worse than shouting.
I stepped forward again, desperately. “Please, believe me. I didn’t cheat on you. I didn’t even know—”
“Stop!” His voice was sharp enough to cut through the air. “Stop trying to explain it to me, Anna. I don’t want to hear any more word from you.”
I stopped breathing for a second. “Elijah…”
He turned away. The look in his eyes wasn’t anger anymore. It was pain.
“You think saying it like that makes it better?” he said, almost laughing. “You think telling me you slept with a stranger makes it less disgusting?”
Tears rolled down my cheeks before I could stop them. “I said I was sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t erase it.”
He shook his head, running his hand through his hair. “I gave you my trust, Anna. I defended you when no one else did. I told myself you were different. I told myself that you were innocent—better than the rest.”
My chest ached at his words. “I was. I still am. Elijah, you don’t understand. Damon—”
“Don’t you dare blame him,” he snapped, turning back to me. “Don’t make this about my brother. You made a choice.”
My lips parted, but no words came.
Elijah slowly looked at me like I was a stranger and it broke me. “I don’t want anything to do with you anymore,” he addes quietly.
The world around me blurred. “No… Elijah, please don’t say that.”
He took a step back when I reached out to touch him. “Don’t!”
Then he turned and walked away.
Each step he took away from me felt like something breaking inside my chest.
When the door closed behind him, I stood there alone in the garden, staring at nothing. My knees felt weak.
He was gone.
And it was my fault.
I sank to the grass, hugging the basket to my chest like it could hold me together. The fruits inside rolled out and scattered, but I didn’t care.
The man I loved hated me.
Maybe it was better this way. Maybe now he could finally love Amanda—his Luna, the woman he was meant to be with.
I wasn’t meant for him. I was just a maid who had crossed a line that should never have been crossed.
The sound of slow, deliberate clapping suddenly broke the silence.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
I stiffened.
The hairs on the back of my neck rose and I turned slowly. Amanda stood there at the edge of the garden path, dressed in a perfect silver gown that sparkled under the sunlight. Her hair was styled neatly, her lips painted a deep red. She was smiling—but it wasn’t the smile of a best friend.
It was the smile of a mischievous person.
“Amanda?” I called out, wiping my tears. “What are you doing here?"
She didn’t stop clapping, and I was forced to ask again. “What are you clapping for?” I asked weakly.
“For the show,” she answered with a small laugh. “I saw everything. That was… touching. Really.”
I blinked. “You saw…?”
She tilted her head. “You and Elijah. The way he looked at you. The way you begged him like a fool. I almost felt sorry for you.”
Her words cut through me, but I tried to ignore the sting. “I’m happy for you, Amanda,” I said quietly, forcing a smile. “Really... You’re the Luna now. You deserve it.”
She stopped clapping.
Her eyes narrowed at me.
“What did you say?”
“I said congratulations,” I replied softly, walking toward her. “Even though I… even though I wanted to be the Luna once, I’m glad it’s you. You’re still my best friend.”
For a second, I thought I saw something flicker in her eyes—something dark.
Then she smiled again, but this time it wasn’t kind. “Your best friend?” she repeated. “That’s cute.”
I stopped walking when she took a step closer. The space between us felt colder suddenly.
“You think you can call me that?” she questioned, her voice lower now, sharper. “After everything? After trying to steal Elijah away from me?”
My eyes widened. “Amanda, I never—”
She raised her hand slightly, silencing me.
“No,” she said slowly, her smile returning, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “If you’re really my best friend, then prove it.”
I frowned in confusion. “Prove it?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Right now!”
Her gaze darkened.
“Get on the floor!” she ordered calmly, her eyes filled with so much mischief, “Get on the floor and kiss my feet.”
The words hit me like ice.
I froze where I stood, unable to move or breathe.
For a moment, I thought I’d misheard her. But her eyes told me I hadn’t. She was serious. My mouth opened slightly in shock, my heart pounding in my chest.
Amanda just stood there, smiling.
And in that moment, I realized the friend I once loved and adored was gone.