The True Luna's Forbidden Temptation - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

“Isn't that wonderful?" Vivian clasps her hands together. "We can all help take care of Lorraine."
Lorraine's eyes meet mine, and in them I see not gratitude or vulnerability, but triumph.
"Thank you, Tyler," Lorraine tells Tyler. "I knew I could count on family." Her emphasis on the last word feels like a dagger sliding between my ribs.
I stare at my husband—the man who couldn't be bothered to visit me in the hospital, who demanded I work despite doctor's orders, who never even asked about my own well-being—as he smiles warmly at my stepsister.
"Of course," he says. "That's what family does."
And in that moment, I feel my heart breaking, wondering if Tyler will look at me with such tenderness again. Is it really just because he’s been so busy, so focused on work? Or has he really lost his affection for me?
"I need some air," I announce, standing abruptly.
No one tries to stop me as I walk out of the dining room, leaving behind the charade of family dinner. In the hallway, away from their eyes, I press my hand against my stomach where my own secret grows.
“Your father seems to care more for his cousin than me,” I say, talking to my unborn child.
When I return, I'll need to wear the face they expect: compliant, understanding Analise. But beneath that mask, a storm is gathering. I straighten my shoulders and walk back in.
They don't notice me at first. They're huddled around Lorraine like planets orbiting a sun. Vivian sips her wine while Tanya leans in, hanging on every word. Tyler sits beside her, his expression more animated than I've seen in months.
"I'm sorry," I say, forcing warmth into my voice. "I just needed a moment."
Their heads turn in unison. Four pairs of eyes assess me with varying degrees of judgment.
"Are you feeling better, dear?" Vivian asks. I know that her question is merely a formality. She doesn’t really give a damn about me.
I nod, and this time, I take the seat opposite Tyler. "Yes. I think the hospital stay left me more tired than I realized."
"Hospital?" Lorraine's perfectly arched eyebrows rise. "Was it serious?"
"Just exhaustion," Tyler answers before I can. "Analise has been working too hard." He looks at me, his expression unreadable. "She filed a leave of absence."
“Leave?” My mother-in-law echoes. “As if she’s doing a lot!”
I turn to Vivian. “Yes, Vivian. Contrary to your belief, I’m actually do contribute a lot to TL Glam.” I turn to Lorraine, not giving Vivian a chance to retaliate. “So, Lorraine, I was just wondering. You still have a mother, right? Wouldn’t she want to take care of you? She’ll be better equipped to care for you during a difficult pregnancy. Mothers know best, right?”
She shakes her head, lips curved into a sad smile. "My mother was actually the one who suggested I stay away from home for now." Her eyes meet mine. "If my father found out about the pregnancy... well he would be livid. He'd likely banish me from the family altogether."
I don't miss the way her mouth twitches slightly at the word "banish." I wonder if she’s enjoying this, rubbing my fate on my face.
“It must be quite scary,” I say. “To be cast out by your own family, facing the world with absolutely nothing and no one.” I raise a meaningful brow at her. “I bet you wouldn’t be able to take that.”
She pauses for a while. Then she says, "I hear some people find the experience rather... formative. Maybe some people are just meant to be alone in this world.”
Before I can respond, Tyler places a hand on Lorraine’s shoulder. "You don’t have to worry about being alone. We're family now. We take care of our own."
The tenderness in his voice slices through me. When was the last time he spoke to me that way? I seriously can't remember.
"And what about your brother?" I ask, unable to resist the bait. "Surely he would help you.”
Lorraine's eyes flash cold for just a second before the mask slips back into place. "I haven't seen my brother in almost a decade," she says, her voice hardening. "He doesn't give a damn about anyone." Her eyes lock with mine. "ANYONE!”
The emphasis lingers in the air between us. The last word he says was meant for me. She’s telling me that I’m not special. I’m just like everyone else where Sebastian is concerned. And like me, Sebastian abandoned her, too.
‘Was it really him who brought me to the hospital?’
Lorraine forces a giggle. “Family can certainly be complicated. Especially my family.”
"Not all family," Tyler interjects, his hand still resting on Lorraine's shoulder. "Lorraine, we'll take care of you and the baby. Whatever you need. I am quite capable of giving your child a good home, a great future."
