The ballroom glittered with chandeliers, music, and laughter — but for Alex and Luna, the world had just cracked open.
Mariana's hungry eyes had followed Alex all night, like a predator stalking prey. She had beauty, yes — but she did not have the glow Luna carried, the glow of someone pure-hearted. Yet, Mariana didn't care. She wanted Alex. She wanted him desperately.
When Luna stepped away to the washroom, Mariana seized her chance. She walked up to Alex, heels clicking like knives on marble. Before Alex could react, her hands cupped his cheeks and she leaned forward, lips inches away.
"Alex…" she whispered hungrily.
Alex froze in shock. But just then—Luna returned. Her eyes widened, her heart shattered. To her, it looked like Alex was kissing another woman. Her chest tightened, tears burned her eyes, and her whole world collapsed in a single heartbeat.
"Alex… how could you?" she whispered to herself, before spinning around, her eyes red and swollen, running out of the hall.
"LUNA, NO!" Alex shouted, shoving Mariana away so hard that her heels nearly broke.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Alex roared. "Don't you ever touch me like that again. I respect women, that's why I'm not humiliating you right here — but don't mistake my silence for weakness. Stay away from me."
Mariana's boyfriend stormed over, his face like thunder. He yanked Mariana's arm.
"Enough, Mariana!" he barked, before slapping her across the face and dragging her out.
But Alex didn't care. He only cared about one thing — finding Luna.
He bolted out of the grand party, the sound of music fading behind him. His heart was pounding. His soul was trembling.
"LUNA!" he shouted desperately, running through the streets. And then he saw her — her figure in the distance, walking fast, shoulders shaking with sobs.
"LUNA, please!" His voice cracked, echoing with pain. "Please stop!"
But she didn't. She couldn't.
Her tears blurred her vision. He lied to me… he cheated me… I was a fool to love him, she thought, choking on her sobs.
Finally, Alex caught her arm, spinning her gently to face him. He dropped to his knees right there on the street, his eyes filled with tears.
"Luna," he whispered brokenly. "Please… listen to me."
She shook her head, sobbing harder. "Why, Alex? Why didn't you tell me you already had someone? I wouldn't have fallen for you! I wouldn't have let myself…" her voice cracked. "…dream of you."
Her pain cut through him like knives.
"She's not my someone!" Alex's voice shook as he grabbed her trembling hands. "She means nothing. Do you hear me? NOTHING."
He was crying now, his tears glistening under the streetlight.
"You're the only one, Luna. You're the only person who ever saw the real me, the soft me, the me behind the walls. I love you. God, I love you so much. Please don't leave me. Please… stay."
Luna's tears streamed endlessly. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to run into his arms. But her heart was still breaking into pieces, unsure if it was all real… or just another illusion.
And as Alex stayed on his knees, holding her hands like his whole life depended on it, the world seemed to pause around them.