The Intrepid Luna and the Machiavellian Alpha

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losion. Luna looked up from her book, her gaze fixing on the clock in the living room. 10:48 p.m.

roached the entrance. When Ethan finally appeared, he looked exhausted. His shoulders sagged slightly, his tie was untied, and a disturbing shadow wei

in a neutral tone, crossing her

s if considering the question with suspicion. "Yes, sorr

l perfume wafted through the air, stopping his breathing. It w

ptly, following him into the living roo

s slowing imperceptibly before he tu

hes from him. She reached out and brus

s not yours. It's

ing his head and placing his jacket on the back of a chair. "Probably someone

oment. She studied his face, searching for a flaw, a nonverbal admission in his expression. Nothi

lieve it's just... an

"What do you want me to say, Luna? I work long hours

s neither defensive nor conciliatory. Just tired,

ly do they include? » she asked, her ton

late. "I don't have the energy for that tonight. The meetings, the repor

ike you're hiding s

p. Ethan looked away, shaking his head befor

a. Why does everything have to become a question? A su

r at turning the situation around, making her feel guil

erstand either. You come home late, you avoid my questions, an

at do you want ? That I tell you exactly where I was every minute of my day

in front of him. "No, but trust

he distant ticking of the clock. Ethan finally look

We'll talk about it

in her head like a silent accusation. When she heard the bathr

a coincidence. It wasn't just "nothing." Isabella. The name floated through his mind like poison. Since

jacket he had left downstairs and held it to her nose. The smell was there, subtl

ressed in his pajama pants and a t-shirt, h

ted, visibly annoyed. "

ain to me, Ethan. Because I'm not stupid, and

a mountain out of nothing. I already explained. It's the stress, the work, the late

u think that's normal? You come home late, you smell a perfume that's no

use I haven't done anything wrong! »

look me in the eyes

a mask. He placed his hands on his

Everything is under

at he was saying. He turned away, leaving her alone with her dou