Chapter 5
Every time Norbert looked at Luna, it was like a punch to the gut, a constant reminder of the betrayal he felt from Joanna.
No matter how Luna tried to be the perfect daughter–sweet, well behaved, and sensible no matter how she sought his approval and tried to win his affection, Norbert just couldn’t see her as his own.
But he wasn’t so cruel as to lay a hand on a child. His voice was firm as he pointed to the door. “Jinna, take Lunn and get out. Stay away from Susan and
Jonah.”
Jeanna’s head spun, and her ears buzzed as she tasted the metallic hint of blood on her lips, Norbert had struck her for the first time since they’d said their vows, and it was all over Susan–again. Joanna found it all incredibly ridiculous.
“Mommy, please get up.” Luna’s voice trembled, her small hands tugging at Joanna’s arm in a desperate attempt to lift her.
Joanna swallowed her pain, not wanting to frighten Luna any more than she already was. She mustered the strength to stand, pulling Luna close to her.
As Joanna moved toward the door, she could hear Norbert’s voice, cold and distant, but oddly concerned. “Susan, I’m late. Are you hurt? Let me take
care of it. Maybe we should let her come back so you can return the favor?”
Susan’s response was immediate, her tone soft. “Norbert, please. Joanna is your wile. We can’t do this.”
And then there was Jonah’s voice. “Mom, Dad’s making sure that bad woman can’t hurt you anymore.”
At that moment, the three of them did indeed look like the picture–perfect family.
A pang of longing and sorrow twisted in Luna’s chest as she lay against Joanna’s shoulder, her eyes fixed on the scene before her. It was a stark contrast to her can reality.
Norbert, sensing eyes on him, glanced up and met Luna’s gaze. The look on her face—a blend of envy and sadness–struck him like a physical blow. His breath hitched, a flicker of unease stirring in his chest.
Stepping out into the fresh air, Luna tenderly reached up and cradled Joanna’s check, the one that still stung from the slap. She blew on it gently.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Joanna reassured her. Strangely, she hadn’t shed a tear when Norbert’s hand had connected with her face. But now, with Luna’s tender care, the dam threatened to break
Joanna swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that
at threatened to spill. She didn’t want Luna to worry, so with a gentle smile, she said, “Daddy didn’t mean it, sweetheart. He just misunderstood me. Let’s try to forgive him, okay?”
Luna’s fingers lightly brushed against Joanna’s swollen cheek. She offered a small nod, her young face a mask of innocence, but her mind was a storm of
confusion and hope.
The image of Norbert’s warm smile, not for her or her mother, but for someone else, and the thought of a sibling that wasn’t part of their family, played
over and over in her head.
Edmund’s suggestion, that perhaps a new baby brother could mend the fractures in her parents relationship, resonated with her ‘Mom loves Dad, Luna thought to herself. ‘Maybe if I had a little brother, i would make them happy and bring them back together!
Edmund’s footsteps echoed in the hallway as he came back from the bathroom, only to find Joanna cradling Luna, her eyes glistening with unshed tears “Joanna, what’s going on?” he asked.
He sighed, suspecting the cause, “I know you and Susan have been close since childhood. Old issues shouldn’t come between you like this. Before you came in, I spoke with Susan. She’s back for her career, not because of Norbert.”
He leaned in. “What matters nor
What matters now is securing your place in Norbert’s life. Give him a son. Men have their social obligations, but you, Joanna, you’re his
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wile-”
“Why is it always about having a son? Dad, you just don’t get it.” Joanna’s voice cracked with frustration as she interrupted Edmund.
Edmund’s brow furrowed at her outburst. He continued, choosing his words carefully, “Joanna, Mayfield Group has been stuck in a nut for years. We’re on the brink of real trouble.
-IFNorbert can get the Wesley family in Jadeyale on his side, their support could take Mayfield Group to new heights.
Edmund paused, his gaze sohening as he turned to Luna with a warm smile. “And doesn’t Luna want a file brother tool
Joanna met Edmund’s eyes, deciding to keep Susan’s true nature to herself. She knew all too well that even if she spoke the truth, he might not believe
het.
“Dad, let’s not discuss this in front of Luna” Joanna said. “I need to take her to school. And don’t worry. I’ll handle Mayfield Group’s problems,” With that, she poured a glass of water and handed Luna her medicine.
Edmund’s eyes lingered on Luna. He thought to himsell, if only she were Norbert’s own flesh and blood
But then, he reconsidered, a sigh escaping his lips. “Even if she were, would that have made a difference? She’s been delicate since the day she was born and the doctors they’ve never been optimistic about her future.”
As Joanna prepared to leave with Luna, Edmund’s curiosity got the better of him. “Joanna,” he said, “who was that man from five years ago?
Joanna’s response was as steady as a rock. “I’ve told you, he’s gone,” she said.
Edmund, however, wasn’t so easily convinced. He let out a heavy sigh. “If only you hadn’t strayed before your marriage,” he murmured.
In his mind, Edmund couldn’t help but replay the past. ‘If Joanna had married Norbert without the shadow of a child from another man, maybe their marriage wouldn’t be so fraught, he mused.
Norbert had been a nobody, on the brink of ruin, not the right match for Joanna at all. He’d only agreed to the marriage to hush up the scandal–Joanna carrying a child not his own. If the truth got out, it would have tarnished the Mayfield name.
And irony of ironies, that poor, unworthy Norbert turned out to be part of the wealthy Wesley family.
Holding Luna as they descended the stairs, Joanna was lost in her own thoughts. Out of the blue, Luna, who was usually quiet, spoke up.
Mom
“I shamed
Joanna’s heart lurched at the words. She turned to look into Luna’s eyes.
Luna’s expression was grave, her enunciation a bit off, but her determination was clear. “Mom, have another baby, a healthy one. Then Dad will love
you.
Joanna’s heart ached as she realized what Luna was implying–Norbert’s affections were conditional on her health. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks as she pulled Luna close. “Luna, that’s not true. It’s not your fault. I don’t need another child. I only need you.”
As she comforted Luna, a man stumbled out, the stench of alcohol preceding him. His gaze was piercing as he looked at Joanna, his eyes rimmed with red. “Damn it, are you Norbert’s wife?”
Joanna’s breath hitched as she took a quick step back, clutching Luna to her chest, her eyes wide with surprise as she struggled to place the intruder
“Susan, that bitch. She’s all over Norbert, trying to betray me. What do you think I should do to you?” the man growled.
At the sound of Susan’s name, recognition dawnedon Joanna. It was Fraser. She felt her caution spike.” they’ve wronged you, you should confront them, not me.”
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Joanna attempted to sidestep fraser, but he reached out and grabbed her aim, his foueath reeking of stenhol “Joanna, you were meant to be mine, I fell for you the moment I saw you. But you, damn it, you burned down my marriage proposal
“Susan is a bitch. She won’t even let me near her now. She’s messing around with your husband, so I’m coming for you,” he snarled.
Joanna’s lace drained of color as she thought about Fraser’s HIV status. She lowered Lunts to the ground. “Luna, run,” the urged.
Fraser, his face twisted with malice and his balance unsteady from the alcohol, tripped Luna with a casual flick of his foot. Luna humbled, dangeroudly close to the stairs, and he lifted his foot again, ready to send her over the edge.
“Tuna?” Joanna’s scream pierced the alt, She knew the potential fatality of such a tall for her child.
“Pom” Luna’s voice was a shaky whisper, her face draining of color as she antkipated another kick from Fraser
In that split second, she felt herself lifted off the ground and cradled in a warm, protective hold. Her eyes, wide as gems, blinked in surprise as she took in the sight of the stranger who had come to her rescue
He was strikingly handsome, surpassing even her own father in looks, and he carried a pleasant scent.
“Luna, what a beautiful name,” Kenneth said softly. He had followed Joanna to the hospital, and now, as he looked down at Luna, he felt an unusual warmth towards her, especially since he typically wasn’t drawn to children.
There was something about this little girl that stirred an unexpected affection within him. For a brief moment, he allowed himself the whimsical thought that it would be nice if she could be his own daughter.
Luna’s eyes lit up as she pointed an accusing finger at Fraser. In a swift move, Kenneth, still cradling Luna securely in one arm, reached out with his free hand, grasped Fraser, and pinned him against the wall’s sharp corner,
Fraser howled, the sudden pain slicing through his drunkenness. He shot a venomous glare first at Joanna, then at Kenneth. But Kenneth’s icy, regal presence exuded an authority that instantly quelled Fraser’s defiance.
“Joanna, just you wait,” Fraser hissed as he limped away.
Joannst
na?” Kenneth echoed, finally putting a name to the woman he’d shared an intimate night with,
Joanna snapped back to the moment as she rushed to Kenneth, her hands shaking as she pulled Luna close again, “Luna, you had me so scared,” she
said.
Kenneth’s eyes lingered on Luna before they fell to his empty arms, a pang of something like loss hitting him. But there was more than that–a flicker of hope kindled in his chest. “Could it be he wondered. Joanna is my wife, and Luna our little girl?”
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Chapter 6
Chapter 6
