The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 185

**Between the Wings of Twilight Lies the Memory of You**

I had never imagined I would find myself in such a perplexing situation. In the past, I was acutely aware of how Steven viewed me; to him, I was nothing more than a mere cog in the machinery of his ambitions, a necessary component in a business arrangement rather than a cherished partner. In what felt like another lifetime, I had clung to him with an intensity that bordered on desperation, unwilling to sever the fragile threads that connected us, even as they frayed and strained under the weight of his indifference.

But now, in this moment, particularly after the biting words he had uttered earlier, I was beginning to peel back the layers of illusion. I saw him for who he truly was: a selfish bastard, a man who craved all the pleasures life had to offer, blissfully ignorant of the consequences that trailed behind him like a shadow.

As I stared up at him, a tempest of thoughts swirled in my mind, each one more chaotic than the last. One instant, clarity washed over me like a gentle tide, and the next, I felt myself teetering on the precipice of despair. My words came slowly, each syllable weighed down by the heaviness of my emotions, my eyelids growing heavy, threatening to succumb to the exhaustion that enveloped me.

“That son of a bitch… Who wouldn’t regret marrying him? My insides feel like they’re tied in knots with regret—mmph!”

Before I could fully articulate the whirlwind of frustration bubbling inside me, he lunged forward, his body crashing against mine with an urgency that took me by surprise. It was as if he had reached a breaking point, and in that fleeting moment, he pressed his lips against mine—hard, desperate, and unyielding.

I had been teetering on the edge of consciousness, but that kiss jolted me into a stunned silence. My thoughts raced frantically. *Why would Horace kiss me?* Yet, my gaze was drawn to Steven, whose face twisted into a mask of fury and frustration, leaving me increasingly uneasy.

The kiss was fierce, bordering on brutal. Initially taken aback, I instinctively began to push him away, but his long, powerful fingers ensnared my wrists, pinning them above my head with an iron grip. He held me captive, kissing me as if he intended to consume my very essence, leaving me breathless and trapped in a whirlwind of sensation, unable to break free. Suddenly, my vision faded to black, and the overwhelming force of the kiss sent me spiraling into unconsciousness.

When I finally awoke the next day, I shot upright in bed, my heart racing like a drum in my chest. My long, curly hair was a wild tangle over my shoulders, and I blinked in confusion, taking in my surroundings. This was undoubtedly Rachel’s apartment; the familiar decor and comforting scent reassured me that I had made it back.

So, Horace must have brought me home, I thought. But then a peculiar memory flickered in my mind—a dream where Horace, wearing Steven’s face, had guided me back. He had kissed me, fiercely, and I could almost feel the warmth of his tongue lingering on my lips…

I slapped my cheeks, trying to dispel the lingering sensation that clung to my lips like a ghost. I frowned, muttering to myself, “That felt way too real. What is wrong with me? Am I still caught up in thoughts of Steven?”

It seemed utterly impossible. The only thing I truly desired from him was for him to simply drop dead.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, still clad in the clothes from yesterday. It was Saturday, a day that beckoned for leisurely pursuits. I took my time in the shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of the previous day while I cleaned the apartment and tossed a load of laundry into the machine. I glanced at Rachel’s door, which remained firmly closed; there was no indication of life on the other side.

09:06

**Chapter 185**

I decided against disturbing her.

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