The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 197

**Between the Wings of Twilight Lies the Memory of You**
by Liren Ava Roen

As I stood before the mirror, I meticulously applied my makeup, each stroke of the brush a careful dance. The vibrant red of my dress hugged my curves perfectly, accentuating my figure. My long, curly hair tumbled down my shoulders like a cascade of silk, and the tassel earrings swayed gently as I moved, giving me an air of alluring mystery, reminiscent of a siren luring sailors to their doom.

In the shadows of my past life, Verna’s innocent, ethereal beauty had always cast a long shadow over my own features. I had often found myself envious of her purity, her ability to enchant everyone around her with just a smile. She was the quintessential first love, the kind of girl who could effortlessly capture the heart of someone like Steven. I had even contemplated the idea of plastic surgery, the thought of transforming my appearance to match her allure tantalizing yet frightening. The fear of the pain involved had ultimately held me back, like a tether that kept me from soaring.

But in this new life, as I gazed into my reflection, I saw traces of my mother within my eyes. A swell of pride filled me, a warmth that radiated from deep within. I had come to appreciate my own face, to find beauty in its uniqueness.

Upon arriving at the sprawling Jones family estate, I was immediately enveloped by the vibrant atmosphere of the party. Laughter and chatter filled the air, glasses clinking in a symphony of celebration. As I stepped inside, my gaze fell upon Janice, who was the epitome of grace in her custom-made gown, her hair elegantly swept into an updo that framed her face beautifully. She was a striking vision, a stark contrast to my mother’s perpetually weary expression.

My father stood beside her, a glass of champagne in hand, animatedly engaging with the guests around him. I scanned the room, searching for Antonia, but she was nowhere in sight. A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips—hadn’t she bragged about outshining me tonight? Where could she possibly be?

Just as I pondered this, a gentle voice broke through the din, calling out my name. “Zephyra, you’re here!” It was Janice, her smile warm and inviting as she approached me, exuding the kind of friendliness that suggested we were the closest of allies. “Where’s Steven? Is he parking the car?”

The guests nearby leaned in, their eyes glimmering with interest. After all, he was the president of Aether Studio; who wouldn’t want to curry favor with him?

Before I could respond, my father commanded the room’s attention, his voice cutting through the chatter like a knife. “It’s my in-law on the phone. One moment, everyone.”

The atmosphere shifted instantly, a hush falling over the crowd as all eyes turned toward him. Janice’s expression mirrored the anticipation of the others.

With a flourish, my father put the call on speaker, his demeanor theatrical as ever. I raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism creeping in. In my previous life, after much pleading on my part, Mary had graced our gathering with her presence, elevating my father’s status and ushering in a wave of lucrative business opportunities.

However, in this life, I had managed to thoroughly irritate her, and putting her on speaker was akin to social suicide.

Sure enough, my father’s voice rang out, “Mary, my dear in-law, when can we expect you today? The party is in full swing. Shall I have Zephyra come pick you up?”

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