EVA.

Alex had been acting distant for a while now, and though it bothered me, I refused to dwell on it for too long. I shoved the unease aside, convincing myself there had to be a reasonable explanation.

He was probably busy with work.

Yes... that had to be it.

His company had always demanded a lot of his attention, and I had seen how intense things could get when business matters piled up. There was no need to overthink it.

My reflection stared back at me through the mirror, and slowly, a different thought replaced the lingering doubt.

That’s right.

He had promised me something important.

Ten percent of the company’s shares.

Just remembering it sent a flicker of excitement through me. I had even told Thomas about it, unable to hide my anticipation, and he had made it very clear...I had to make sure I secured it.

And yet...Alex hadn’t come to see me for days.

If he wouldn’t come to me, then I would go to him.

Simple.

A small smile formed on my lips as I leaned closer to the mirror. Carefully, I applied a bold shade of red lipstick, watching as it brought out a striking contrast against my skin. I added a touch of makeup, just enough to enhance my features without overdoing it.

Perfect.

Satisfied with my appearance, I stepped back slightly before slipping into a black lingerie. It hugged my body just right, accentuating every curve in a way I knew he liked.

After all, this had always worked before. It was one of the many reasons I had effortlessly outshined that dull Ella.

Without sparing another second, I turned and made my way toward his study. My steps were confident, deliberate, each one fueled by the certainty that Alex wouldn’t be able to resist me.

I didn’t bother knocking.

I pushed the door open.

Instantly, his gaze snapped toward me.

For a moment, I felt victorious.

His eyes lingered, fixed on me, and just as I expected, he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving visibly. A satisfied smile tugged at my lips as I walked closer, closing the distance between us.

Of course.

He couldn’t resist.

I moved without hesitation, settling onto his lap, my fingers brushing lightly against his shoulder as I prepared to lean in...

But before I could do anything, he shoved me away. The sudden force caught me off guard, and I staggered slightly, my eyes widening in shock.

"Dress properly, Eva," he said coldly, his tone sharp and unfamiliar. "You are Luna now. You cannot afford to be dressed like a slut."

I froze.

The words hit harder than I expected, leaving me momentarily speechless. My mind struggled to process what had just happened.

What... was that?

"I was only trying to help you relieve stress, Alex," I said after a moment, forcing myself to recover. "You’ve been looking worried lately."

But he didn’t even look at me.

"What do you want?" he asked instead, his attention already back on the files spread across his desk.

The dismissal stung.

"Nothing exactly," I replied, trying to steady my voice as I adjusted myself, subtly covering up. "I was just concerned about you, baby."

I paused briefly before adding, "And I also wanted to remind you about your promise...the shares."

That did it, as his expression darkened instantly.

"I don’t remember giving you that promise, Eva," he snapped, slamming his hand against the table.

I flinched.

My face paled as confusion and unease crept in.

What was wrong with him?

Why was he acting like this?

"Alex..." I called softly, trying to reach him, trying to understand.

But he cut me off before I could say anything else.

"I have a lot to attend to, Eva," he said, finally lifting his head, though the smile he gave me was forced, distant. "Leave my study."

The finality in his tone was unmistakable.

I stood there for a second, stunned, but I knew better than to push further.

Without another word, I turned and walked out, the door closing quietly behind me as the unease I had tried so hard to ignore slowly crept back in.

I rushed into my room, my steps quick and uneven, as a storm of emotions brewed inside me. The moment I got in, I slammed the door shut behind me and twisted the lock with force, as though I was trying to shut the entire world out along with it.

"To hell with you, Alex!" I yelled, my voice sharp and filled with frustration as it echoed within the walls of the room.

My hands curled into tight fists by my sides, my nails digging slightly into my palms as I tried to contain the anger rising within me. My chest rose and fell rapidly, each breath coming out heavier than the last.

Without wasting another second, I reached for my phone. My fingers moved swiftly across the screen, typing out a message with urgency.

> We need to talk. Something is definitely suspicious with Alex. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

I hit the send button immediately, not even bothering to reread what I had typed. My gaze stayed fixed on the screen as I waited, my impatience growing with every passing second.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three....

The reply came in.

> Could that something ruin our plan, baby? If so, be careful, and let’s meet up at the abandoned building beside Taurus Close.

I exhaled slowly, my grip on the phone tightening just a little. His words only confirmed what I already suspected, whatever was going on with Alex, it wasn’t something to ignore.

I nodded slightly to myself, even though no one was there to see it.

"Of course," I muttered under my breath.

Just as I was about to drop my phone and start getting dressed, another notification came in.

The sound of it made me pause.

I glanced down at the screen casually at first, but the moment I read the message, everything about my expression changed.

My mood shifted instantly.

A slow smile began to form on my lips, stretching wider with every second.

> I found her, baby. What should I do next?

There it was.

Exactly what I had been waiting for.

My fingers moved again, this time slower, more deliberate, as I typed out my response.

>> I want you to*******************************.

I hit send without hesitation.

A victorious smile spread fully across my face now, my earlier frustration completely replaced by a sense of control.

A moment later, his reply came in.

> Eva baby, I have always known you to be vicious, but with this... I would call you inhuman.

I let out a quiet chuckle under my breath as I read it, completely unfazed.

Another message followed.

> Consider it done.

That was all I needed to hear.

Satisfied, I tossed my phone onto the bed carelessly, the device bouncing slightly against the soft surface before settling.

My smile lingered as I turned away, already reaching for my clothes.

Whatever was coming next... I was ready for it.