Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 169
Imema’s POV
My heart sinks as I watch them from the shadows of the corridor. They are still in there, together.
They haven’t signed the papers yet. What’s the delay now!?
I see Talia emerging from the room first, and a cold prickle of dread crawls up my spine. Is she having second thoughts?
After everything she’s done to make Nick’s life a living hell, she’s exactly the type to pull the rug out at the final second. I have been spending weeks trying to keep Nick’s temper in check, keeping him steady, terrified that one rash move from him would give her the excuse she needs to stay bound to Aires forever.
But is Aires going to entertain her this time again…?
No, that’s not possible.
While I’m debating with myself, Talia’s gaze lan ls right:06
filled with amuse
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< Chapter 169
“He doesn’t want to pay the money, finalize the divorce, and then end up empty-handed.”
She reaches into her bag and pulls out several small, amber bottles, lining them up like chess pieces. “Ms. Volkov, take a few pills from each for testing. If everything checks out, we proceed immediately.”
Her eyes narrow slightly. “If not… I’m afraid we’ll have to reschedule.”
“Alright,” I manage to say. My voice sounds thin. I reach out, my fingers trembling slightly as I shake a few tablets from each vial into my palm. I turn to leave, desperate to get away from her scrutiny, but her voice hooks into my back.
“Wait.”
I freeze. I turn back stiffly, my pulse thudding in my throat. “Is there… anything else?”
I don’t dare snap at her. One wrong word and she’ll walk away, and I’ll lose everything.
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“Aiges and I will wait here for the results,” she says, he5:06 smile faint and knowing. “I hope you won’t take too long,
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< Chapter 169
That statement is enough to make my breath get stuck in my throat. Another month? No way in hell…
My gaze wavers. I glance at Aires, still seated at the
counter.
“Alpha, I’ll go and verify the medicine,” I quickly whisper, not meeting his eyes.
I hurry away, despite already knowing what the test will show. Harmless, but also useless. The last batch was just high-protein supplements, fancy placebos being passed off as a miracle cure. Whether Talia has figured out Jack’s scam or not, it doesn’t matter.
I just need that signature on the divorce papers.
If I have to pretend to be fooled by a bottle of vitamins to get her out of our lives, it’s a price I’m more than willing
to pay.
Talia’s POV
I sit back down, close my eyes, and let the tension drain from my shoulders. There is no point in panicking or rushing myself now, so I might as well relax.
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< Chapter 169
But I am not worried about her discovering anything.
Even if there was poison in those pills, she would lie for me and say they were genuine. She wants this divorce too badly to let a little thing like truth get in the way.
***
The morning flies by. Electra and I leave the courthouse and head out for lunch, finding a small Japanese cafe a few blocks away. She picks at her sushi, her nerves still frayed.
“Talia, don’t you think something else will go wrong?” She sets her fork down, her brow furrowed.
I put the fried fish into my mouth. “It should not. Imema is smart enough not to rush back too soon.”
Testing medicine takes time. If she delivered the samples one minute and got the results the next, it would raise more than a few eyebrows.
She knows that, and she will wait before returning, too.
***
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< Chapter 169
report clutched in her hand, her steps controlled even though I can see the urge to run and deliver the news.
I have to applaud her; as anxious as she is to see this divorce finalized, she hasn’t let excitement cloud her judgment. Until the papers are signed and stamped, nothing is set in stone.
Aires has cleared his schedule for the day. He has taken a few calls, stepped out once or twice, but he never left. I see Imema’s shoulders relax when she walks in and finds us both still here.
She hands the report to Aires, her voice bright and eager. “Alpha, the medicine checked out. It even contains
several rare herbal ingredients… we can buy stuff anywhere, but Jack’s knowledge is the saving grace! And that level of knowledge and experience can’t be bought with money.”
She goes on and on, singing Jack’s praises like he is some kind of miracle worker. A cure-all that can heal any ailment with a single dose. She paints a picture so vivid that by the time she finishes, even she seems convinced.
“Alpha, the doctor said this medicine might really work:06 wonders.” Her eyes are wide, hopeful. “It could cure my
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< Chapter 169
He turns his head and notices me sitting on a chair not far away. I do not bother hiding my expression. Let him see it. Let him see me enjoying the show. His gaze darkens.
“We are good to go,” he says.
I rise and walk over, pausing in front of Imema. I let my smile stretch just enough. “Ms. Volkov, thank you for having so much faith in Jack’s medical skills.”
Her jaw tightens. She knows exactly what I mean.
The clerk asks the usual question. Do we want to withdraw? Talia and Aires. Any second thoughts? Any last-minute changes of heart?
We both answer no. Firm. Immediate.
The clerk stamps the papers. The process is swift. Efficient. Final.
When I walk out with the divorce certificate in my hand, I pause for a moment. The paper feels light. Insignificant, almost. Five years of my life reduced to a single sheet. Lexpect something. Sadness. Regret. A flicker of loss-13:06 Instead, all I feel is relief. A weight I did not know I was
< Chapter 169
Electra grabs my arm, her voice rising with excitement. “Talia, is it really done?”
Nick stands nearby, his arms crossed, his sneer already forming. “Call yourself a bestie, huh? Some friend you are.” He spits the words. “Actually hoping your best friend gets divorced. Birds of a feather flock together, I guess! Trash attracts trash.”
Electra does not miss a beat. She scoffs, loud and dismissive. “Are you talking about yourself? Who wanted their buddy to get divorced more than you did?”
She tilts her head. “Anyone who did not know better might even think you had a crush on Aires. Why else would you be so invested in his marriage? Sticking your nose in where it does not belong.”
She pauses, a sly smile curling her lips. She turns to Imema. “Ms. Volkov, let me give you some advice. Do not waste all your energy keeping an eye on other women.” Her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper. “Sometimes, men… can be just as dangerous.”
She glances at Aires, then back at Imema, and chuckles. “The Alpha looks a bit too delicate, as he always wants his
protector around… doesn’t he?”
< Chapter 169
Nick’s face goes red. He catches her meaning instantly. His fists clench as he takes a step forward, ready to charge. Nothing is holding him back now.
“Nick!”
Aires’s voice cuts through the air, cool and clear like a splash of cold water. Nick stops mid-step.
“What do you think you are doing?”
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