**TITLE: He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**
**Chapter 33: Luna’s Request**
1999
Evelyn had dedicated over ten years of her life to raising Oriana, and as she sat at the dinner table, a whirlwind of emotions swept through her. A thought flickered in her mind, “If push comes to shove, I could always give her some money and let her start a little shop of her own.” The idea was both comforting and troubling, a solution that felt like both a lifeline and a burden.
Across the table, Grant’s face darkened ever so slightly, a shadow of concern passing over his features.
Luna, sensing the tension, glanced at him and let out a light laugh, trying to inject some levity into the atmosphere. “Oh come on! Senior year isn’t that chaotic. Maybe Oriana has her own plans brewing. Once Luna makes her decision, we can talk it over—there’s still time.” Her voice was bright, but her eyes sparkled with uncertainty.
Owen scoffed, his tone dripping with skepticism. “What plans could she possibly have? She’s never shown any initiative. As a child, she simply followed her parents around, and now, she’s just a shadow trailing behind Grant wherever he goes.” His words were sharp, each one laced with an undercurrent of disdain.
“Enough, Owen!” Luna’s voice was firm yet gentle, a reprimand wrapped in care.
“Fine, I’ll let it go. But let’s be honest—she’s ungrateful, and that’s only because you’ve always sheltered her.” Owen’s frustration bubbled beneath the surface, evident in the way he clenched his jaw.
The family continued their meal in silence, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved tensions. Each bite seemed to echo the rift that had formed between them, a chasm of misunderstanding and hurt.
Later, Bramwell retreated to his study, seeking solace in the familiarity of his work. Luna, her mind racing with thoughts, followed him, her heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination.
As she stepped into the room, Bramwell’s surprise was palpable. He quickly masked it with a furrowed brow, a sign of his seriousness. “Luna, you don’t need to plead for Oriana,” he stated, his voice steady but a hint of concern lingered beneath.
“Daddy, I’m not here to plead for Oriana,” she replied earnestly, her voice steady yet soft. “I need to discuss something important with you. Is that alright?”
Bramwell nodded, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
“Daddy, the mix-up at birth between me and Oriana was a mistake that happened years ago. In Seabar, with your connections, your friends know about the struggles you and Mommy faced. But here in Jindiwood, and even beyond, no one understands. Oriana left the Sterling family after I returned. If this information leaks, it could stir up a storm of gossip. It wouldn’t be good for any of us—especially not for me, Oriana, or the family as a whole.”
Luna watched her father’s face, noting the complexity of emotions swirling within him. She chose her words carefully, aware that she didn’t need to lay everything out on the table.
Bramwell, seasoned in the world of business and its intricacies, grasped the subtle implications of her words.
After a moment of silence, he studied Luna intently, recognizing how much she mirrored Oriana in demeanor. “Luna, you’re remarkable. Your thoughtfulness is commendable,” he finally said, his approval evident.
“Don’t worry. The idle gossip from Seabar won’t reach Jindiwood,” he reassured her, his tone more confident.
“Additionally, I’ll arrange for someone to spread the story that Oriana was adopted after we lost a daughter. This way, no one will uncover the truth about the birth switch.”
Luna smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. “Okay, we’ll do it your way, Daddy.”
Meanwhile, Grant had instructed the family maid to pack a meal to take to Oriana. As they were leaving, Owen couldn’t help but remark, “You’re taking our food to Oriana? But she’s such an ungrateful wretch.” His voice was laced with disdain, a reflection of his inner turmoil.
Grant, already seated in the car, shot him a cold, piercing look. “Owen, don’t forget—there was a time when you were quite fond of her, always wanting to play with her every day. Be polite.” His tone was firm, a reminder of their shared history.
Finally, he cast a lingering glance at the door, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him, before he strode away, each step heavy with unresolved feelings.
After breakfast, Oriana, determined to take charge of her life, sent Micah a photo of the marriage license, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Carrying her documents, she approached Micah with a firm resolve. “I want to go to City Hall to transfer my related files,” she declared, her voice steady.
Micah nodded, his demeanor calm and collected. “Alright, I’ll have Chubby call Kieran.”
Oriana waved her hands dismissively. “No need for that. I can handle the documents myself—it’s not complicated.”
Micah’s voice resonated with authority as he replied, “Jindiwood’s procedures are different from Seabar’s. It’s better for Kieran to accompany you than for you to wander around alone.”
Feeling a flicker of uncertainty, Oriana touched her nose, realizing she had never navigated such paperwork herself. It was indeed easy to get lost in the intricacies.
“Alright, I’ll get it done quickly and come back to have lunch with you,” she promised, a hint of determination in her tone.
Micah smiled, his lips curving upward. “Okay, I’ll wait at home.”
Once Oriana left, Micah wasted no time; he sent the marriage license photo to Noah, eager to share the news.
Almost immediately, Noah called via video, his face flushed with agitation, yet a spark of excited anticipation danced in his eyes. “Micah, you’re not joking about this, are you?” he asked, his voice a mixture of disbelief and excitement.

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