Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

As Meadow and Victoria walked down the long hallway of Ethan’s wing, several staff members paused in their duties to greet

Meadow, each of them signing politely and respectfully.

Meadow returned every greeting with a small smile.

Victoria, however, bristled immediately.

“She is mute, not deaf,” Victoria snapped, her eyes narrowing.

A few staff members stiffened in surprise.

Meadow quickly shook her head and touched Victoria’s arm.

“They just want me to know they understand sign language, Vicky,” Meadow signed gently. “Alpha Ethan asked Beatrix to hire staff

skilled in it. They’re trying to make me comfortable.”

Realisation softened the staff’s posture, and Meadow signed apologies for Victoria’s outburst.

Victoria huffed, arms folded, still glaring slightly.

“I do not trust that Ethan guy,” Victoria linked sharply, frustration burning at the edge of her voice.

Meadow squeezed her hand gently, reassuring, firm, warm.

“We will talk about it when we are alone,” she signed. “You have nothing to be afraid of. He is a nice guy.”

But Victoria wasn’t comforted.

She loved Meadow.

She knew how delicate her friend’s heart was.

And she hated, truly hated, that Meadow had been forced into a marriage she never asked for. That she had been paired with a man

who, in Victoria’s eyes, was grumpy, unpredictable, crippled, and emotionally walled-off.

Victoria would have preferred Joseph for Meadow. Someone charming. Someone healthy. Someone easier.

And the deeper they walked into this mansion, the more Victoria sensed something was wrong.

Meadow wasn’t treated like family.

Not by anyone except Ethan.

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Chapter 50

Victoria kept these thoughts to herself… for now.

They reached the garden.

Meadow froze in surprise.

Ashley was there too, sitting at the small round table beside Luna Amber. Ashley looked uneasy, fidgeting with the handle of her

juice glass.

Amber’s eyes snapped up at Meadow immediately.

“I guess tardiness is a habit of yours, and you’ve infected my son with it,” Amber said coldly.

Meadow bowed her head in apology, hands clasped in front of her.

Amber rolled her eyes dramatically.

“What is she saying?” Amber asked Victoria, even though anyone with half a brain could see Meadow was apologising.

Victoria’s jaw clenched.

“It’s clear she’s apologising,” Victoria said obediently. “We are sorry we’re late, Luna. It was my fault. I delayed her.”

Amber stared at her for a few seconds, then nodded dismissively.

She gestured lazily to the seats.

Meadow and Victoria sat quietly, keeping their gaze lowered.

Silence pressed down on them like thick fog.

Meadow folded her hands tightly on her lap, trying not to fidget… trying not to show discomfort… trying not to draw attention.

A staff member approached quietly, serving tea. Another brought fresh juice for Ashley.

“No tea for you until my grandchild is here,” Amber said pointedly to Ashley.

Ashley flushed with a shy smile.

And just like that, Meadow understood, Ashley was pregnant.

Victoria translated Meadow’s quiet congratulations, but Ashley responded reluctantly, barely glancing her way.

Meadow’s heart shrank.

She regretted saying anything at all.

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Chapter 50

The silence returned, awkward, heavy, suffocating.

And then Amber struck.

“So,” she said with icy sweetness, “how are things progressing between you and Ethan? You know I want grandchildren.”

Her sharp gaze slid to Meadow’s bare neck, no mark, no bond, no symbol of love or acceptance.

Meadow’s breath caught.

She signed quietly, “We are making an effort.”

Victoria translated.

Amber snorted.

“Your effort is not good enough,” she said, voice turning cold. “I want grandchildren. That is what I got you for.”

Victoria stiffened violently.

Meadow went still, eyes lowering.

“You are to care for my son’s needs and bear his children,” Amber continued ruthlessly. “As for the Luna position, Ethan is dreaming

if he thinks you will ever be given that respect.”

Every word cut deeper.

“A mute cannot take over from me.” Amber’s lip curled. “So Ashley will be doing it. Joseph is the acting Alpha, whether Ethan likes it or not. You”, she pointed directly at Meadow, “are a nobody here. And you will remain so. Am I clear?”

Meadow felt something inside her fold in on itself.

She nodded silently.

Because what else could she do?

Her voice didn’t work.

And even if it did…

Amber would never hear her.

WED

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