Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

。

Three months passed in the McCloud mansion, each day slipping into the next with quiet, ghostly repetition. Meadow learnt the rhythm of the house quickly, when the servants moved through the corridors, when Amber prowled in search of someone to scold, when Levi wandered with that unsettling gaze of his, when Joseph stopped by briefly to check on his brother, and when Ethan settled into his

silence like armour.

Through it all, Meadow remained on her best behaviour.

She didn’t sign.

She didn’t intrude.

She simply existed. Quietly. Carefully. Invisibly.

Especially around Ethan.

He was a man brilliantly skilled at pretending she wasn’t there. A master of indifference. He moved through the room with a cold sort of independence, his wheelchair gliding smoothly across polished floors, his hands strong and agile despite his injury.

Amber had called Meadow a nanny, but that wasn’t true.

Ethan was self-sufficient.

She helped him with what he physically couldn’t do, small things, private things, but Ethan handled the majority of his needs himself. No tantrums. No dependence. No weakness.shown.

In truth, it made sense why the previous nannies had quit.

Not because the job was too hard,

but because he didn’t want anyone there.

His temper, too, was legendary. But in three months, Meadow never once triggered it. She never gave him reason to. She stayed out of the way, observed quietly, and shaped her routine around his unspoken boundaries.

Sometimes she wished…

just once…

Ethan would speak to her without command in his tone.

Just once. A simple question. A small greeting. Anything.

1/6

14:46 Sat, Jun 13

Chapter 13

But Ethan didn’t speak unnecessarily.

So she kept silent too.

:

There were days Meadow wanted to encourage him to go outside. The sun was warm this time of year, and she often stood by the window, looking longingly at the courtyard. The gardens were beautiful, bright flowers, winding stone paths, soft grass begging to be walked on.

She wished she could show him.

Wish she could take him out for fresh air.

Wish she could see him under sunlight instead of the gloomy shadows of his room.

But she had no voice.

No permission.

And Ethan barely acknowledged her existence.

So she stayed indoors with him.

The loneliness gnawed at her.

Her mind drifted often to Victoria, her loud, cheerful friend, whose laughter could brighten any room. Did Victoria miss her? Did she think Meadow had abandoned her? Did she know Meadow’s phone had been confiscated?

She thought of her parents too. Did they think of her? Did they sleep peacefully, believing she was happy here? Or did they feel guilt creep in at night, knowing they had given her to people who treated her like a possession?

Would they visit?

Would Amber allow it?

Would they fight for her?

Meadow doubted it.

But she clung to a fragile strand of optimism. Someone had to.

One afternoon, something unexpected happened.

A television arrived.

A large, sleek screen wheeled in by the servants. They installed it opposite the couch and left without explanation.

2/6

14:46 Sat, Jun 13

Chapter 13

Meadow turned slowly toward Ethan at his desk.

He didn’t look up.

But she knew.

He had done it.

For her.

Her heart warmed.

:

21

But she was wise. She didn’t dare switch it on when he was in the room. She didn’t want the noise to irritate him. She didn’t want to

burden him. She didn’t want to give him a reason to think the TV had been a mistake.

Every time Ethan rolled into the room, the screen remained dark and silent, like her.

And Ethan noticed.

He didn’t comment, but occasionally he would pause while typing, eyes lifting ever so slightly to glance at the silent TV. Then at her.

Then back to his work.

He was relieved she respected his quiet.

She could see it in the subtle way his shoulders lowered.

And though he never said anything, he secretly wondered:

Does she ever watch it…

or did I buy something she’s too afraid to use?

Sometimes Meadow caught him staring at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.

His expression never changed.

His posture never softened.

But his eyes…

They lingered.

Curious.

3/6

14:46 Sat, Jun 13

Chapter 13

Studying.

Learning.

Trying to understand the mute girl who lived in his room like a quiet, harmless shadow.

And when she caught him staring, Meadow would smile softly.

She never knew why she did.

It was instinct.

A small offering of peace.

His face remained expressionless, but something flickered in his gaze, something unreadable, brief, fragile.

Deep down, Ethan knew she was hurting.

No woman would want this life.

Not the silence.

Not the isolation.

Not the cage.

Not the pressure of caring for a man who refused to be vulnerable, even when vulnerability was unavoidable.

He hated his mother more with each passing day.

She had stolen Meadow’s freedom. Ruined a young woman’s future. Twisted an innocent girl’s life into something unrecognisable. All for

control.

He hated himself too, for being the reason.

He couldn’t send Meadow away.

His mother wouldn’t allow it.

If he tried, Amber would drag Meadow back screaming, and Ethan had no doubts she would punish her violently.

So he kept Meadow close, because it was the safest option.

27

4/6

Chapter 13

But he made a private vow

I won ? touch her.

Not ever.

He would not steal her innocence.

He would not trap her with children she did not choose.

He would not contribute to Amber’s manipulation.

Ethan believed Meadow deserved more.

Better.

Someone whole.

Someone with a future.

Someone whose body and heart weren’t broken.

One day, when he had enough strength, when he had a plan, he would set her free.

Let her live.

Let her love someone else.

Until then, he kept his distance.

Reserved.

Controlled.

Cold.

He didn’t want to grow attached.

Didn’t want her to see the darkness in him.

Didn’t want her to hope for something he could never give.

And yet…

576

:

14:47 Sat, Jun 13

Chapter 13

Every time Meadow smiled at him with gentle, understanding eyes…

Every time she helped him quietly without complaint…

Every time she stayed invisible to protect his comfort…

A crack appeared in his armour.

Small.

Unnoticed by most.

But there.

Three months.

And her presence, her silence, was starting to mean something.

He tried to ignore it.

But he couldn’t.

And for the first time since his accident, Ethan McCloud felt something dangerous beneath the numbness.

He felt alive.

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

<SHARE

6/6

14:47 Sat, Jun 13

Underwater: The Silent Luna