Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 129

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Chapter 126

Talia’s POV

The morning light is pale and thin when I leave the apartment, my documents tucked carefully into my bag. I’ve checked them three times: birth certificate, marriage certificate, identification…

All I need to finally end this chapter of my life is a signed document from the Alpha regarding his approval for the dissolution of this marriage- and he has agreed to provide it willingly.

Traffic is mercifully light and I arrive at the courthouse at 9:10, almost an hour before our appointed time. The building stands tall, made of gray stone and tall columns, the place where marriages begin and end. I find a bench near the entrance, settle my bag beside me, and wait.

Aires has always been punctual. For meetings, for

appointments, for everything except me.

10:05. I check my phone again, frowning at the blank screen. No messages. No missed calls. Nothing.

I give him ten more minutes.

16:20. The courthouse doors have been open for a whne now5:11

Chapter 126

People drift in and out: couples with paperwork, lawyers with briefcases, witnesses for hearings I don’t want to think about. I stand alone on the steps, watching the street, watching for a car

that never comes.

Neither Aires, nor a single word or explanation from him.

If something delayed him, he could have called. A text would have taken seconds. Unless…?

Unless something happened, an accident or maybe an

emergency.

I dial his number before I can talk myself out of waiting longer.

It rings. And rings. And rings. The sound stretches into silence, each unanswered second heavier than the last.

Just as I’m about to hang up, the line clicks.

“I’m tied up today.” His voice is hoarse, distracted, already somewhere else. “I don’t think I can make it.”

Before I can respond, I hear it–Nick’s voice, unmistakable even through the tinny speaker.

“Aires, the doctors have finished treating Imema. You should come see her.”

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Chapter 126

Of course it’s Imema. The only thing that ever makes him late. The only thing that ever matters.

I close my eyes for a moment, letting the familiar weight settle in my chest. It barely hurts anymore. Just a dull ache, worn smooth by repetition.

“The treatment is over now.” My voice comes out steady, detached, as if I’m discussing the weather. “If you have time this afternoon, you can come. It won’t take long.”

Nick’s voice cuts in again, louder this time, deliberately meant to carry across the line.

‘Aires, Imema’s been calling your name. You need to be with her now. The doctors said her condition is serious. If something happens, today could be the last time you see her!”

“Alright, I’m coming.” His voice sharpens to urgency, the voice he uses for crises. For her crises.

The line goes dead.

She’s always been first, always the priority. Five years of marriage, and I have never learned to stop expecting otherwise.

The irony is, this priority of his won’t even let me end this marriage peacefully.

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<Chapter 126

Aires‘ POV

The morning light streams through my window as I grab my car keys. 9:00 AM. Plenty of time to reach the courthouse by ten. I’m already thinking about Talia–how she’ll look standing there with her documents, her cold steady eyes, her certainty that this is finally over.

My phone shatters the quiet.

“Aires! You need to come right now!” Nick’s voice is frantic, almost breathless. “Imema slipped in the shower and lost consciousness. They’ve taken her to the hospital!”

I’m already moving toward the door. “How serious is it?”

“Bad. I’ve tried everything to wake her, but nothing’s working. I’m in the ambulance now. Just get here. Please.”

“I’m on my way.” The words leave my mouth without thought, urgency overriding everything else.

Then I stop. Talia. The courthouse. She’s waiting.

I dial her number quickly, my voice clipped. “I’m busy right now. I’ll call you back later.”

I don’t wait for a response. I don’t give her time to argue.

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Chapter 126

In the car, Nick updates me on Imema’s condition. Her vitals dropped suddenly. The doctors say six months might be

optimistic now. My grip tightens on the steering wheel.

“What about that miracle doctor you mentioned? The one who treats difficult cases.”

Nick’s voice turns bitter. “We found him. An old man named Jack. Runs some rundown clinic on the edge of the city.”

“Then why haven’t you brought him in?”

“Because he won’t come!” Frustration bleeds through the speaker. “I’ve offered him everything–money, whatever he wants. He won’t even consider treating Imema. I’ve been to his

like clinic myself, stood at his door, and he just turned me away I was nothing.”

r

I process this as I drive. “Does he treat people who come to him? Or does he refuse everyone?”

Nick hesitates. “He treats whoever shows up, I think. It’s a clinic. People come to him.”

“Then bring Imema to him.”

“But her condition-” Nick starts.

If he won’t come to her, take her to him. If he treats vhoeve5:12

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Chapter 126

walks through his door, then walk through his door.”

The silence on the other end stretches too long.

“Nick.” My voice hardens. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“I may have… lost my temper with him,” Nick admits reluctantly. “Yelled at him a bit when he refused. Threatened him, maybe. He might not be too happy to see me now.”

I close my eyes briefly. “I’ll go myself. After I handle things today.”

We arrive at the hospital. Imema’s room is quiet, machines humming softly in the background. When we enter, I’m surprised to find her awake, sitting up against the pillows, her face pale but conscious.

The moment she sees me, something flickers in her eyes–a brief light, quickly extinguished. She’s always been good at hiding what she really wants.

“Aires.” Her voice is soft, fragile. “I’m sorry to trouble you again. If you have other things to do, go ahead. I’ll be fine here alone.”

I stand at the foot of her bed, and my mind drifts.

Talja is still waiting. I know she is. She was always wa ing. 15:12

Chapter 126

There was a time, years ago, when we planned to visit a bridal shop. We were supposed to meet at a certain time, a certain place. Then Imema had an emergency. A real one. I forgot everything else. My phone died. I didn’t even think to call.

It was evening before I remembered.

I called Talia, expecting anger, expecting accusations. She answered on the first ring. She was still there. She had waited the entire day.

I thought she was foolish then. Any sensible person would have left. Would have called. Would have demanded an explanation.

But she just waited. Because I said I would come.

“Aires?” Imema’s voice pulls me back. Her eyes are searching, curious. “You seem distracted. Is something wrong?”

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