Page 42 of A Sinful Gravity

Her.

It was really her.

Luna.

Six years. She stood in the sunlight, much thinner now, her hair lifted slightly by the breeze. Her eyes were still clear, but layered with a cold distance.

I blinked hard, trying to confirm this wasn't a hallucination. After all, I'd seen this scene in countless midnight dreams.

Once I confirmed I wasn't dreaming, longing crashed over me like a broken dam. My heart pounded like it would explode, my throat went dry, and my fingers trembled.

I wanted to run to her, hold her. I wanted to drop to my knees and beg forgiveness. I wanted to scream every word I hadn't said in six years—I was wrong, I've been going fucking insane missing you!

"Mommy!" The little girl turned back, cheerfully waving at Luna.

"Thank you, sir!" She looked back at me, taking a few steps closer with natural trust. "Sir, your hair is like mine! Blonde and curly!"

The words detonated in my brain.

This was Luna's child—no question—those eyes, those dimples, a perfect copy of her. But looking closer, that light golden curly hair, the way it curved...

Like mine.

My breathing quickened. Could this be my child?

Before I could think it through, a soft little hand grasped mine. I saw the little girl reaching up to me.

Almost instinctively, I reached out and lifted her. Her small body was soft and warm, carrying that sweet child-scent, but I barely dared breathe. She wrapped her arms around my neck, giggling.

When did I not realize children could be this adorable? She was like an angel.

My eyes stung. Six years, I'd thought I'd gone numb. But now, all that emotion surged through me like electricity, nearly knocking me off my feet.

"Luna... it's you..." My fingertips trembled slightly as I looked up at her.

Her face looked strained, as if seeing me was deeply unpleasant. It hurt.

Luna didn't speak. She glanced at me, expressionless. But she quickly stepped forward and took the child from my arms—or rather, snatched her away, fast as if afraid I'd hurt her.

Then she handed the child to Chloe. That's when I noticed my sister was there too.

"Long time no see, Mr. King." After putting the child down, she finally spoke, her tone steady but heavily distant. She'd called me Mr. King.

"Luna..." When I spoke her name, my eyes stung again. "It's really you..."

Fuck, Cassian, use the eloquence you have in negotiations. Not this dry, useless rambling.

But I had too many questions clogged in my throat. I couldn't get a single word out.

She smiled—that polite smile reserved for strangers. It stabbed my heart. "I have things to do. I should go."

She nodded to me and moved to leave.

"Can we... talk for a bit longer?" I spoke urgently. I just wanted more time with her. I had so many questions. I couldn't let go of her, couldn't lose her again.

"Talk about what?" She finally looked at me directly, her tone laced with mockery. "Sorry, but I don't think we're close enough for small talk."

"And you really shouldn't go around holding other people's kids."