Switched Bride, True Luna - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Logan
As soon as my father left, my chin fell to my chest. There was never a moment of peace so long as my father was around.
I had hoped our efforts had been enough to prove that Emily was fit for the role of Luna, but he was insistent that I eventually reject her.
I had originally intended to do that, but as more time passed, I found that I was reluctant. Emily was a valuable asset and more interesting than any other woman I had met. Starting all over again would not only be troublesome, but it may not work as well.
I only told my father what he wanted to hear in order to get him off my back. I didn’t want to tell him my mixed feelings about the situation.
He didn’t need to know. Besides, he’d only see me as weak for thinking like this.
I loosened my tie, and I was reminded of the time that Emily had tied my bowtie for me. She had not done a terrible job, and it was only a little bit crooked.
But it was fun to tease her.
I enjoyed the way she held her breath when she was close to me. The way her fingers shook as she moved the material was all too amusing. I wasn’t sure if it was nerves or something else, but no matter what it was, it was my favorite moment of the night.
I sighed heavily and rose from my chair. I had better go find Emily.
When I found her, she was in the dressing room. Her back was to me as she sat on a stool, and she looked into a mirror.
From the threshold, I saw her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes and nose were red, and it was easy to see she had been crying.
After the day we had, it must have been overwhelming and exciting. They had to be tears of joy. The idea that she was so happy, she’d cried, made my heart leap in happiness.
I went up behind her and with a big smile wrapped my arms around her.
“Were you waiting for me?” I asked, voice low.
I had expected that she might hug me or maybe even give me another little kiss. Instead, she pulled away from me and stepped several feet away.
“We don’t need to pretend to be intimate when no one is watching,” she said. Her voice was empty, and when she looked at me, I saw something in her eyes I’d never seen before. Was that disappointment?
My face fell. “What happened?” There had to be a reason for her sudden change in attitude.
“Nothing happened. We should remember that we are a contract couple, and we don’t have to like it’s something more when we don’t have to.”
I was at a loss for words. Emily took that opportunity to turn and leave, and I stood alone with nothing but my confusion.
I collected myself, a new determination rising. If I’ve done something wrong, I’d fix it. I won’t let Emily walk away.
I hurried out into the hallway and made my way towards the door. I wasn’t even a minute behind Emily, so I should be able to catch up to her before she leaves.
When I threw open the doors, I glanced up and down the street. It didn’t take long to find Emily, but she was already in a conversation with someone else.
Michael.
I scowled. Even thinking his name made my blood boil.
To my surprise, Emily got into his car with him.
Was this why she had suddenly changed so much? If Michael had come crawling back for her, maybe she thought she didn’t need me anymore. Or she could be creating a distance between us to not interfere with her relationship with Michael.
I turned to go back inside, but I couldn’t hide my displeasure.
Emily
“Emily!”
As I stormed off down the street, I didn’t pay attention to anything around me. I kept walking, my pace quick.
“Wait!” Warm hands clasped my shoulders, and I looked up to meet Micahel’s gaze. I’d nearly run into him.
“Not right now, I’m busy,” I told him. I pulled out of his grasp and continued to walk. Michael trailed behind me.
“Come on, Emily, we haven’t had a chance to talk since… well…” he trailed off. He knew very well what he did. But he didn’t want to say it. So I would.
“Since you cheated on me?” I said. I stopped and turned to him. The look of shame on his face almost made me laugh.
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, I know that. Everyone was telling me what to do, and I made the mistake of listening to them. If there’s anything I can do to make up for it, anything I can do to be with you again,” Michael said.
I laughed. “Do you really want to get back together?”
“Yes.”
“Why? Is it because Chloe has dumped you?”
Michael looked away. “No. I love you.”
“If you loved me, you wouldn’t have slept with my step-sister.”
“I made a mistake.”
“That was much bigger than a mistake. You only care about our relationship now that you have something to gain from it.”
The only reason he was here now was because I was making a name for myself. I’d put myself out there for all to see today, and I received public support.
I started to realize that Michael never loved me in the first place. I was a means to an end, and no more.
It was not unlike my contract with Logan. But at least Logan was honest about our relationship. He had the decency to lay down a contract between us. I’d known from the beginning what he expected of me.
“You know that’s not true,” Michael said.
“It is absolutely true. Leave me alone, Michael. I don’t want to see you again.” I turned to leave, but Michael grabbed my arm.
“Wait!”
“No. I’ve had enough of this. Let me go.”
“I have evidence that can help you in a lawsuit against your family. You could get your inheritance back.”
I hesitated. He’d never brought this up before, even though I’d talked about suing my family for a long time.
“Why are you just now bringing this up?”
“I wasn’t sure if it was good information. But I’ve checked up on it, and it’s a solid lead.”
I was suspicious. Of course a lead wouldn’t magically pop up as soon as it benefitted Michael. Even if he was lying, I had to check. Otherwise, I’d never stop thinking of it.
“Alright, what is it?”
“Come with me, and I’ll give you everything you need.”
I hesitated. Then again, if Michael had evidence, it might be the best chance I had since Logan wasn’t interested in handling this issue. I’d have to check it myself if I wanted to make any progress. Any lead was worth following.
“Fine.” Michael lead me to his car, and I got into the passenger seat while he got into the driver’s side.
I’d go with, but it was only for the evidence. If it was true, it could shift things in my favor. If he was lying, which he probably was, then I’d have lost time, and that was it.
Plus, it took my mind off how much my chest hurts. What Logan said to his father felt like a betrayal despite the fact I knew our relationship was a contract.
This was the best distraction I could ask for.