She Shines After Leaving Him

Silverlight City, Seabreeze Hotel.

Pale moonlight filtered through the glass, spilling across the rooftop pool. The water rippled in gentle waves, casting shimmering reflections that danced across the surface.

"Marcus, slow down..."

Luna Ramirez was pressed tightly against Marcus Graham's chest, her body forced to match his demanding rhythm. Her porcelain skin rose and fell in the water, flushed a delicate pink.

Five years of marriage, and her usually reserved husband was finally showing this rare intensity.

Luna's nervousness melted into an unexpected sweetness.

But as Marcus's movements grew rougher, Luna found herself struggling to keep up. She tried to pull away, only to be caught by the waist and dragged back into his arms.

"Where do you think you're going? Isn't this what you wanted?"

His voice was hoarse and low in her ear, dangerously seductive.

Luna surrendered to the pull of desire, swept into an endless tide of passion. Like a small boat caught in a storm, she was thrown toward the crest of a wave. White light flashed before her eyes as she lost herself completely.

Afterward, Luna clung weakly to Marcus.

For once, he seemed willing to linger.

He held her in his arms like she was something precious and fragile, one hand around her waist, the other idly running through her hair.

Luna quietly wrapped her arms around him, a secret joy blooming in her chest.

If only this could last forever.

The thought had barely formed when Marcus pulled her back. He looked down at her, his eyes clear of any lingering desire. "Luna, let's get a divorce."

The words hit her like a physical blow.

The warmth she'd just felt turned to ice water, freezing in her veins before shattering into sharp fragments that pierced her from the inside out. Her eyes burned with unshed tears.

"Why?" she managed to ask.

Marcus said nothing, gripping the edge of the pool to pull himself out.

Through the sound of splashing water, Luna followed him like a lost soul. "Did I do something wrong?"

Her voice cracked despite her efforts to steady it. Marcus simply draped a towel over her shoulders, his tone gentle but final. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Then why?

Luna couldn't speak. She could only look up at him.

Her wide eyes seemed to plead silently, accusing him without words.

Marcus held her gaze for a moment before covering her eyes with his hand. His voice was tender and devastating all at once. "I'm sorry, Luna. She's back."

Luna's mind went blank. Her blood turned to ice in her veins.

So that's it.

Her thoughts drifted back five years.

Back then, Marcus had been caught in a scheme by a rival company, resulting in a car accident that left him blind. Worse, nerve damage meant he might be permanently paralyzed.

His girlfriend at the time, Chloe Morris, had chosen her career instead, fleeing to Europe overnight.

The Graham family feared the news would devastate Marcus further, so they found Luna—whose voice and build were remarkably similar to Chloe's—to pose as his bride.

For five years, Luna had devoted herself to Marcus. She'd helped him through physical therapy, encouraged him through every painful exercise, until finally, miraculously, he could walk again.

But stolen things never truly belonged to you.

She'd known for a while that he'd figured out the truth before he even regained his sight—that the woman by his side wasn't Chloe.

Their intimate moments had always been few and far between. Until tonight, when Marcus had suddenly been so passionate. She'd thought maybe, just maybe, he'd had a change of heart.

She hadn't realized it was goodbye.

Luna looked down as tears began to fall.

Pathetic, she cursed herself silently.

Marcus reached out, gently wiping the tears from her cheek. "You're a grown woman. Why are you still crying?"

He pressed a check into her hand. "Write in whatever amount you want."

After all this time with him, he couldn't let her walk away with nothing.

"I don't want it." Luna pushed the check back, looking up at him desperately. "I don't want money, I just—"

"Luna."

He cut her off softly, his smile still warm. "Don't be silly. Take the money. You'll need it."

He filled in the amount himself. Thirty million dollars.

Enough for Luna to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

Generous and heartless.

Luna bit her lip, fighting to keep the sob from escaping.

Marcus's gaze fell on the pendant at her throat.

It was shaped like a crescent moon. On their wedding night, Luna had admitted that the back of the pendant was engraved with the name of someone she loved.

For years, he'd forced himself not to ask. Now, at least, he could let her be with whoever that was.

He smiled. "I know you have someone you care about. After the divorce, you can go be with your true love."

Luna followed his gaze down to her pendant, suddenly understanding. "No, it's not—"

Before she could finish, Marcus's phone rang.

He answered immediately, his expression softening with a tenderness and patience she'd never seen directed at her. "Hey, what's wrong? What do you want to eat? I'll go get it for you right now."

Marcus walked away quickly, his steps light and buoyant.

Even Luna could see how happy he was.

She watched until his figure disappeared from view. Only then did she look away, slowly turning over the pendant in her hand.

Engraved on the back was a single name: Marcus.

Luna stared at it, a bitter smile crossing her face.