---
Episode 3: The Proposal
"I'm not marrying you," Evan whispered.
Her voice was small, but her eyes blazed with resistance.
Abel stood perfectly still, hands behind his back like a soldier. "Then you leave me no choice."
Evan folded her arms over her chest. "You're not threatening me. That won't work."
He tilted his head slightly. "You think I'd hurt you?"
"You already did."
The silence that followed was heavy. Unforgiving.
He stepped forward, slow, measured. "I offered you protection. Stability. My name."
"I didn't ask for any of it."
Abel's gaze dropped to her stomach. "But he did. Or she."
Evan flinched.
"Don't you dare use the baby as leverage."
"This isn't leverage," he said coldly. "It's legacy."
"You and your legacy," she snapped. "God, you're so obsessed with control. What happened to that sweet boy I used to know?"
Something flickered in Abel's eyes.
He looked away for a second too long.
Then his voice came back like ice. "He died the day your father spat on my mother's grave."
The words hit her like a slap.
Abel turned and walked to the bar, pouring a drink.
"I'm not asking you to love me, Evan," he said, swirling the amber liquid. "I'm offering you security. And in return, I keep my heir under my roof. My name. My rules."
She took a step back. "And what do I become? A contract? A vessel?"
He raised his glass. "You become a Luna."
---
Three Hours Later – Evan's Apartment
Nori slammed a cup of chamomile tea down in front of her. "Girl, what do you MEAN he wants to marry you?"
Evan paced the living room, her hair in a messy bun, voice shaking. "He said it's about the baby. That it's about legacy."
"No. No no no. That is a big red billionaire flag. You can't just say yes to that. It's not a proposal—it's a trap."
"I didn't say yes."
"Good. Because unless he's got feelings for you, you'd just be a headline on his next press release."
Evan paused.
"Do you think he does?"
Nori blinked. "What? Like feelings-feelings? You've known him for five minutes and most of it was foreplay and fury."
Evan sank into the couch.
She hated this.
She hated that a small part of her wanted to say yes—not for money, or safety—but because Abel Luna had looked at her like she was the only thing that ever made him feel.
Even if it was for the wrong reasons.
---
Two Days Later – Abel's Private Townhouse, Upper East Side
The black car pulled up in front of towering iron gates. Evan's stomach twisted.
She hadn't agreed. Not officially.
But after two days of silence… Abel sent a car.
No instructions. Just the destination.
A part of her had hoped he'd forget. Or let it go.
But this was Abel Luna.
Nothing was ever forgotten. Nothing was ever let go.
The butler opened the front door before she could knock.
"Miss Dendelion," he said, bowing his head slightly. "Mr. Luna is waiting in the study."
She stepped inside.
The house was nothing like the cold, clinical design of LunaTech Tower. It was warm, almost old-fashioned. Mahogany wood, vintage rugs, oil paintings that didn't scream status—they whispered legacy.
This was his real home.
Not the penthouse.
Not the office.
This… this was the Abel no one saw.
She stepped into the study and found him by the fireplace, sleeves rolled, no tie.
He looked tired.
Human.
"I didn't say yes," she said softly.
"I didn't expect you to."
"Then why am I here?"
He looked at her, jaw tense.
"Because I'm not giving you time to disappear."
Evan's breath caught.
"Do you really think I'd run?"
"You already did."
She lowered her eyes. "I was scared."
"So am I."
That made her look up.
Abel Luna. Scared?
He walked toward her, slowly, eyes never leaving hers. "I don't know how to love, Evan. I'm not asking you to fall for a man who's already broken. But I do know how to protect. I know how to build a world where you and the baby won't ever need anything."
She hesitated.
"And if I say no?"
"Then I'll fight you for custody," he said simply. "And I will win."
Her stomach churned.
She hated how calm he was.
How confident.
But more than that… she hated that she wasn't entirely sure he was wrong.
He could destroy her in court. With his money. His power. His connections.
She had none of that.
All she had was this baby. And a dream of peace.
Evan exhaled. "One condition."
His brows rose slightly.
"You don't touch me unless I say so."
He stepped closer. "Done."
"And I keep working on my project."
"You'll have a lab."
"No press. No public circus. No Luna-branded wife."
"Not until you're ready."
Evan stared at him for a long moment.
Then she whispered—
"Fine."
---
Two Weeks Later – Private Ceremony, Sealed Records
The ceremony was quick.
Private. No guests. No press.
Just a judge, two forged smiles, and a contract so thick it needed three signatures and a witness.
She wore ivory silk. Simple. Elegant. Unwanted.
He wore black. Sharp. Immaculate. Unreadable.
When the officiant said, "You may kiss the bride," Evan froze.
But Abel didn't move.
Instead, he looked her in the eye and said, "We don't perform, remember?"
She nodded once.
Relieved.
But somehow…
Disappointed.
---
Later That Night – Luna Estate Master Bedroom
She didn't know why she couldn't sleep.
Maybe it was the unfamiliar mattress. Maybe it was the fact that her wedding ring was already digging into her skin.
Or maybe it was knowing he was just across the hall. Awake. Waiting.
But not for her.
Not anymore.
The door opened softly.
Her heart jumped.
But it wasn't Abel.
It was a housekeeper, eyes down.
"Mr. Luna asked me to bring this to you."
She handed Evan a sealed envelope.
Evan opened it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
> **To my wife,
There are parts of me you'll never like.
But I will never be the man who leaves.
Not to you.
Not to our child.
– Abel**
Her throat tightened.
She folded the note, pressed it to her chest, and finally—
Slept.
---
End of Episode 3
> Next Episode: Evan moves in. Abel keeps secrets. And someone from her past returns... with danger.