Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 84

Aires‘ POV

I’ve just stepped off the plane, exhaustion pressing down on me after days of intense negotiations and a long flight. My

phone rings. The kindergarten. Again.

“Change of plans.” I tell Bruno, who’s already pulling the car

around. “Head to the school.”

He glances at me in the rearview mirror, cautious. “What’s happened with Aeson now, sir?”

I lean back, rubbing my temples. The familiar throb of

tension headaches begins behind my eyes. “Another fight

with that boy. Robin.”

Bruno is quiet for a moment. “Children his age often have

difficulties, sir. My nephew is a year older, and my sister is constantly being called to his school.”

“He’s never caused me problems before.”

A careful pause. “That’s because Mrs. Perseus always handled everything, sir. She never bothered you with thesЯ:39

< Chapter 84

matters.”

The words land somewhere uncomfortable.

Aeson only started at this kindergarten six months ago, after

his health finally stabilized. Before that, he was constantly

ill. I remember, vaguely, being told about hospital visits,

emergencies. But I was always working. Always traveling.

Always unavailable.

Eleanor called Bruno, I recall. Several times, when Aeson’s

condition was critical and she couldn’t reach me. Even

through Bruno’s professional tone, I could hear the fear in her

voice.

I’d call back hours later, after landing, after meetings, after

whatever crisis I was handling. By then, Aeson was always

stable. Always fine. I never thought to ask how it happened.

Now, with work barely contained, I’m being summoned to

deal with playground fights. Things Eleanor used to handle

without a word.

Irritation flares. I pull out my phone and dial her number.

It rings. Then goes to voicemail.

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I try again. Same result.

Again. Nothing.

My grip tightens on the phone. She’s been getting bolder.

More defiant. I’ve let her mistakes slide, overlooked her

behavior, and this is how she repays me?

Fine. If she wants to play games, she’ll learn there are

consequences.

I dial the school back. “I’m on my way. And notify Mrs.

Perseus that if she doesn’t respond, there will be…

ramifications.”

Talia’s POV

I walk into the kindergarten office and stop short. Of course.

Aires and Imema are here, exactly as I expected.

Imema holds Aeson in her arms, murmuring soft comforts,

stroking his hair like a devoted mother. He nestles against her, soaking up the attention.

Robin stands alone on the other side of the room. Small.

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Aires’s eyes flash dangerously. “Are you cursing your own

child?”

I laugh, short and sharp. “Are you blind and deaf? Your

precious Ms. Volkov is the one who cursed him. I’m simply

pointing out your hypocrisy.” I tilt my head. “There’s a talent show coming up, isn’t there? You two should perform together. You’re already such a convincing team.”

I turn away from them, focusing on Robin. My voice softens instinctively. “Sweetheart. Tell me what happened.”

He looks up at me, then glances at Aeson. Hesitates. Steps

back.

Something in my chest clenches. I walk toward him,

crouching to his level. “Robin. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’ll make sure you’re okay.”

His voice is barely a whisper. “I’m fine, Ms. Perseus. Really.” Another glance at Aeson. “About the talent show this

weekend… maybe we shouldn’t go. It’s okay if you don’t want

to anymore.”

Before I can respond, Imema’s voice cuts in, dripping with false concern. “Ms. Perseus, as Aeson’s mother, isn’t it rather 5/9

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inappropriate to attend a competition with another child

instead of your own?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Is Aeson dropping out, then?”

She falters, just for a second. “Well… since you weren’t willing

to participate with Aeson, he asked me instead.”

“So he asked you? Or you offered?”

She opens her mouth, but Aeson beats her to it.

“I asked Ms. Volkov!” His chin lifts proudly, defiant. “This is

a talent show. You can’t do anything. What’s the point of you coming? Everyone would just laugh at me. I’d be so

embarrassed.”

The words hit like stones. But I don’t flinch. Don’t react. Just

watch my son’s face, so certain of my inadequacy.

Aires’s voice cuts through, sharp as a whip. “Aeson. Shut up.”

Aeson flinches, shrinking behind Imema.

She wraps protective arms around him, turning to Aires with wide, wounded eyes. “Aires, please don’t be so harsh. Aeson 6/9

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only wants to do well–you’ve always expected so much from him, and he’s never disappointed you. He’s top of his class, always striving for excellence. It’s natural he wants the best chance to win.” She glances at me, her voice dropping. “But

Ms. Perseus… with a son as talented as Aeson, perhaps you should consider improving yourself. As parents, we shouldn’t

hold our children back.”

Aires says nothing, but something shifts in his expression. Agreement, maybe.

Robin steps forward, small body trembling with fury. “Ms.

Perseus wouldn’t hold anyone back! She’s amazing!”

Aeson snorts. “She’s my mom. I know what she can do better

than you. You should find someone else for the competition, Robin. Unless you want to cry when you lose.”

Robin points at him, his voice rising. “Ms. Perseus isn’t anything like what you say! You’re the one who’ll cry! Grades aren’t everything–you’re good at school but you treat your

own mother like garbage. What’s the point of being smart if

you’re an awful person?

“The people who get laughed at aren’t the ones who lose. They’re the ones who disrespect their mothers and side with 7/9

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strangers!”

Aeson steps back, momentarily stunned.

Imema frowns, her voice taking on a wounded tone. “Ms. Perseus, I understand you’re unhappy about my relationship with Aeson. But Robin is just a child. Surely you don’t need to teach him to attack his own son? If you’re willing to come back and care for Aeson yourself, I promise I’ll step away

completely.”

The performance is flawless. In a few sentences, she’s accused me of manipulating Robin, dismissed him as a tool, painted me as neglectful yet possessive, and positioned

herself as the selfless martyr.

Aires looks at me with undisguised disappointment. “Eleanor. Have you really sunk so low as to use a child?”

I smile. Calm. Certain.

“Ms. Volkov.” My voice is pleasant, conversational. “Could you

do me a favor?”

She blinks, thrown by my tone. “What kind of favor?”