Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 50

Chapter 49

Talia’s POV

Aires settles into the chair beside me with an ease that feels like entitlement. Across the table, Raymond raises an eyebrow but says nothing. Imema, left with no choice, takes the seat next to him.

Aires’s voice is casual, but I know him well enough to hear the edge beneath it. “So! Mr. Capaldi. I believe this is the first opportunity we have to talk face–to–face at leisure, are you friends with my wife?”

Raymond’s smile is effortless. “Indeed. Actually, I should thank you! If not for you, I might never have met such

an 16:18

Chapter 49

extraordinary woman and have her be a part of my life.”

Aires’s eyes narrow almost imperceptibly.

“So you haven’t known each other for long?”

The smile on Raymond’s face doesn’t flicker even slightly.

“No, not at all. Mr. Jones, if you hadn’t repeatedly stood by silently while your wife was publicly torn apart… while she was harassed, threatened, physically attacked, I might never have had the

chance to become her friend.”

The words are pleasant and polite, but the

meaning is absolutely not.

16:18

Chapter 49

The air thickens, and Aires’s jaw tightens.

Imema glides in smoothly, à peacemaker in pearls. “Shall we order first? I’m sorry to interrupt, but the service here can be slow on the weekends. We can chat while

we wait, I hope nobody will mind.”

Raymond lets it go, signaling the waiter. Menus are distributed. Aires scans his

briefly, then rattles off several dishes with the confidence of a man used to being served.

Raymond’s eyebrow climbs higher. “Mr. Jones. You’re ordering all of that for yourself?”

3/12

16:18

Chapter 49

A faint blush colors Imema’s cheeks.

“Aires ordered for both of us.”

I keep my expression neutral, rolling my eyes internally. Of course he did.

Raymond turns to me, his voice softening. “Talia, do you still drink mango juice?”

The question catches me off guard.

“Yes.” The answer comes out before I can stop it.

Aires looks at me with something like surprise. “You like mango juice?”

Before I can answer, Raymond interjects, histone carrying a light disbelief. “Mr. 16:18

Chapter 49

Jones, you are her husband. You didn’t know she likes mango juice?”

My fingers curl slightly against my thigh. I press my lips together.

I do like mangoes, I love them. Once, early in our marriage, I made mango juice to go with dinner. Aires made a face, saying that it tasted strange. After that, I never made it again. Never bought mangoes, never even mentioned it.

Imema’s voice drifts in, soft and apologetic. “I’m sorry. I’m allergic to

mangoes, so out of habit… or you can say,

as a gesture of solidarity, Aires hasn’t had them in years.”

5/12

1 16:18

Chapter 49

Raymond chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “Mr. Jones knows exactly what Ms. Volkov likes and dislikes. Shouldn’t you

know the same about your wife?”

Aires’s silence is answer enough. After a moment, he orders several more dishes; gesturing vaguely, naming things I

assume are for me.

Raymond’s brow furrows. “Mr. Jones. Are you certain those are dishes Talia enjoys? Or are they simply dishes you enjoy?”

Aires glances at me. I don’t meet his eyes.

Raymond continues, his voice deceptively light. “Talia prefers spicy food. She doesn’t eat seafood, and won’t even touch.

Chapter 49

raw preparations. And she’s never liked fish.” He gestures at the dishes Aires just ordered. “Every single one of those violates at least one of her preferences.”

The silence that follows is absolute.

The waiter, caught in the crossfire, shifts uncomfortably. Even she can feel the

awkwardness of a husband who doesn’t

know his own wife’s simplest likes and

dislikes.

“Sir,” she ventures carefully, “should I cancel these orders? Or would you like me to proceed with them-”

“No.” Raymond overrides smoothly, ordering three more dishes, each marked 8

Chapter 49

with chili icons, each unmistakably mine. The waiter scribbles and flees.

Imema tries to salvage. “Aires rarely dines at home. It’s understandable he wouldn’t

know—”

I suppress a bitter smile. I understand exactly what she’s doing. She’s telling everyone that Aires eats with her, that she is the one who knows his habits. If he cared about me, he would have found a way to learn my preferences regardless. The simple truth is he never bothered.

Raymond nods thoughtfully. “Indeed. Talia spent years caring for her husband and child, adapting to your needs, your schedules, your preferences. She

1 16:18

Chapter 49

neglected herself so thoroughly that everyone else did too.” He looks at me, and something in his gaze softens. “But with me, you don’t have to suffer. You can always have things your way.”

I know he’s performing, speaking so that Aires and Imema can hear it, pushing their buttons deliberately. Still, something shifts in my chest. A small warmth settles in, making it’s place.

Imema’s voice cuts through again. “I heard Diana’s headaches have returned.

You’ve been managing her medicine for years. If you don’t want to deliver it, could you at least give us the prescription?”

I shrug. “I don’t have it.”

16:18

Chapter 49

Aires frowns. “You’ve been bringing medicine for years. How can you not have it?”

Imema chimes in, sympathetic and reasonable. “I know you and Aires have had misunderstandings. But can you set that aside for now? Illness doesn’t wait for

you to sort out your grievances, right?”

My irritation flares up “I said I don’t have it. Mr. Jones is so capable, surely he can

find medicine somewhere else without

relying on a ‘housewife‘ like me?”

Aires’s voice hardens. “How long will you keep making scenes, Talia?”

10/12

| 16:18

Chapter 49

Before I can respond, Imema rises. Her expression is wounded, noble.

“I know you’ve misunderstood me. If it’s because of that misunderstanding that you’re holding a grudge…” She bites her lip, a picture of sacrifice. “I’m willing to apologize. To you.”

The table holds its breath.

I look at her standing there, offering forgiveness for a crime she committed. Offering to apologize for my supposed grievances, and turning herself into the martyr once again.

Raymond watches, interested in her

humiliation while Aires watches,

16:18

Chapter 49

conflicted.

I just feel tired.

“Sit down, Ms. Volkov.” My voice is flat. “Your performances are exhausting.”

Coin Package: get more free bon