Courtroom Victory
The gavel struck sharply.
"The case is dismissed. The property rights belong to Kezia and Shreya."
The courtroom erupted in whispers. Luna stood tall, calm but inwardly relieved. She had won—a major victory, a hard-fought battle against lies and manipulation.
Kezia and Shreya's eyes shimmered with gratitude from across the hall.
But before Luna could even breathe in her triumph, Ron stepped forward, clapping slowly, his smirk dripping with malice.
"Congratulations, Miss Luna. You fight well. But tell me—how long will beauty and brains protect you in a world built on power?"
Luna's jaw tightened. "This case is over, Ron. Step aside."
Ron ignored her and took another step closer. "Over? Oh no, darling, this is just the beginning."
His hand moved as though to seize her wrist, but suddenly Alex appeared, shoving him back.
"Stay away from her," Alex snapped, his tone sharp, protective.
Ron staggered, then laughed. "And who exactly are you? Who gave you the right to play her guard dog?"
Alex froze. The question clawed at him. Who was he to Luna? A shadow from her past? Someone she still doubted? His throat tightened. He said nothing.
Ron sneered. "That's what I thought. You're nothing. Just a man without identity. Tell me—did your mother never teach you manners?"
The words hit Alex like knives. Memories of his mother's death came rushing back, the guilt, the helplessness, the shame. His hands trembled. His chest burned.
Luna's fury ignited. She stepped forward, eyes blazing, and without hesitation, slapped Ron across the face. The sound cracked through the courtroom.
"Don't you dare humiliate him," she hissed. "Alex has more honor in his silence than you'll ever have in your entire existence. He is my CEO, my friend, and he has every right to protect me from people like you. But you, Ron—you have no right to touch me, no right to insult him, and certainly no right to speak of his mother."
Ron's face twisted with rage. He rubbed his cheek, his pride wounded.
"You'll regret this, Luna. Both of you will."
He stormed out, his shoes striking the floor with angry thuds.
Luna's Cold Professionalism
For a brief moment, silence lingered between Luna and Alex. She looked at him, his eyes still clouded with guilt, his fists clenched at his sides.
She softened, but only slightly. "Thank you, Alex… for saving me." Her voice grew professional, her expression cooling. "But that doesn't mean I'll forget the past. The past is the past, and I will never forgive you… not until I know the truth."
Alex opened his mouth, but no words came. Luna turned and walked away, her heels echoing against the marble floor.
Alex's Breakdown
Alone now, Alex slammed his fist into the wall. Pain shot through his knuckles, but he barely felt it.
"Why me? Why always me? What cruel game is destiny playing with me?" His voice cracked, echoing in the empty corridor.
Marco's Call
Meanwhile, Luna sat in the back of a taxi, staring out at New York's endless skyline. Her phone buzzed. Detective Marco's name flashed across the screen.
She answered. "Marco?"
His voice was low, urgent. "Luna, we checked the CCTV footage again. Some men were dragging a girl into the property late at night. But the recording was tampered with—the key footage erased, the rest blurry. Someone didn't just commit a crime there… they covered it up."
Luna's stomach tightened. "A girl? Who was she?"
Marco sighed. "We don't know. The face is hidden. But whoever's behind this is dangerous—and they knew how to manipulate surveillance."
The line went dead, leaving Luna with more questions than answers.
Kezia's Warning
When Luna arrived at Kezia's house later that evening, Kezia ran forward and embraced her.
"Thank you, Luna. You saved our property, our future. I'll never forget this."
Luna gave a small smile. "It's my duty. Justice always comes first."
But as Luna turned to leave, Kezia gently caught her arm. Her expression was serious.
"Stay here tonight. Please. I don't think Ron will let you go so easily. He lost today, but men like him… they don't lose quietly."
Luna hesitated, her heart caught between pride and caution. Outside, the night grew darker, shadows stretching long. Somewhere, danger lurked closer than she realized.
part"):
A Night of Secrets
Luna finally agreed to Kezia's request. The storm outside was growing fiercer, and Kezia's worried eyes convinced her.
That night, after Kezia's little daughter fell asleep, Luna and Kezia sat in the living room. The case was over, but the weight of their lives still pressed heavily on them.
"One night of peace, that's all we deserve," Kezia whispered as she pulled out bottles of wine.
Luna smiled faintly. "One night, then. Let's drink away the pain."
Hours passed. Kezia, though drinking, kept her composure. But Luna—tired, broken, and still carrying scars from her past—kept pouring glass after glass. Her cheeks flushed, her words slurred, her eyes turned misty.
