Chapter 18 Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Chapter 18

Santiago’s POV

He looked unusually pleased, constantly glancing at his phone as though he’d just received good news. He was the first to suggest that the little girl should be made Luna since she was our mate, so I could imagine how disappointed he’d been when he had to retract those words because of the rumors spreading in the news.

“You did well,” they all commended me.

I shook my head slightly. “Don’t thank me. I think the same as you,” I said quietly under my breath.

“Hm?” They didn’t catch what I said, but I wasn’t about to repeat myself.

“This meeting is over now, right?” I asked, a wicked grin tugging at my lips.

“Of course, yes. Now all we need to do is set a date to officially crown her as Luna.” The room instantly filled with laughter and cheerful smiles.

Everyone stood up, raising their glasses of wine for a toast. They even toasted Alex and Maximus, but the two of them looked too stunned to react.

I smirked, easily reading what was going through their minds.

When the meeting ended and everyone left, I returned to the main building.

I had barely sat down when Alex came rushing in, excitement lighting up his face as he dropped beside me.

“Wow, you’re amazing,” he said, grinning wide.

“I thought you were about to do something stupid for once,” Maximus muttered from the side, earning a sharp glare from me.

“Who’s stupid?” I snapped with a snort.

But deep down, I knew Maximus wasn’t wrong. I really had almost acted foolishly by letting people’s words cloud my judgment about that girl.

Who am I? I’m Santiago. No one dictates how I think. But lately, I’d been letting others influence me.

I’d forgotten my own principles and even started doubting her.

Thinking back on everything that happened since she came, I felt nothing but embarrassment.

Even if that girl had truly been as wild as the rumors claimed, we still wouldn’t have had a choice. She was our mate, and rejecting her could have led to our deaths.

Thankfully, I overheard her conversation with the old chef. If not for that, I wouldn’t have had any reason to forgive her.

Maximus seemed to read my thoughts. “You’re just stubborn, that’s all,” he said flatly.

I smiled faintly but didn’t bother replying. He probably knew that things worked out not because I was clever, but because fate had helped me overhear the truth at the right time.

“Puff.” I leaned back on the couch, closing my eyes for a moment of peace.

Then Alex’s teasing voice cut through the silence. “So, are we taking her to the new place?”

I opened one eye and gave him a sharp look.

Maximus quickly joined in. “Why even ask? Of course yes. We’re moving to a new house, it only makes sense to take her along.”

I let out a short laugh and glared at him. “Did you even bother asking for my opinion before deciding?”

Maximus chuckled roughly. “Why should we ask you? Don’t start feeling too important. You’re not.”

“Of course, I am,” I said, smirking.

“No, you’re not,” Maximus countered immediately.

“Hey, stop it,” Alex interrupted. “Shouldn’t we invite Amira to start living here with us before we move? I’ll call her now.” He stood and made for the door.

Before he could take another step, Maximus grabbed him by the arm. I almost joined in but decided against it when Maximus already had him cornered.

“Hey, stop! Don’t hit me!” Alex said quickly, raising his hands over his head.

“I’ll keep hitting you until you start using your brain. Why call her without asking us first?” Maximus scolded.

“You just said not to ask Santiago’s opinion, so I didn’t think it mattered,” Alex protested.

“Then why didn’t you just ask mine?” Maximus shot back.

I sighed at their childish banter and stood up to leave. There were far more important things for me to do than watch them bicker.

Alex’s reminder made me recall our plan to move houses. With everything that had happened, the rumors, the curse, and finding our mate, we had pushed aside every other plan we’d made.

Now that I remembered, I knew I had to contact the people handling the construction.

We wouldn’t normally think of leaving this mansion that had stood for decades, but its size no longer suited us. It was far too big and outdated for what we needed now.

We wanted something new, something more modern, filled with the latest designs and technology.

“Hello,” I said as I dialed the number of the main contractor for the new house.

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Amira’s POV

A week later

The days dragged by slowly. For the past week, every day had been almost identical, quiet, dull, and uneventful. The only thing that changed was the gossip about the newspaper issue.

