Author’s pov
Silence fell over the cabin like a heavy blanket as Zane’s words hung in the air.
Cassian stared at him for a solid ten seconds, his expression unreadable. Then, with a deliberate slowness, he glanced down at his phone.
"First stop after landing?" he said, voice flat. "The psychiatrist."
He looked up again, disbelief written all over his face.
"Cecilia has parents. She was born and raised in Denver. And you’re seriously sitting here wondering if she might be your daughter?"
He let out a low scoff.
"You’re losing it."
Zane’s face went pale. He didn’t offer a word in response.
Instead, he stood abruptly and walked toward the back of the cabin, shoulders stiff with tension.
"Uncle Zane, stop avoiding it. I booked the damn appointment. You’re going, like it or not."
Zane didn’t turn around. He just picked up his pace, disappearing through the door to the private compartment.
A few minutes later, he sat alone in the corner, his posture rigid, agitation radiating off him like heat.
He pulled out his phone, hands trembling slightly, and typed a quick message:
[ Are the DNA results back yet? ]
Cecilia’s pov
I woke from a heavy sleep, groggy and disoriented. The bedside clock read just after 4 PM.
Yulia walked in carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup and a thick slice of cornbread.
"Martha sent this over," she said, setting it down carefully. "You tossed your lunch earlier, so I figured you’d be starving by now."
It wasn’t just any soup. The broth was rich, with soft carrots, pulled chicken, and thick egg noodles. It smelled like something someone’s grandma would make on a snow day.
Harper had a bowl too, plus an extra wedge of cornbread slathered in butter.
Harper leaned over with a mischievous grin. "Look at me, reaping all the benefits of your situation."
I laughed and nudged her with my elbow. We took our bowls and settled on the balcony.
Sunlight came through the eaves, and cicadas buzzed up in the trees. The breeze smelled like dry grass and pine. The village looked so quiet, it almost felt like we were on a weekend getaway instead of hiding.
For a moment, we forgot why we were here. It felt like visiting a beloved aunt’s country home.
Then a honeybee swooped in, landing right on the edge of my bowl.
My entire face shifted into panic mode. I flailed my spoon like it was a sword.
"Oh my God! Where did you come from? Shoo! This isn’t for you!"
Yulia and Harper burst into laughter.
From a tree branch on the second floor, Tang lounged like it was his personal hammock, legs dangling.
He chuckled as he recorded the whole thing on his phone.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.
I looked down to see a message from Sebastian:
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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Abandoned Luna Now Untouchable (Cecilia)
Loving the story. But only 2 pages a day. 😢...