Abandoned Luna: Now Untouchable-Chapter 294 Intentional Exposure

Cecilia’s pov

Just as the tension started to fade, the words "Miss Moore "Dropped like a bomb.

Luna Regina froze mid-sentence.Everyone behind her stopped cold.

No one spoke. No one moved.

The weight of that name echoed in the silence.

Sebastian was the first to snap out of it.

He stepped forward, calm and controlled."Mom."

She didn’t answer.

Instead, she turned and walked straight out of the shaded patio into the blazing sun like she didn’t feel a thing.

I glanced at Sebastian.

Everyone behind us kept trading looks, like they couldn’t tell if she’d just snapped or was faking calm.

Sebastian leaned toward me. "Let’s go. That guide over there looks like he’s waiting for us."

He took my hand and led me down the gravel path. The rest of the group followed, still stunned into silence.

I had no idea if Luna Regina had figured it out and was pretending not to, or if she really was that clueless.

But the way her shoulders stiffened, the way she refused to look back?

That didn’t feel like ignorance. It felt more like denial.

The guide gave us that polite little smile people wear when they’re about to destroy your will to live.

"It’s about a three-hour hike. Nothing too crazy."

He said it like he was offering us a pleasant stroll through a lavender field, not a grueling hike through the forest.

Silence.

"Three hours?" Harper practically choked."You’ve gotta be kidding."

We were already halfway up the mountain. What kind of retreat made you hike more after that?

The guide didn’t even flinch. He just turned around and started walking.

Still smiling, cheerful and totally merciless.

Either he was a saint, or he enjoyed watching rich people suffer. Maybe both.

Tang shrugged like it was nothing.

"If anyone runs out of steam, I’ll carry you."

"Dibs! " Zaria shouted, already climbing onto Tang’s back. "Three hours on foot? No thanks. I didn’t pack trauma insurance."

Before anyone else could blink, she was already climbing onto his back like it was some kind of Olympic event.

The rest of us just stared while she looked way too pleased with herself.

Meanwhile, Luna Regina was walking like she’d mentally left the planet.

York kept a steady hand on her elbow, his expression blank.

I sighed. She looked one pebble away from an epic faceplant.

I nudged Sebastian and gave him a look."Maybe say something to your mom?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

He didn’t even hesitate. "Let her handle it."

About five minutes in, another young staffer approached from the path ahead.

He and our guide exchanged polite nods, like Boy Scouts at a leadership retreat, then both turned and nodded to us.

This one must’ve been assigned to Maggie Locke’s group.

She was probably ten minutes behind us, just enough to make an entrance. Classic Maggie.

I couldn’t help wondering if she was really here for the retreat, or just looking for an excuse to show up.

Something about the timing felt too neat.

We hadn’t walked much further when Sebastian turned to me again.

"You’re not great with heat," he said." I’ll carry you."

Dead silence.

My face was already burning, and it wasn’t just the hike.

"I’m fine," I muttered, trying to put space between us. "Just walk."

Sebastian didn’t budge. "If you pass out halfway, I’ll have to drag you back down the mountain. I’m carrying you."

I shot him a look and mouthed: Shut. Up.

He grinned like he’d just won a prize.

Luna Regina kept walking like she’d achieved enlightenment.

Not a word. Not a glance sideways.

She just kept moving like she’d already accepted her fate and everyone else could catch up.

Tang ended up carrying Harper and Zaria in turns. And judging by their smiles? They were definitely enjoying it a little too much.

"We’re almost there," The guide called out.

Right. He’d said that forty minutes ago. I was starting to think "almost " was a myth.

We finally made it to the retreat center, just before we all melted into the ground.

It was an old wooden lodge tucked between towering trees, shaded by moss-covered branches.

No golden statues or souvenir stands, just the quiet smell of cedar and the hush of the forest.

The moment we stepped inside, the temperature dropped.

The guide led us to a screened dining porch.

"We’ll start with a light plant-based lunch," he explained. "After that, you’re free to rest in your rooms until the afternoon session."

Sebastian asked," Where’s the retreat leader?"

"He’s in private meditation, "The guide said.

We nodded and sat down.

The dining area opened into a square courtyard with sliding doors and open-air windows. A breeze drifted through, carrying the scent of pine and herbs.

Even the pickiest eaters were too hungry to complain.

The food was simple but fresh.

Zaria picked up her fork, ready to dig in, but Sebastian stopped her.

"Wait. Tang, can you ask if they can send us a warm batch?"

Tang nodded without hesitation. "Got it."

Zaria groaned. "Seriously? It’s not even cold."

York ruffled her hair. "He’s just being careful. We just hiked a mountain. Warm food helps your system recover. Don’t roll your eyes."

Zaria sighed. "Ugh, fine."

Luna Regina sat by the window, still staring outside like she was trying to decode the meaning of life in the leaves.

Seriously? One name and she’s already falling apart?

What’s there to be confused about?

If she doesn’t like me, fine. Just say it. Don’t fall into a Shakespearean tragedy over it.

When Tang returned with the warm food, Maggie Locke and her people arrived.

The guide led them to a different wing of the lodge.