Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 20

Talia’s POV

Night has fully fallen by the time Electra’s car pulls up to my apartment building. The back seat is silent; Robin fell asleep in the backseat when we were halfway home.

Electra kills the engine and I unbuckle my seatbelt, lifting him into my arms. He is lighter than I expect, especially for a child his age.

Electra watches me with worry written all over her face, in capital letters.

“Talia, are you sure about this?”

She asks quietly.

“About what?”

“Taking care of Robin. That money is insane, no arguments about that, but I don’t think he’s an easy person. If anything happens to this kid on your watch, he will end you in all the ways that matter.”

“I know.”

Then why did you agree?”

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She has been thinking about it since the hospital, I can tell.

“If Robin is fine, you’ll be fine. But if something goes wrong, how can you bear that responsibility? One fever, one accident…”

She trails off and I pause, shifting Robin’s weight slightly so he rests more comfortably against my shoulder.

“Because I need to keep myself busy,” I confess.

“I suddenly have too much free time, and I’m not used to it. I need something to do…and I need money.”

Electra frowns. “Money? But Aires—”

“I froze my accounts tonight,” I finished her sentence.

“I bumped into Imema in the washroom, there was a scene and-”

“Whoa…! What scene?”

Г

“Her usual. I received a bank notification within ten minutes of that. I have my savings, but it’s not enough…”

Electra lets out a furious hiss. “That bastard! After everything you did? After all the years you slaved away for his family, he didn’t even consider getting you a small gesture of appreciation. 2/7

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Even now, he is pretending like you’ll leech all his money through that damn card while the fireworks he sets off according

to Imema’s mood swings cost more than your entire year’s expenses!”

The irony is bitter. “Exactly… I can care for a stranger’s child and be paid a fortune for it. But when I was caring for my own family, my card got blocked as a reward.”

She goes silent.

She isn’t married yet, but I can see fear settle into her expression as she stares ahead and mutters,

“You marry into a rich family, and this still happens. If I marry into an ordinary one, I’ll have to earn money, do housework, raise kids, and still get blamed for something trivial. What’s the point?”

I tighten my arms around Robin.

“The point is to never be completely dependent on someone. A woman’s only real security is the security she builds for herself. Otherwise, even her own child can learn to see her as an option.”

Electra nods slowly.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Okay. I’m free this we23ek. Call me for anything you might need help with: backup, groceries, morab

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support…”

“Thank you, Electra-”

“Don’t thank me,” she says, waving a hand. “Just don’t let the little one set your apartment on fire.”

I manage a smile and carry Robin upstairs.

*

The next morning, I wake up early out of habit.

I prepare breakfast, pack Robin’s bag, double–check everything. He eats quietly and follows me without complaint, quiet but cooperative.

At exactly 7:45 AM, there’s a soft knock at the door.

A uniformed driver is standing at my door while a sleek, black car that costs more than my entire life is randomly chilling at the curb, drawing stares from my neighbors.

“Miss. Perseus,” he says with a slight bow. “Mr. I’m Jacob, Master Robin’s chauffeur. I’ll be responsible for picking him up and dropping him off at school, and anything else you might need me for.”

No surprise that Raymond is terrifyingly efficient.

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“Hello,” I say with a polite smile. “Thank you, Jacob.”

The car glides smoothly through the city. About twenty minutes in, a knot of familiarity tightens in my stomach. The streets, the turns… I know this route.

“Jacob, which kindergarten does Robin attend?”

Jacob smiles as he meets my gaze in the rearview mirror.

“Golden Galaxy Academy, ma’am. It’s just up ahead…”

My fingers curl into a fist.

Golden Galaxy Academy is the most exclusive, insanely expensive private kindergarten in the city. The place where lineage and wealth are the only entry requirements, there is nothing else that can qualify for consideration.

The school Aeson has attended since he was three.

Of course, I know Raymond Capaldi, whoever he may be, isn’t just rich but powerful too. Yet somehow, I didn’t expect this.

We pull up to the gated entrance. I walk Robin to the door, then crouch down in front of him and straighten his collar.

“If you need anything, you have my number, right? Be good and

5/7

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get along with your classmates. I’ll be right here after school.”

He nods, his eyes holding mine for a long moment before he turns and walks inside, then glances back at me… once, twice, three times until the door closes behind him.

I look down, my vision suddenly getting blurry with tears.

I remember Aeson’s first day of kindergarten, when he looked back at me the same way, reluctantly yet bravely preparing himself to face the day.

He used to cry and cling to me, not wanting to let go.

I don’t remember when that changed…

The words echo hollowly in my mind, I feel a sharp pang on remembering that things have changed a lot since then.

A voice, sharp with surprise, echoes from behind me.

“Talia!? What are you doing here?”

I turn slowly.

A few steps away, Aeson, Imema, and Aires are standing in a cluster, like they are posing for a grand family portrait.

Arson is holding Imema’s hand while Aires stands slightly apagt

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his eyes burning holes in my head with the questions hidden in his gaze. While Aeson looks at me, his face is bright with surprise.

The morning sun suddenly feels too harsh.

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