Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 86

Talia’s POV

Imema’s face pales, a flicker of panic crossing her features before she masters it. She thinks no one notices, but I notice

everything.

Aeson’s voice rings out, defiant and sure. “I know it myself! I was sick but not completely out of it. I heard things! I heard what you really wanted!”

Imema exhales, relief flooding her eyes. Aeson didn’t betray

her secret, and she is safe… for now.

Aeson glares at me. “And you, mom! Don’t change the subject by blaming Imema. Just tell me if it’s true!”

I see Imema’s panic, and the subsequent I see her relief. The

connection is unmistakable.

Robin’s small voice cuts through, fierce and protective. “Ms.

Perseus saved you! She had the spray, and I used it on you like she said. Everyone saw it!”

Aegon sneers. “Liar! That spray was useless, I threw it away:40

< Chapter 86

You should have let the real doctor save me.”

I look at my son, and feel nothing but a vast, empty

numbness. He’s too far gone, the poison has worked too well.

The only strategy left is damage control.

I turn to Aires. “Robin saved Aeson’s life. Your son is treating

his savior like a murderer. Don’t you have anything to say?”

Aires’s voice is measured, calm. “Aeson was barely conscious.

It’s understandable he misremembered.”

“Misunderstanding was acceptable back then.” My voice

is ice. “He’s been out of the hospital for days and still

believes this. Still hates the child who saved him. Is that still

understandable, Aires?”

He has no answer. He looks at Aeson, and I see his brow

furrow.

Aeson’s eyes hold something ugly when he glances at me. Hatred and resentment, things no child should feel for their

mother.

I don’t react, I’m too far past feeling. But Aires notices the 2/8

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contrast. The warmth when I look at Robin, and Aeson’s

hostility when he looks at me. The way our family has

fractured without anyone noticing.

“Aeson.” Aires’s voice is firm. “You weren’t fully aware since

you were unconscious. It was your mother and Robin who saved you.”

Aeson’s confidence wavers. “They… they saved me?”

I see my opening. “If you don’t believe me, ask Ms. Volkov.”

Aeson turns to Imema instantly. “Ms. Volkov, didn’t you say—”

“Aeson!” Imema’s voice is sharp, panicked. “It was your

mother and Robin who saved you. You… you must have been

confused.”

I smile. “Let him finish, Ms. Volkov. What were you about to

say?”

Robin tugs my sleeve, stage–whispering. “Ms. Perseus, is something wrong with her eyes? She keeps blinking funny. I have really good eye drops at home. Should I recommend

them?”

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Even Aires’s patience cracks. He looks at Imema, then at the

teacher, his expression shifting.

“What exactly is going on here?”

The teacher, who’s watched the entire scene unfold with

growing understanding, steps forward smoothly. “It’s a minor disagreement between children. Nothing serious.”

She pauses. “However, perhaps we should discuss this privately? The ongoing conflict between Aeson and Robin is becoming disruptive.”

Another teacher appears. “If you’ll both come with us? Separate rooms, just to clarify things.”

Aires and I are guided in different directions.

Imema’s POV

After our last confrontation, Aires’s attitude toward me has

shifted. I see it in the way he looks at me now, with less trust

and more questions. If he discovers I’ve been manipulating

Aeson, feeding him lies about that day… I don’t want to think

about the consequences.

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While the teachers speak with Aires and Eleanor in separate

offices, I seize my chance. I pull Aeson into a hidden corner behind the stairwell, away from prying eyes.

“Aeson.” I keep my voice low, urgent. “You promised me. You

said you wouldn’t tell anyone I told you about that day.”

Aeson’s face crumples with guilt. “Ms. Volkov, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say the wrong thing. It’s just…” He looks up at

me, confusion clouding his young eyes. “Dad said Mom and

Robin saved me. But you told me they stopped the doctors

from helping. I don’t understand. Who’s telling the truth?”

I crouch down, taking his small hands in mine. “Silly boy, your dad is just trying to protect you. He doesn’t want you to be sad, doesn’t want to damage your relationship with your

mother. Sometimes adults lie to spare children’s feelings,

even when the truth is-”

“You lie!”

The voice cuts through like a blade. We both whip around

to find Robin standing a few feet away, arms crossed,

expression nothing like the pitiful child from moments ago.

His eyes gleam with intelligence; cold, calculating, far beyond his years.

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“I wondered why you two were sneaking off.” He smiles, and

it’s unsettling. “So this is where you whisper your secrets.”

I stare at him, shock rooting me in place. “You-”

This isn’t the same child. This is someone else entirely.

I force myself to breathe, to smile, to recover. “Robin, sweetheart. When did you get here?”

“Long enough.” His voice is calm, pleasant. “Long enough to hear everything. You’re the one who told Aeson we stopped the doctors. You’re the one making him think Mr. Perseus is lying.”

My heart hammers. “Robin, you misunderstood. I never said

He tilts his head, looking between me and Aeson with that too–wise gaze. “Didn’t you? Then what did you say? That Ms. Perseus and I tried to help while you kept stopping us? That you almost prevented Aeson from being saved?”

Aeson’s face flushes with rage. “You’re lying! You and your mommy dearest stopped the doctors!”

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Robin shrugs, completely unbothered. “You’re the one

twisting everything.” A pause, then a sudden, wicked smile. “Hey, Aeson. Is Ms. Perseus really your mom?”

Aeson sputters, furious. “You’re a bad kid! You say one thing

to my face and another behind my back!”

Robin laughs, bright and mocking. “Yeah, I’m a bad kid. Come bite me if you’re mad enough!”

I stare at him, nearly speechless. This child is a chameleon: sweet and pitiful one moment, vicious the next. He’s a

troublemaker, a real one.

Aeson lunges forward, blind with rage. I grab him, holding

him back. “Aeson, stop! He’s just trying to provoke you!”

“Provoke me?” Aeson’s breath comes in angry gasps.

Robin speaks slowly, casually, like he’s discussing the weather. “That’s right. I’m provoking you. Making you lose

control so Ms. Perseus sees you being the bad one. So she

feels sorry for me and takes my side. So she makes you

apologize.”

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Aeson stares, disbelief warring with fury. “You… you admit it?”

Even I can’t hide my shock. I know manipulation–I’ve built

my life on it. But admitting it openly? That’s either stupidity or

supreme confidence.

Robin’s too smart for stupidity.

He catches my gaze and smiles again–that innocent, angelic smile that’s anything but.

“Ms. Volkov,” he says sweetly, “you should be more careful

who you whisper to. Walls have ears. And I have very good

ones.”

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