Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 307

Chapter 307

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The moment my feet hit the driveway, I knew I needed to do something before Riley’s overprotective instincts kicked into overdrive.

I could already see the way he was positioning himself between me and the mansion’s entrance, like he was mentally cataloging every

possible danger that might exist between here and wherever they’d put me to rest.

I reached out and deliberately caught Ollie’s arm, feeling him startle under my grip. His head whipped around to look at me with wide, confused eyes that were so similar to Riley’s it was almost disorienting. But there were differences too-Ollie’s expression was open and hopeful in ways Riley’s never was anymore, unmarked by the careful guardedness that Andy had instilled in both of us.

“Can you lead me inside?” I asked, keeping my voice casual despite the calculated nature of the request.

Ollie’s confusion deepened, and I saw him glance between me and Riley with obvious uncertainty. “I’m Ollie,” he said slowly, like he

needed to make sure I understood who I was talking to.

“Not Riley. We’re identical but-”

“I know,” I interrupted gently. “I know you’re Ollie. That’s why I’m asking you.”

The shock on his face was almost comical. He opened his mouth, closed it, then looked past me to where Riley was already moving forward with that protective determination I knew so well.

“Riley would just fuss over me the entire walk inside,” I explained, pitching my voice loud enough for my friend to hear. “I need a break from being treated like I’m made of glass.”

“I heard that,” Riley called out, his tone carrying an edge of hurt defensiveness.

“Good,” I shot back. “Then you also heard that I need you to do something for me. I don’t want to see Lyn yet. Can you distract him or

something?”

I felt Riley go very still behind me, and I knew he was processing what I’d just asked. Lyn.

The man I’d tortured under Andy’s orders, the one whose healing ability I’d tested over and over while he screamed. The person whose trauma was directly connected to my actions, even if I’d been manipulated into them.

“I don’t want to leave you alone with- Riley started, but I cut him off.

“Trust me, I said simply, turning to meet his eyes. “Please. Just this once, trust that I know what I need.”

The war playing across Riley’s face was painful to watch. Every instinct he had was screaming at him to stay with me, to protect me,

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Chapter 307

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to make sure I was safe and comfortable. But underneath all that, I could see him trying to respect what I was asking for.

“Ollie,” Riley said finally, his voice taking on that commanding tone that meant he was issuing orders.

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“When you get to our room, make sure Lake sits down immediately. Not on the floor, on the bed or the chair. Get him water if he

wants it. If he looks pale or dizzy, you come find me right away. And don’t let him-”

“Riley,” I interrupted. “I’ll be fine.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but something in my expression must have convinced him. With visible reluctance, he nodded once and headed toward the mansion, probably already planning how to intercept Lyn before I had to face him.

Ollie was staring at me like I’d just performed a miracle. “He actually listened to you,” he breathed. “He never listens to anyone

anymore.”

“He listens when it matters,” I said, gently steering the conversation back on track.

“Now, are you going to show me inside or are we going to stand in the driveway all afternoon?”

That snapped him out of his shock. He nodded rapidly, his entire face lighting up with barely contained excitement as he moved to

support my elbow.

“Yeah, absolutely. Come on, we’re staying in the east wing. Riley and I have been sharing a room, but they set up the sitting area for you with a really comfortable couch that converts to a bed, and there’s-”

He kept talking as he led me toward the entrance, describing the layout of their temporary accommodations with the kind of enthusiasm only a kid trying desperately to impress could manage. I let his words wash over me, focusing more on staying upright and walking steadily than on retaining the information.

The interior of the mansion was impressive in that casually wealthy way that suggested money had been around so long it didn’t need to advertise itself. High ceilings, expensive artwork that was probably original rather than prints, furniture that looked antique but was clearly still functional.

Nothing like the utilitarian spaces Andy had preferred, where everything served a purpose and comfort was secondary to control.

“So, um,” Ollie said as we navigated a wide hallway lined with family portraits. “Thank you. For wanting me to show you around

instead of Riley.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” I said, catching his arm as a wave of dizziness hit. I paused for a moment, breathing through it while Ollie hovered anxiously beside me. “Give me a second.”

“Should I get Riley?” he asked immediately, his voice pitching higher with concern.

“No,” I said firmly, waiting for the world to stop tilting. “I just need to catch my breath. The doctors said I’d have some residual

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Chapter 307

weakness for a while.”

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Ollie nodded but didn’t look convinced. Still, he waited patiently while I gathered myself, and I appreciated that he didn’t try to fill the silence with more nervous chatter. When I finally felt steady enough to continue, I squeezed his arm once in silent thanks and we

kept moving.

“I wanted to apologize,” I said once we’d made it up a flight of stairs and were heading down another corridor. “For Riley sidelining

you all the time. That’s not fair to you.”

Ollie’s step faltered slightly. “It’s cool,” he said quickly, but I could hear the forced casualness in his tone. “Riley’s angry about a lot of things right now. But since you’re awake and you like him, then you can have Riley fuss over you. It’s fine.”

The resignation in those words hit me harder than I’d expected. This kid-and he was just a kid, barely different in age from Riley and me but somehow seeming younger-had already learned to accept being made invisible by his own twin brother. He’d rationalized it, found ways to make it okay in his own head, but I could hear the hurt underneath.

“It’s not cool,” I said, stopping outside what I assumed was their room based on the way Ollie was reaching for the door handle. “And

Riley doesn’t hate you.”

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Reborn From Regret A Second Chance at Luna’s Heart