Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 230

Chapter 228

Aires‘ POV

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I fix my gaze on the figure standing on the stage. The lights frame her like a portrait, and for a moment, I cannot look

away.

A long–buried memory surfaces out of nowhere. It rises from the depths of my mind, unexpected and unwelcome.

Back then, we were at the Perseus Manor. My mother was on the sofa with her usual commanding presence, Aeson was toddling around the room, and Talia stood quietly by the window, almost invisible even in my memory.

My mother had brought up hiring a language tutor for Aeson. A proper one, she said, someone with credentials and experience.

Talia had spoken up then, her voice soft but clear. “I can

teach Aeson.”

My mother did not even pause. She shut Talia down immediately, her tone sharp and dismissive. “You will teach Aeson? We are hiring a proper language tutor. What could:17

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< Chapter 228

you possibly teach him?” She waved a hand. “If he falls

behind because of you, you will be the one to answer for it.”

After that, Talia never mentioned it again. She retreated

back into her silence, back into the background where we all

wanted her.

I hadn’t thought about that moment in years. It seemed

insignificant at the time. Just another small disagreement,

another instance of my mother putting Talia in her place.

But now, watching Talia stand under the spotlight, speaking Norvish with flawless precision, the memory hits me

differently.

I never expected Talia to surprise me like this.

Surprise…?

The thought makes me pause.

To me, Talia has always been as dull as plain water. Predictable. Unremarkable. A fixture in my life, present but unnoticed. I never imagined feeling surprised by her. I never imagined her capable of making me stop and stare.

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Love and marriage have always been two separate things

in my eyes. One is a fleeting emotion, here today and gone

tomorrow. The other is a contract, a duty, a set of obligations.

Over the years, I may not have loved Talia. But I fulfilled my

duties as a husband. I provided for her. I gave her a home. I

believed that was enough. I told myself that was enough.

I never bothered to truly understand her. I never asked about

her interests or her dreams. I never sat down and listened

when she tried to tell me something important.

But now, watching Talia shine on stage, I find myself momentarily dazed. The woman I married is not the woman I

thought she was. She has layers I never bothered to uncover. Depth I never bothered to explore.

And for the first time, I wonder what else I have missed.

Electra’s POV

On the other side of the audience, Jack bursts into laughter.

His weathered face crinkles with genuine delight.

“Well said, Talia!” He slaps his knee. “Those shameless judges

needed a wake–up call!”

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I look at him in surprise. “Jack, you understand Norvish?”

Jack shoots me a glare, pretending to be offended. His eyebrows rise. “Who do you think I am?” He puffs out his chest. “Back in my day, I traveled all over the world. I have seen things you would not believe. A few foreign languages are nothing to me!”

I immediately launch into flattery, laying it on thick. “I was just surprised!” I clasp my hands together. “Not only are you a brilliant doctor, but you are also a language expert. That is incredible!” I beam at him. “Honestly, meeting you is our

greatest fortune.”

My sweet words have Jack grinning from ear to ear. His

whole face softens.

“You sure know how to talk!” He chuckles, patting my arm. “I like that! Trust me, your good luck is just getting started!”

Ethan glances at Jack, his expression thoughtful. Then he shifts his attention back to Talia. His eyes follow her every

movement.

At first, he only helped Talia for Robin’s sake. It was practical,

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transactional. But now, I see something else in his gaze.

Recognition, maybe. Or appreciation.

He has stumbled upon a hidden gem, and he knows it.

Meanwhile, James stands near the judges‘ panel, utterly speechless. His face is pale. His mouth opens and closes like

a fish out of water.

Talia’s flawless Norvish has left him with nothing to say.

And yet, Talia does not stop there. She looks at James, her expression calm, and asks, “Mr. Scott, did you get that?”

James is not quick–witted. That much is obvious. Otherwise, he would not have made the mistake of using academic background to belittle a stay–at–home mom. Otherwise, he would not have picked a fight with Talia in the first place.

Just as James scrambles for a response, one of the other judges suddenly speaks up. His voice rings out in a long stream of Norvish, fluid and natural.

Talia listens. A small smile curves her lips. She replies with an equally lengthy response, her words flowing effortlessly.

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They converse like old friends. Back and forth. Question and

answer. The exchange is natural, unhurried.

The foreigner’s name is Noah Hodge. He is thirty years old, a

native of Norvish with sharp features and keen eyes.

Unlike James, he did not speak to make things difficult for Talia. He simply wanted to test just how good her Norvish

really was.

His questions are cleverly designed. Not overly difficult, but enough to gauge her actual proficiency. Enough to separate surface–level memorization from true understanding.

Talia answers each one flawlessly.

At last, Noah gives a light round of applause. His face shows genuine admiration.

Then, in fluent and precise Zynanese, he announces to the room, “This lady is more than deserving of a perfect score.”

James‘ POV

As a language expert and a true native of Norvish, Noah’s words feel like a public humiliation I cannot escape. 6/9

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Yet I do not dare show the slightest dissatisfaction. I do not

dare argue back.

Noah comes from one of the four great families of Norvish

His influence extends far beyond this small competition. Crossing him would be professional suicide.

How on earth did this housewife get so lucky? How did she

earn his recognition?

Noah has always been known for his high standards. Ordinary women never even catch his attention. He is notoriously picky, always nitpicking the smallest details, always finding something to criticize.

Even Imema and Robin only received a ninety–six from him. A

respectable score, but not perfect.

And yet, Noah has given Talia a one hundred without

hesitation.

I will still look down on Talia because from what I have heard,

she has nothing more than a middle school education. She

was abandoned by her husband, discarded like yesterday’s

news. She is nowhere near Imema’s level.

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I have always admired Imema. Her talent, her poise, her accomplishments… that is the only reason why I agreed to help Nick. That is why I went along with this scheme.

But at this moment, I do not even dare to utter a word of

protest. All I can do is force out a stiff apology, my voice tight with suppressed fury.

“Sorry.” I swallow hard. “I misjudged.”

With no choice, I change Talia’s score from zero to a perfect

one hundred.

And just like that, Talia finishes the competition with

a flawless victory. Her name will go down as the first contestant to receive a perfect score after being accused of

cheating.

Other performers are still waiting for their turn. The competition is not over yet, so after bowing to the audience in gratitude, she takes Robin’s hand and gracefully steps off the stage. She walks away, victorious, leaving the rest of us to sit in uncomfortable silence.

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Chapter 229