Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

“Send her to my wing,” Ethan linked the steward, then turned his wheelchair down the long hallway.

By the time he pushed into the room, the faint noise of the television cut abruptly. Meadow leapt to her feet, switching it off as

though she’d been caught committing a crime.

Ethan exhaled quietly.

Not irritation, something closer to regret.

She wasn’t nervous because of the television.

She was nervous because of him. Because of the storm he’d unleashed on her behalf at breakfast.

She stood too straight, fingers clasped, eyes downcast.

Still afraid of offending him.

Still trying to make herself small.

Ethan stared at her longer than he intended. Meadow shifted her gaze away almost immediately, as if she feared she wasn’t allowed

to look directly at him.

Her social instincts were stunted, not because of mutism, but because she’d never been given space to grow. She’d never been

treated like someone with value.

That thought boiled something hot and dangerous inside him.

“Are you feeling nervous?” he asked.

She nodded with a speed that made his chest tighten.

“Why?”

She hesitated, then lifted her hands.

“You argued with everyone because of me… I really don’t mind what Ashley said.”

The signing was small, apologetic, almost guilty.

Ethan’s jaw clenched.

She thinks she deserved disrespect.

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Chapter 35

His anger wasn’t aimed at Meadow, never at Meadow, but at the parents who didn’t protect her, the pack that mocked her, and the Luna who weaponised her silence.

He wheeled closer until he was right in front of her. Close enough to see the faint tremor in her fingers.

“Never think it is okay to be disrespected, Meadow.”

His voice dropped, quiet, firm, absolute.

“You are not beneath anyone.”

He reached for her hand, hesitant, but compelled, and brushed his thumb over the back of her knuckles to steady her.

The effect was immediate. Her shoulders loosened. Her breathing softened.

Ethan wondered, for a split second, if anyone had ever touched Meadow simply to comfort her.

Probably not.

“I promise I won’t stay long where I’m going,” he said gently. “My mother won’t touch you while I’m away. We’ll figure this out

when I return.”

Her misty gaze lifted, soft and trusting. She nodded, swallowing emotion she couldn’t voice even if she wanted to.

He’d seen enough of her nightmares to know fear was eating her alive. The cabin had only been a temporary reprieve. The mansion, his mother, brought her terrors back tenfold.

But then he said the words that transformed her entire face:

“Your friend is here.”

Her eyes widened, sparked, and a smile bloomed so radiant it punched the air out of his chest.

For a moment, Ethan forgot how to breathe.

He had to look away before he did something foolish, like smile back.

He wheeled toward the door, but paused.

“I’d like to spend time with you by the lake on the property,” he said, tone neutral but eyes searching her face. “If you’re up to it.”

She stepped closer so he could see her hands clearly.

“I would love to.”

Ethan nodded once, fighting the warmth threatening to rise in his chest.

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11:19 Wed, Jun 17

Chapter 35

“I had them prepare the room next to ours for your friend. Once I’m away, you can sleep there for now.”

She nodded again, grateful, always grateful.

That bothered him too.

Why did she think she owed film gratitude for basic decency?

One final thought circled his mind as Meadow moved to receive Victoria:

Victoria would only remain for four days.

Four days of safety.

Four days of laughter.

Four days before Meadow was left alone in this house with Amber… and Ashley.

Ethan’s gut twisted. He prayed, actually prayed, that his mother stayed out of Meadow’s path while he was gone.

But deep down he knew better.

Storms like Amber didn’t stay quiet.

Especially not when they sensed a threat to their power.

Or when their son began defending the mute girl they never expected him to care about.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna