“She told me that she’s staying with Marcosias because she’s trying to gather information on him. She wants to get as much as she can before …” My voice trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence.
Orion’s eyes widened slightly, but then a glimmer of relief crossed his features.
“She’s … she’s working against him?” He let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “Thank Goodness. I was worried she was still caught up in his manipulation.”
“She’s realized her mistake, but it’s dangerous, Orion. I’m scared for her.”
“So am I.” His voice was low, almost a growl. “But I trust her. She’s smart, and she knows what’s at stake. We’ll protect her, Luna. I won’t let Marcosias take anything more from us.”
I nodded, but before I could say anything else, dizziness washed over me again. My vision blurred, and I swayed slightly on my feet.
“Luna!” Orion’s hand shot out, steadying me. “What’s wrong? Is it stress? Do we need to call a doctor?”
I shook my head, forcing a weak smile. “I’m fine … really. It’s probably just stress. Everything with Marcosias, and now Miranda. It’s just a lot to take in.”
“I don’t like this. I’m calling the doctor.” Orion’s brows furrowed.
“No,” I insisted, holding up a hand. “I don’t need a doctor, Orion. I’ll be okay. I just need to rest.”
He still looked unconvinced, but he didn’t press the issue further. I appreciated that, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that somethingwaswrong.
The next morning, I made a decision to go to the pharmacy, without telling Orion.
“I’m heading out for a bit,” I said casually, trying to keep my voice steady.
He looked up from his laptop. “Where are you going?”
“Just to run some errands,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Nothing major.”
"Take Jake with you," Orion says.
"I don't need a babysitter for a few errands," I say, trying to stay calm. He gave me a nod, still distracted by the work in front of him. I knew if I told him the truth, he’d want to come with me, or worse—stop me. I couldn’t risk that.
The moment I stepped into the pharmacy close to Orion’s condo, I felt like everyone could see right through me. I kept my head down, walking quickly through the aisles until I found what I was looking for. Pregnancy tests. My eyes scanned the shelf nervously.
"There it is," I whispered under my breath, reaching for the kit. My hand hovered for a moment, my heart pounding. "Okay, just grab it, Luna. No turning back now."
I picked it up and walked to the counter, trying to keep my face neutral. The cashier, a girl around my age with a bright smile, greeted me.
"Just this today?" she asked, scanning the box without missing a beat.
I nodded quickly, feeling my throat tighten. “Yeah, just this.”
She handed me the bag, still smiling like this was a normal purchase for me, like my whole world wasn’t about to change. "Good luck," she said casually, her voice friendly.
"Thanks," I mumbled, clutching the bag like it was the most fragile thing in the world. I walked straight to the bathroom at the back of the store, my legs shaky.
Once inside, I locked the door and leaned against it, staring at the bag in my hand. My mind raced.
“Alright, Luna,” I whispered to myself, pulling the test from the box. "You’ve got this. It’s just a test. No big deal, right?" My hands trembled as I read the instructions.
I did what I needed to do, then placed the test on the counter. My eyes stayed glued to it as if willing it to change. The waiting felt like forever.
“Come on, come on,” I muttered under my breath, pacing the small bathroom. My heart was beating so fast I could hear it in my ears. "What if it’s positive? What if it’s not? What if—”
I glanced down at the test, and there they were—two pink lines.
My breath caught in my throat. “Oh my God. No way.”