Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 44

Talia’s POV

Aires’s brow furrows, a dark crease forming between his eyes. Before he can respond, Nick lunges into the breach.

“We can’t let this murderer walk free

again!” His voice rises, filling the sterile room. “Imema, your soft heart is exactly why people think they can trample all over you!”

I laugh. I can’t help it. The sound is sharp, unexpected, cutting through his tirade like glass.

He whirls on me, face purpling. “What’s$6:15

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so funny, Talia?”

“She’s a master of manipulation.” My voice is calm, almost conversational. “Truly impressive technique.”

How dare you-”

“I’m talking about Imema.” I meet his gaze without flinching. “Surely that was

obvious.”

Nick looks ready to combust. His hands clench into fists, but he can’t strike me

-not here, not with Aires and Aeson watching. Instead, he pivots, appealing to the only authority he recognizes.

“Aires! Imema was pushed down a flight:15

< Chapter 44

of stairs, rushed into surgery, and you’re going to let this slide like last time? She deserves justice!”

I smile, slow and cold. “Mr. Thorne, your mind may not be the sharpest instrument, but your ears seem functional. Ms. Volkov has never once said I pushed her.”

His mouth opens, then closes. Opens

again. Nothing comes out.

“Even if she hasn’t said it, I know it was

you!”

I raise an eyebrow. “Do you possess psychic abilities now? Some supernatural gift that lets you witness events from afar? If so, I’m genuinely impressed.”

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Chapter 44

“Talia, you-

“Enough.” Aires’s voice cuts through, low and absolute. He turns to me, those dark eyes unreadable. “Did you push her or

not?”

I meet his gaze without flinching. “If you want to know, ask her.”

Something flickers in his expression. He turns to the bed.

“Imema. Did Talia push you?”

Imema’s eyes fill instantly, tears trembling on her lashes. She forces a brave, wobbly smile.

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Chapter 44

“It wasn’t Ms. Perseus. I… I just lost my balance. An accident.”

The words say one thing. Her trembling lip, her averted gaze, her wounded posture–they scream another. She’s a virtuoso, painting innocence with every

breath.

I almost applaud.

“Since Ms. Volkov confirms it wasn’t me.” My voice is light, dismissive. “I’ll be going

now.”

Nick blocks the door. “You think you can just walk away? I’ll–I’ll call the police! Have them arrest you!”

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I stop. Turn. Look at him with something approaching pity.

“Call them. Please do. Let’s see who they believe–your hysterical accusations, or the victim herself, who has repeatedly stated I didn’t touch her.” I pause. “She was there. You weren’t. What more do you

want?”

His face cycles through shades of purple. “That’s only because Imema doesn’t want to make things difficult for Aeson and Aires!”

I turn directly to the bed. “Ms. Volkov. Did I push you or not?”

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Imema’s eyes well with fresh tears, Her voice trembles. “Ms. Perseus, please… not in front of Aeson. Let’s not fight in front

of him.”

The performance is flawless. She’s not accusing me–oh no, she’s too noble for that. She’s simply suffering in silence, protecting my son from witnessing my cruelty. Every word damns me more thoroughly than any direct accusation.

Nick seizes his moment. He turns tó

Aeson, triumphant.

“Aeson! You saw it, didn’t you? Tell

everyone what you saw!”

Aeson’s small face tightens with resolve 6:15

Chapter 44

He looks at me, and there’s no hesitation in his eyes. No doubt.

“Yes. I saw it. Mom pushed Ms. Volkov down the stairs.”

The words land like stones. I feel them hit, one by one, but the impact is distant, muffled. I’ve been expecting this. Preparing for it.

Nick crows in victory. “There, Aires! Your own son–he wouldn’t lie about this!”

Aires’s gaze returns to me, colder now, harder. “Talia. Did you push Imema?”

I could explain. I could fight. I could point out the inconsistencies, the convenient16:15

Chapter 44

timing, the rehearsed nature of every single performance in this room.

Instead, I just feel tired.

“I didn’t push her. She fell.”

“Then why did she fall?” The question is sharp, demanding.

I meet his eyes. “How would I know why Ms. Volkov fell? That’s a question for her,

not for me.”

୮

He doesn’t respond. Just watches me with those dark, unreadable eyes. The silence stretches, thick and oppressive. He doesn’t believe me. I can see it in every line of his face. People don’t just fall down

Chapter 44

stairs for no reason. There must be a

cause. A culprit.

And I’m the only candidate they’re willing

to consider.

Imema intervenes, her voice soft and forgiving. “Aires, maybe we should just let this go…”

་་

“Let it go?” Nick whirls on her. “Imema, she needs to face consequences! She needs to learn—”

I cross my arms, waiting. Watching.

“Ms. Volkov.” My voice cuts through the chaos. “Since everyone is so invested, perhaps you could clarify exactly how yous

< Chapter 44

fell. In detail.‘

་་

She hesitates. Her eyes flicker–to Aires, to Aeson, to Nick. Trapped. She didn’t expect to have to actually say it.

I smile. “That’s what I thought.”

I turn toward the door. Nick blocks me

again.

“You’re not going anywhere until Imema gets an explanation!”

لو

I laugh softly. “I’ve given one. She hasn’t contradicted it. By every reasonable measure, this conversation is concluded.”

He looks desperately at Imema. “Please:15

Chapter 44

fell. In detail.”

She hesitates. Her eyes flicker–to Aires, to Aeson, to Nick. Trapped. She didn’t expect to have to actually say it.

I smile. “That’s what I thought.”

I turn toward the door. Nick blocks me

again.

“You’re not going anywhere until Imema gets an explanation!”

r

I laugh softly. “I’ve given one. She hasn’t contradicted it. By every reasonable measure, this conversation is concluded.”

He looks desperately at Imema. “Please:15

Chapter 44

Tell them. Did she push you or not?”

I watch Imema’s face. Watch her calculation, her rapid reassessment. She can’t keep dancing forever. If she continues to equivocate, it will look suspicious even to these true believers.

She draws a breath. Opens her mouth-

The door opens.

A tall figure enters, a smaller one clinging to his hand. The moment he sees me, the

small one breaks free and runs.

“Miss. Jackson!” Robin throws himself into my arms, wrapping tight around my waist. “Miss. Jackson, are you okay? I was

Chapter 44

so worried!‘

I kneel, hugging him back, guilt washing through me. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I haven’t been taking care of you properly.”

He pulls back, little face serious. “You do take care of me. You’re the best-

“Why are you with my mom?!”

Aeson’s voice slices through the room like

a blade.

I look up. Aeson stands rigid, pointing at Robin, his face contorted with an emotion I don’t recognize.

It’s it jealousy…? Or something else

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Chapter 44

entirely?

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