Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Ethan and Joseph sat quietly at the back of the van, the hum of the engine the only sound between them. The silence was thick, strained, filled with memories neither of them wanted to revisit.

This was the first time they were traveling together since the accident.

Since Ethan lost the use of his legs.

Since Joseph carried guilt he never voiced.

Since their relationship fractured into something sharp-edged and fragile.

Now they sat side by side, pretending the air wasn’t tense.

The two brothers also carried fresh wounds, wounds from recent arguments about Meadow and Ashley. Their tempers had collided

like storm clouds, each defending the woman in his life.

Ethan stared out the window, his blank expression hiding the war inside him.

He wasn’t thinking of Joseph.

He wasn’t thinking of their fight.

He was thinking of Meadow.

Of the night before.

Of the closeness.

Of her warmth pressed against him.

Of how natural it felt to hold her.

Of the shy joy in her eyes when she found the phone he’d gifted her.

He wanted last night to be real, not just a moment created by circumstances, pity, or loneliness.

She was an amazing woman.

Gentle. Kind. Comfortable in silence.

She soothed the loudest parts of his brokenness without trying.

But deep down, a familiar doubt gnawed at him.

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Chapter 54

If he stood in a crowd would she have picked him?

Or would she have chosen someone like Joseph, who was able-bodied, confident, and charming?

The thought made his jaw tighten.

He didn’t want to be loved out of necessity.

Or gratitude.

Or pity.

He wanted Meadow to want him.

He balled his fist subtly, hoping he was wrong. Hoping she wasn’t lying to herself. Hoping, for once in his life, someone might

choose him, not because they had to, but because they wanted to.

“Hey,” Joseph said suddenly.

Ethan turned, expression flat, unreadable.

Joseph exhaled and rubbed his palms on his jeans. “I want to apologise for my behavior yesterday morning. I shouldn’t have

snapped at you.”

Ethan nodded. “I’m not mad,” he said. “I just didn’t like the level of disregard and disrespect toward Meadow.”

Joseph lowered his head, ashamed.

“I thought about it,” he admitted quietly. “What I said was fucked up. I shouldn’t have called her a live-in nanny.”

The words hit the air heavily.

Ethan didn’t flinch, but inside it stung.

Because that’s what Meadow thought she was too.

Joseph continued, voice softer, heavy with sincerity.

“I’m just worried you’ll get attached, and she’ll behave like the other girls before her. Mother may have her bound on a contract, but if she finds a loophole… or if someone else challenges you for her… I don’t want to see you hurt again.”

Ethan studied him for a moment.

Joseph’s fear wasn’t cruel.

It was protective.

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He was remembering Cynthia.

He was remembering how broken Ethan had been when she left.

“I understand your concern,” Ethan said. “And I am on my guard.”

Then his tone sharpened, gentle, but firm.

“All I want is your cooperation.”

Joseph looked up.

“I know you love Ashley,” Ethan continued, “even though I do not like her for personal reasons. But I won’t tolerate her being rude

to Meadow.”

Joseph blinked, surprised by Ethan’s blunt honesty.

“Whether you like it or not,” Ethan said, “Meadow is my wife. And I doubt I’ll let her go.”

The admission hung in the air.

Joseph stared.

Ethan rarely declared anything about Meadow openly.

This meant something.

“You may be acting Alpha,” Ethan went on, “but I am the alpha and technically, Meadow should be Luna. Not that I’m naming her

that, but Ashley should respect my wife.”

His voice hardened.

“I hate the attitude she gives Meadow. Today, Meadow didn’t congratulate her on the engagement, not because she didn’t want to, but because she didn’t want to stir problems. And it shouldn’t be so.”

He exhaled slowly, emotion finally spilling through the cracks in his calm exterior.

“Meadow has equal rights,” Ethan said. “She should be loved too. She’s doing her best. The least our family can do is appreciate

her.”

Joseph let the words sink in.

He swallowed, nodding slowly. “Ashley and I fought about it,” he confessed. “And I agree with you. She’s promised to behave

herself.”

He hesitated.

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His voice dropped.

“I guess… she didn’t understand the implications of her actions. And, our mother… she was the ring leader in all this. She’s the one

to blame.”

He sighed heavily, shoulders slumping as he finally admitted it.

Comments

T Tracy Gordon

3/Comments

well if he hadn’t had the accident she wouldn’t be chosen. he would still be with Cynthia so her worries aren’t unwarranted

7 days ago

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Underwater: The Silent Luna