I had grown used to their stares and whispers, even the hurtful ones.

Chef Willow was right. Even if I couldn’t control everything, I should learn to let go of what I could and stop caring about others’ opinions. Since I started doing that, I hadn’t exactly felt happy, but at least I wasn’t miserable anymore.

Just like every other morning, I woke up and got ready. But today felt different for some reason.

As I went downstairs, everyone I passed greeted me warmly, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.

“Good morning,” they greeted cheerfully.

“Good morning,” I replied with a small smile.

I couldn’t help but pout a little. Their greetings felt unusually warm this morning, and it made me wonder what had changed. Did the moon rise earlier than usual or something?

Before I even realized it, my feet had carried me to the kitchen. At least there, I could see Chef Willow.

“Ah, you’re here,” Chef Willow said brightly, his voice carrying the same happiness I felt upon seeing him.

Well, this was new. Ever since that day I read the newspaper and poured my heart out to him, Chef Willow had always looked at me with worry—no matter how much he tried to hide it. But this time was different. His smile reached his eyes. I could tell he was genuinely excited.

“Old man, did you win a lottery today?” I teased playfully.

He laughed, his eyes twinkling. “Haha, something even better than that.”

I grinned mischievously. “Ah, tell me. Your win is my win too.”

Chef Willow chuckled heartily and gestured for me to sit down. Then he walked over to the shelf, the same one where I had picked that newspaper the other day, and brought me another paper.

I squinted suspiciously. “You’re letting me read this because you enjoy seeing me cry again, huh?” I joked, though my voice already carried a hint of emotion.

If he noticed the slight crack in my tone, he didn’t show it. Instead, he smiled and urged, “Go on, read it out loud.”

Well, since he wanted me to, I would.

I began reading the headline, but my voice faltered halfway through.

“Ex-fiancée of the Silverpine is found innocent.”

My lips froze. The words blurred as I stopped reading aloud and continued silently, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.

Was this real? Was I truly cleared of all those lies?

How could this happen? Not that I wasn’t overjoyed—it just felt too good to be true.

What was Aphia playing at? He was the one who had ruined me, and now he was the one clearing my name?

My eyes welled up with tears as I turned to Chef Willow. “Old man, tell me this is true?”

He laughed softly and nodded. “Yes, child. It’s true.”

A rush of emotion swept through me. I shot to my feet and screamed in excitement, not caring who might hear me.

No one could ever understand the weight that had been lifted off me in that moment. Being wrongly accused and judged was unbearable—and now, finally, I was free.

I could breathe again. I could walk with my head high without the shadow of shame following me everywhere.

Lost in my emotions, I didn’t even notice someone watching me from a distance. And even if I had, I wouldn’t have cared.

“Old man, I’m so happy,” I said, throwing my arms around Chef Willow. I hugged him carefully, mindful of his age.

He patted my back warmly. “Child, I’m happy for you too. Now tell me, what would you like to eat?” His voice was full of pride and joy.

His kindness made my heart swell.

“Anything,” I replied with a soft laugh. Honestly, I didn’t care what I ate. Nothing could ruin this feeling. Food didn’t matter right now.

But Chef Willow shook his head stubbornly as he tied his apron. “I’m not making just anything for you. You’ll have the best meal to celebrate.”

I didn’t argue, it was Chef Willow, after all. No one could ever win against him in the kitchen.

I helped by passing ingredients while he cooked, and soon the kitchen filled with the most delicious aroma. It was so rich and mouthwatering that I was sure anyone passing outside would smell it too.

When he served my portion, I wasted no time digging in. It tasted even better than it smelled.

After eating, I insisted on washing the dishes despite his protests. When everything was clean, I stayed behind to chat with him for a while before wandering around the house.

For the first time in a long while, I felt no weight on my shoulders. Before today, I’d always felt watched, like invisible eyes were judging my every move. But now, I felt light, free, and alive.

Even though I was alone, I was surrounded by a quiet happiness, the peace that comes from the truth finally being revealed.

And deep down, I still believed it was Aphia who had cleared my name.