"That's very generous," I say. "But we only have three bedrooms, and my design studio takes up the spare room."
Vivian makes a dismissive noise. "You hardly use that studio anymore. All your work is done at the office."
"I work from home frequently," I counter.
"You can set up a desk in our bedroom," Tyler suggests, as if it's the most reasonable solution in the world. "The design studio has its own bathroom. It would be perfect for Lorraine."
I stare at him, incredulous. "You want me to give up my workspace?"
‘That office was the only thing I requested when he was buying this house!’
"It's temporary," he says, his tone suggesting I'm being unreasonable. "Just until the first trimester is over."
"I don't want to impose," Lorraine says, though her expression says exactly the opposite. "If Analise isn't comfortable with the arrangement..."
"Nonsense," Vivian cuts in. "Analise doesn't have the final say in this house. Tyler purchased it with his hard work. His name is on the deed."
My face burns. "I contributed just as much to this household. My designs—"
"Are company property," Tyler finishes. "The company that I built."
The company that my designs made successful. The company that was built because I sacrificed my brainchild—the Moonstruck.
"I understand this is difficult," Lorraine says, reaching across to place her hand on mine. Her touch feels cold, reptilian. "I know you don't want me here, Analise."
Her statement hangs in the air, as if she’s daring me to deny it. I want to pull my hand away, but doing so would only confirm what she's saying. I'm trapped, and she knows it.
Three pairs of eyes are watching me like a hawk, waiting for me to make one antagonistic move. Right now, I must remember how they see Lorraine—a celebrity. And how Vivian and Tanya view me—a vermin. If I accept defeat against Lorraine, I lose. If I assert my victory, I also lose. Either way, I can’t win this. Not now.
So, I give Lorraine my best, brightest, fakest smile. "Oh, no, Lorraine. You are mistaken." I lie, the words sticking in my throat. "I'm just concerned about your comfort. And your health. I know that you’ve lived in your stepfather’s mansion since you’re fifteen. That twenty bedroom compound is quite vast compared to Tyler’s house.”
“Twenty bedroom?” Tanya echoes. “Wow! I wonder how it feels living in a house like that?”
“Tiring,” I respond almost automatically. “It would take forever just to get from the bedroom to the dining room. That is if you find the right dining room.”
“What do you mean the right dining room?” Tanya asks.
“Er… I heard Peter McGregor’s mansion has four dining areas. One for every season.”
“Wow!” Tanya breathes. “The rich really is on a different level.”
“And how would you know that information?” Vivian scoffs.
“Well… I read it somewhere. I happen to know a great deal about Peter McGregor.” I turn to Lorraine, staring meaningfully at her.
“Peter McGregor must be a difficult man,” Tyler comments. “Nevertheless, we are here since Lorraine needs family.”
"Are you sure, Lorraine?” I ask again. “Living here would be a huge adjustment compared to the life you’re used to.”
Lorraine narrows her eyes, as if giving me a stern warning. Then she forces a smile on her face.
“What are you doing, Analise?” Tyler asks. I detect annoyance in his face. “Are you not trying to make her feel welcome?”
I shake my head. “No, no. Like I said, I just want to make sure that she’s absolutely fine with this setup, considering it’s not what she’s used to.” I sigh. I don’t want to aggravate things further. I can tell that Tyler is hell-bent in letting Lorraine stay. Just the idea of having Tanya, Vivian and Lorraine in the same house as me is making me nauseated. "Anyway, I think I need to lie down," I say, standing carefully. "It's been a long day."
Tyler frowns. "We haven't finished discussing the arrangements."
"I think you've all decided without me," I reply, unable to keep the edge from my voice. "My opinion clearly doesn't matter."
"Analise—" he starts, but I'm already turning away.
"It's fine. Do whatever you want," I say over my shoulder. "I just need some rest."
I make my way to the stairs, feeling their eyes on my back. Each step feels like climbing a mountain. By the time I reach the landing, I hear someone following me. I turn, expecting Tyler, but find Lorraine instead.
"Analise," she calls softly. "Can we talk? Just us?"
"What do you want, Lorraine?”
She doesn’t say anything. Instead, she just keeps staring at my face.
‘Damn! What game is she playing? What does she want?’