Just as Luna leaned back, mumbling nonsense, the power cut out. Darkness swallowed the house. The air grew hot and sticky in the summer night.
Kezia frowned. "We can bear this heat, but Luna will faint in no time. She's not used to this."
With no other option, Kezia picked up her phone and called Alex.
He arrived within fifteen minutes, panic written across his face. "Where is she?"
Kezia led him inside. Luna was half-asleep on the couch, muttering under her breath.
"She needs rest, Alex," Kezia said softly. "Take her somewhere safe."
Without hesitation, Alex scooped Luna into his arms, carrying her bridal style. Luna stirred and grumbled, her head falling against his chest.
"Put me down, you idiot. I don't want to go with you," she mumbled, half-drunk.
Alex smirked gently. "You don't get a vote tonight."
Drunken Confessions
In the car, Alex fastened her seat belt. Luna kept rambling nonsense, her words tumbling out in the strangest ways.
"Do you know… cats are secretly humans? Do you know humans were monkeys? Do you know… do you know… your face looks like—" She hiccuped. "Like a watermelon."
Alex bit back a laugh but couldn't stop the blush on his cheeks. For a moment, she wasn't the cold lawyer who distrusted him. She was just Luna—the girl he had once loved, drunk and innocent, leaning against him like she used to.
When they reached his bungalow, Alex carried her again. He ignored the hotel she was staying at. She needed care, and he wouldn't leave her alone tonight.
Inside, he laid her carefully on his bed. He pulled a stool beside her, deciding to spend the night there instead of beside her.
But Luna's voice broke the silence.
"Why did you cheat on me, Alex?" Her words slurred, but her eyes shone with unspoken pain.
Alex's heart clenched. He leaned closer. "I never cheated on you, Luna. Never. You just never let me explain. I've been waiting for the chance to tell you everything, but you shut me out every time."
Her lips trembled. "Then… then explain. Which path will you take to cross me again?"
He sighed. "I'll explain soon, Luna. When your heart is ready to listen… when you're ready to hear me without hate."
She blinked, fighting sleep. "Okay. But… don't go tonight."
When Alex stood to leave, she grabbed his hand tightly. "Please. Stay here. Don't leave me."
His chest ached. He hesitated, shaking his head. "If I stay, you'll regret it in the morning. You'll accuse me of taking advantage."
"No regrets," she whispered stubbornly. "Not with you."
Against every warning in his mind, Alex finally lay beside her. He stayed stiff, cautious, his hands tucked behind his head. But when Luna curled closer in her sleep, his heart softened, and he closed his eyes.
Morning After
Sunlight poured into the room. Luna stirred, her head throbbing from the hangover. She blinked at the ceiling, trying to remember what happened.
Flashes returned: the drinks, the blackout, being carried… and then nonsense about cats and monkeys. But not the part where Alex denied cheating. That memory had slipped away into the fog of her drunkenness.
She groaned and sat up. "What the hell did I do last night?"
The sound of clattering dishes came from downstairs. Curiosity dragged her out of bed, her cheeks warming as she realized she was still in the clothes from last night, minus her lawyer's jacket.
In the kitchen, Alex stood by the counter, flipping eggs with surprising skill.
"Ah, finally awake," he teased without turning. "How are the drunk sensations now? Still think cats are humans?"
Luna's cheeks flared crimson. "You—! I wasn't—"
Alex turned, smirking. "Don't try to hide it. You were hilarious. I haven't laughed like that in years."
She pressed her lips together, embarrassed. He handed her a plate and a glass of water.
"Eat. And take this medicine, unless you want your head to split open."
Reluctantly, she obeyed. And though she tried to keep her distance, she found herself smiling faintly at his teasing.
When she finished breakfast and prepared to leave, Alex held out her jacket. "You forgot this last night."
Luna's hand brushed his as she took it. Her face heated instantly, and she turned away, muttering a quick, "Thanks."
He grinned. "You're welcome… friend."
She left in a hurry, her heart beating too fast, her face redder than the morning sun.
A New Clue
Later at the office, Luna tried to bury herself in work, though Alex's smile kept flashing in her mind.
Her distraction was broken when a young woman entered—confident, sharp-eyed, carrying a file under her arm.
Then a knock
"Miss Luna?" she asked, her voice firm. "My name is Miranda. I think I have a clue… a clue about the murder."
Luna's heart stilled. The case wasn't over after all.