My Cold-Hearted Husband Wants Me Back

Lunara’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the chair, an involuntary gesture. She glanced at Seraphine, who was watching her closely, a raised brow signaling that she was waiting for some sort of explanation. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Lunara cleared her throat, trying to hide her unease with an awkward laugh. "I... I don’t know either. It all got pretty chaotic."

Seraphine leaned forward, clearly interested. "Chaotic? I heard the photographer was getting a bit too handsy with someone at the shoot. And then things escalated quickly when Eryx found out. Is that true?"

Lunara’s pulse quickened at the mention of Eryx, but she kept her composure. She didn’t want to give too much away.

"Something like that," she said with a casual shrug. "People just... sometimes overstep."

Seraphine tilted her head, watching her carefully. "I heard the photographer was actually trying to get close to Eryx’s wife." She paused, letting the words hang in the air. "Crazy, right? I didn’t even know he was married back then."

Lunara froze for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. The mention of Eryx’s wife made her feel like her secret was teetering on the edge of exposure. She managed a small smile, keeping her tone light.

"I’m not sure about all that. I wasn’t really there... I mean, I was changing at the time."

Seraphine eyed her carefully, clearly picking up that Lunara was holding something back. But she didn’t press. Instead, she nodded and let out a dramatic sigh.

"Well, it’s just strange. Everyone disappeared after that day. It’s like no one wants to talk about it anymore."

Lunara’s smile tightened, and she let out a quiet, steady breath. "Sometimes it’s better that way."

"Why are you still here? The designer is waiting for you," a woman called from the entrance, tapping Seraphine lightly on the back.

"Ah, I was just catching up with a fellow model," Seraphine replied with a bright smile, her gaze lingering on Lunara for a moment longer than necessary. "See you again, Lunara."

Lunara nodded and stood slightly, watching the two women walk toward the elevator.

"She’s a model? Have I met her before?" Weyna, her assistant asked, glancing over her shoulder toward Lunara, who was now quietly staring at the floor.

"No," Seraphine replied, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "Not even officially debuted yet."

"What do you mean?" Weyna arched a brow, her curiosity piqued.

Seraphine shrugged lightly, fixing a strand of hair behind her ear as they stepped into the elevator. "Just that I’ve got a feeling about her. Sometimes you meet someone, and you can tell they’re not exactly what they seem. She’s quiet, but there’s something about her, you know?"

Weyna looked at her, skeptical. "So you’re scouting now?"

Seraphine laughed, brushing off the comment. "Please, I have enough drama with my own agency. I just... think she’s interesting, that’s all."

As the elevator doors closed, Seraphine’s gaze flicked once more in Lunara’s direction, thoughtful, almost calculating, but softened by genuine curiosity. She didn’t want to step into Eryx’s world, but Lunara? Lunara might just be the kind of connection that mattered.

"Miss..." The receptionist approached Lunara with a slight bow of apology. "I’m sorry, but the CEO’s office hasn’t answered the call yet. I’ll try again shortly. Would you mind waiting just a few more minutes while I try to reach someone?"

Lunara offered her a polite smile and nodded. "It’s alright. I don’t mind waiting."

Ten minutes passed. Lunara started to get bored. She scrolled through her phone, but nothing caught her interest. With a sigh, she set it aside and glanced down at her heels, the pair Eryx had bought her.

A small smile tugged at her lips. They fit so perfectly, it was as if he had known her size before she did. She remembered how he hadn’t even asked, just handed her the box with that usual, quiet confidence of his.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ring of her phone. She blinked and reached for it, frowning slightly at the unknown number flashing on the screen.

"Hello?" she answered, cautiously.

"Mrs. Grantham?" a woman’s voice came through, a little breathless. "I’m so sorry to bother you. We’ve been trying to reach your husband, but we couldn’t get through. That’s why we called you."

Lunara’s brows furrowed. "My husband?"

The nurse didn’t pause. "Yes... your mother’s condition has worsened. She’s in critical condition now. We need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible."

Lunara’s breath caught. Everything else, the quiet lobby, the polished floor, even the hum of distant conversations, all faded into silence.

Panic surged through her. She stood abruptly, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she headed out. Just before reaching the door, she stared down at her phone screen.

"Eryx..." she muttered, quickly dialing his number.

It went straight to voicemail.

She didn’t have time to wait. Her mother couldn’t wait.

Shoving the phone back into her bag, Lunara rushed outside, her eyes scanning the road before she raised her hand to flag down a taxi.

The hospital’s corridors felt longer than ever, cold, sterile, and suffocating. Lunara rushed past the front desk and straight to the ICU wing, her chest tightening with every step.

A nurse spotted her near the secured doors and quickly approached. "Mrs. Grantham?"

"Yes," Lunara breathed out, barely able to speak.

The nurse’s expression shifted with sympathy. "Please... this way."

She followed the nurse through the sliding ICU doors. Each step echoed in her ears as they walked down the hallway to her mother’s unit. When they arrived, a doctor stepped out just before Lunara could reach the door.

"I’m sorry," the doctor said gently, his eyes lowering. "She passed away a few minutes ago. We did everything we could."

Lunara froze, the sterile lights above suddenly too bright. Her breath hitched, eyes locked on the glass door that separated her from her mother.

"I’m really sorry, I thought you might have come earlier when we informed your husband a few days ago..." The doctor’s words muffled in her ears.

"Sorry?" she frowned, her legs barely holding her up.

"We already informed your husband about your mother’s critical condition. Didn’t he tell you?"

Lunara shook her head, barely registering anything. Her mind was a blur as she turned, her legs moving on their own toward the room. She pushed the door open and stepped inside, the world around her fading.