Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 81

Chapter 79

Talia’s POV

Aires stands there, silently, of course. They only have the

courage to say these absurd things when it’s just me… when there’s no audience to witness their hypocrisy.

I shake his hand off my wrist with visible disgust. “You want to know why I knocked the soup away? Ask your precious Imema. She knows Aeson had his stomach pumped

yesterday. She knows he’s weak, recovering. So explain to me

-why did she bring him seafood soup?”

Aires glances at the spilled liquid on the floor. It looks

ordinary enough–pale broth, nothing floating in it. Any normal person would see soup.

“Eleanor.” His voice is careful, measured. “Are you certain?”

The question hits like sandpaper. Always the same. Always doubting me. Always requiring proof that would be instantly

accepted if it came from her.

“I cook every day. Every single day for years. I know ingredients the way you know boardroom strategies” MY14:38

< Chapter 79

voice is flat, tired. “The seafood smell is faint, but it’s there. If

you don’t believe me–and you never do–have it tested. Let

science prove what your instincts refuse to accept.”

Imema’s face drains of color. Her hands flutter nervously. “Aires, I’m sorry… there might have been a little seafood in

the soup…”

Aires stares at her, genuine shock breaking through his usual composure. “You put seafood in his soup? After what happened yesterday?”

She doesn’t want to admit it–I see the calculation behind

her tears. But she knows I’ll push for testing. She knows she’s

trapped.

“I found recipes online,” she weeps, the excuse ready–made. “They said adding seafood enhances the flavor, makes it

more nutritious. I only added a tiny bit. I didn’t know—I’m so

ignorant about these things-”

“Ignorant?” I laugh, the sound hollow. “A five–year–old

knows patients recovering from serious illness should avoid seafood. Cold foods, irritants, allergens–basic knowledge, Imema. Are you telling me you’re less informed than a child?”

2/7

14:38

< Chapter 79

She bows her head, shoulders shaking with sobs. “I thought… just a little wouldn’t hurt…”

My eyes narrow. “Yesterday, you knew Aeson was lactose intolerant. You still fed him cake. ‘Just a little,‘ you said. Now his stomach is raw from being pumped, and you bring

seafood. ‘Just a little,‘ again.”

I step closer, letting her see my face.

“Aeson loves sweets. That’s why you feed them to him- so you can play the indulgent, fun adult while I’m the strict, controlling mother. But Aeson doesn’t like seafood. He never has. So why, Imema? Why secretly add something he hates to soup you claim you made with love?”

She flinches. “I didn’t–I don’t cook often, I really didn’t know

I turn away from her, focusing on Aires. “Now. What do you have to say?”

His jaw works. “Perhaps Imema genuinely didn’t understand.”

I nod slowly, then look at Aeson. “And you?”

3/7

14:38

< Chapter 79

My son’s voice is small. “Maybe Ms. Volkov didn’t mean to…”

“Fine.” The word is calm, accepting. “If that’s what you both

believe, then that’s what you believe.”

I walk toward the door.

Aires’s voice follows me. “Eleanor. Where are you going?”

I pause but don’t turn. “I’ve been awake all night. I’m going

home to rest. Unless you expect me to work around the clock

without sleep? Am I truly just a workhorse to you?”

His tone softens–slightly, barely. “Go rest. Aeson will be here

about a week. Come back this evening.”

I laugh. “Aeson prefers Ms. Volkov’s care. Let her stay.”

Displeasure sharpens his voice. “You’re his mother. You

should be here.”

“And you’re his father.” I finally turn, meeting his eyes. “Why aren’t you staying? You only invoke ‘mother‘ when it’s

convenient–when you need someone to blame, someone to guilt into service. When I’m actually here, day after day, year after year, no one notices. No one thanks me. No one asks if 4/7

14:38

< Chapter 79

I’m tired.”

My gaze sweeps over Aeson, over Imema, cold and final.

“You think Ms. Volkov is wonderful? Let her prove it. Let her stay here every single day of his recovery. Let her handle the bedpans and the midnight wake–ups and the boredom

and the fear. Let’s see how long her ‘love‘ lasts when it’s

inconvenient.”

Imema’s face pales further.

“Ms. Volkov, you talk a beautiful game. Now walk it. Take care

of Aeson while he’s hospitalized. Show us all what devotion really looks like.”

I look at Aires one last time.

“I hope the three of you are very happy together. And please -keep your drama away from innocent people.”

I walk out.

Aires follows. His footsteps echo in the corridor, catching up

to me near the elevator.

5/7

14:38

< Chapter 79

“Eleanor.” His voice is tight with impatience. “How much longer will you keep this up?”

I stop. Turn. Study his face–the man I married, the father of my child, the stranger standing before me.

“Aires. After everything that’s happened–the restaurant, the ambulance, the accusations, the soup–do you honestly still believe I’m playing games? That this is some elaborate

performance to manipulate you?”

His eyes darken. He’s calculating, reassessing. This morning, his mother called–demanding, as always, that he divorce me or lose her forever. Yesterday, I slapped him in front of

her. I’ve made no secret of my intentions. I’ve left no room for

reconciliation.

“Eleanor.” His voice is different now. Uncertain. “What’s happened to you? You never used to be like this.”

I look at him, waiting for the moment where my heart used to

swoon with hope and joy. And yet, I feel nothing.

“You’re right,” I say quietly. “I never used to be like this. I

used to be the woman who apologized for existing. Who swallowed every insult, every accusation, every betrayal. 6/7