Abandoned Luna: Now Untouchable-Chapter 354 Family Schemes

Author ’s pov

Liora hesitated. "You mean that woman ? The one who showed up with Luna Regina the day you were..."

"Publicly embarrassed ?" Maggie offered with a cool smile, one brow arching.

"I was going to say... when things got a little out of hand," Liora corrected quickly.

"Cecilia," Maggie said, her tone suddenly colder.

"That’s the one," Liora confirmed, her voice dropping slightly as if the name itself carried weight.

"But how did you know she was even in Colorado Springs ? Or that she’d turn up at Martha’s place ?"

"I know everything," Maggie said with a soft smile. She placed a hand on Liora’s shoulder and walked behind her, her voice brushing against Liora’s ear. "Nothing escapes my attention."

"Then... do you know she’s pregnant ?"

The air between them turned to glass.

Maggie’s fingers gave the faintest twitch on Liora’s shoulder.

Then she let out a sharp little laugh. "Well. I suppose I overstated my omniscience. That particular detail slipped through."

She paused, then added with a note of faux remorse, "If it’s true, I can’t imagine Martha will continue backing our plans."

Liora spun toward her, startled. "How did you..."

"How did I know ?" Maggie cut in, her voice almost playful. "Because I understand our dear mother than anyone. Always so righteous. So clean. Never willing to get her hands dirty for the younger generation. Cold as marble, that one."

It struck Liora right in the softest part of her pride.

The tension between them faded.

Now they were both just angry at the same person.

Liora didn’t hold back. She told Maggie everything.

"Can you believe this ? When Poppy first mentioned the match, Martha was totally fine with it. She even sounded supportive.

But today, the moment I brought it up, she acted like I was some kind of monster. And the way she defended that woman ?

You’d think I was the one who didn’t have any morals. Like she’s the only person in this entire family with class or a heart."

Maggie listened with practiced patience.

Once the rant subsided, she sighed, not picking sides. "Such a shame. If Cecilia weren’t in the picture, things would’ve unfolded naturally.

I always hoped Jessica might become Jessica Black one day. It could’ve even helped me mend things with Luna Regina.

But now ? That dream’s gone."

Liora clenched her jaw. She didn’t care if Alpha Sebastian had other women.

As long as there were no kids and no drama, it didn’t matter.

What she really wanted was the Luna Black title.

Everything else was just background noise.

"That conniving bitch. She must’ve known about our families’ plans. Got pregnant on purpose. Then showed up here just to flaunt it in front of Martha. Wait...how did she even get onto the estate ? Who helped her ?"

Maggie smiled faintly. "Who do you think ?"

Liora froze. "Luna Regina ?"

"Cassian," Maggie corrected, her voice as smooth as silk. "He’s close to Alpha Sebastian. Of course he knows Cecilia. As to why he’d help some outsider instead of his own sister... well, that’s a mystery, isn’t it ?"

Liora couldn’t wrap her head around it.

Cassian had always looked out for his siblings. Even Xenia, and she could be a walking disaster half the time.

He was the kind of brother who showed up, no questions asked.

So why would he suddenly turn his back on Jessica ?

None of it added up.

Liora hesitated. She knew Maggie had a history with Cassian. Her words weren’t always objective.

Maggie caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes and leaned in, voice low. "Don’t believe me ? Ask whose private jet dropped Cecilia off at Martha’s doorstep. Then decide for yourself."

"But why would he..."

"Why ? Why doesn’t matter." Maggie’s voice turned cold. "What matters is that he did it. He undermined you. That’s the part you need to hold on to."

She brushed her hair back, her tone softening again. "And the most painful part ? Martha’s reaction.

This could’ve been handled quietly, efficiently. If she wanted to help, she could’ve made the Cecilia situation... disappear.

But no. She’d rather protect a stranger and hang her own granddaughter out to dry."

Liora’s fists clenched at her sides.

"What do you mean ‘handled’ ? How ?"

"What’s the point ?" Maggie sighed. "She’s not going to help you. She’ll probably snap at you just for bringing it up. Face it. Martha has never really been on our side."

"I don’t care what she thinks. Just tell me."

Maggie tilted her head, eyes gleaming. "You sure ?"

Liora nodded.

"It’s not complicated. She’s isolated up here. One minor accident, and the pregnancy ends.

Alpha Sebastian won’t blame anyone but her. He’ll see it as her mistake. They drift apart.

Then Jessica reappears at the right moment. With a little encouragement from both sides of the family, everything realigns."

Liora’s heart slammed against her ribs.

Create distance... then strike when they’re vulnerable ?

It was brutal.

But it could work.

Cecilia ’s pov

I sat by the window at Yulia’s house, watching as the last light drained from the sky. The shadows stretching across the hills made everything feel still.

Earlier, Martha had sent over another "peace offering" via Fiona: a tray of homemade honey cream cakes, warm and fragrant, with a savory version she claimed was made just for Tang.

According to the note, it was an apology for the "awkwardness" at lunch.

It felt like a kind gesture.

But I hadn’t taken a bite.

I didn’t know why. Maybe it was the way Martha looked at me earlier. Her smile felt... off.

Or maybe it was that white SUV we passed, the one with windows so dark they showed my own nervous face staring back.

Whatever the reason, my gut had one clear message: stay away from Martha.

"If you’re not eating yours, I will!"

Tang’s voice yanked me out of my thoughts.

He was already leaning over the cake tray like a kid at a bake sale. Drawn by the sweet smell, he stabbed a fork into the nearest piece and popped it into his mouth.

"Don’t..." I started, but the damage was done.

Too late. The cake had vanished, and he looked absolutely delighted.

Seriously ? That was Olympic-level speed eating.

Harper had been more cautious until now. Watching Tang devour his slice, she finally gave in and picked up a small square.

"We already drank her hot chocolate yesterday," she shrugged. "One piece of cake isn’t going to kill us."

I gave them both a look but didn’t push it.

Yulia walked in with another tray and caught my expression. "Cece, relax. She’s not some evil witch running a candy trap. It’s just cake."

She and her husband each tried a piece. When there were still a few slices left, Yulia suggested dropping them off to the neighborhood kids.

I didn’t object.

Maybe I was being paranoid. Overthinking. But that feeling in my chest ? It wasn’t going away.

After dinner, we all headed upstairs early.

Harper, Tang, and I got comfortable in the upstairs sitting room and turned on the TV.

I flipped through a few channels and stopped on some over-the-top sci-fi show.

It looked like a mix between X-Men and a video game.

A bunch of teenage super-students were zipping through the air on glowing hoverboards while blasting some massive monster that looked like it belonged in a Godzilla movie.

The CGI was insane.

Harper yawned.

Tang was laser-focused, eyes locked on the screen like he was analyzing battle tactics.

About an hour in, I stretched and took out my phone.

I’d been meaning to call Sebastian all day, but something kept stopping me.

He was probably still working. I settled on a text.

My fingers flew across the screen:

[There’s an older woman here named Martha. She seems super kind and welcoming... Could you ask Cassian if she’s legit ?]

I had just finished sending the message when someone yanked my arm.

I jerked around.

Harper was sitting frozen beside me, her eyes wide, pupils dilated. She was staring at the space between us like it was haunted.

"What’s wrong ?" I whispered.

She didn’t blink. Slowly, she lifted her hand and pointed right beside me.

"Cece... there are so many... so many little green men standing next to you."

I blinked. "I’m sorry...what ?"