Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

When Meadow saw the non-disclosure agreement Amber had forced Victoria to sign, a strange thought crossed her mind.

She keeps many contracts…

The realisation sat uneasily in her chest. Amber did not merely rule with presence–she ruled with paper, with ink, with quiet signatures that bound futures without noise. Meadow wondered, fleetingly, if Ashley would one day be handed such a document to A contract that would seal her into obedience. Into silence. Into destiny not entirely her own.

The thought lingered even as Victoria’s car rolled slowly down the long stone driveway.

the

Meadow stood by the tall front windows, watching until the vehicle became a shadow, then a blur, then nothing at all beyond iron gates. The emptiness that followed was immediate and sharp. Victoria had been her voice when hers stayed hidden. Now the air felt heavier without her laughter echoing through it.

Only minutes later, the sleek black car meant to take them into town pulled into the driveway.

The contrast felt abrupt.

Movement replaced stillness.

Meadow was guided into the back seat and settled carefully in the middle.

Amber took her place behind the passenger seat without looking at anyone.

Ashley slid in behind the driver, her movements clipped and tense, clearly displeased that Meadow now sat between herself and

Amber.

Rashel, Meadow’s interpreter, climbed into the front passenger seat, professional and unobtrusive.

The doors shut softly.

The car pulled away.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The landscape shifted from towering gates to trees blurring past the windows.

Then Amber’s voice cut clean through the silence.

“Today,” she announced coolly, “we will start with the spa-manicure, pedicure, massage, and facials. After that, the salon. Then

shopping, lunch, and we return home.”

Meadow’s eyes widened with instant excitement.

WED

|||

O

17

1/5

11:46 Wed, Jun 17

Chapter 60

The words sounded unreal-luxury stacked upon luxury in a single breath. Her hands lifted automatically, ready to sign a thank you.

But before she could, Amber reached into her bag and handed something back toward her.

“Have this.”

Meadow frowned in quiet confusion-until she saw it.

Her phone.

The one Amber had taken from her when she had first arrived at the mansion.

“I no longer need to hold onto this,” Amber added.

The world paused.

Meadow stared at the phone as though it might fade if she blinked too hard. Then she looked up at Amber-disbelief, gratitude,

hope flooding her expression all at once.

Was this… trust?

Her lips curved into a radiant, trembling smile as she signed her thanks, her gratitude so visible it didn’t need translation.

Rashel’s voice was soft as she interpreted.

As always, Amber did not return the smile. She simply turned her gaze back toward the window, her expression unreadable.

Meadow checked the phone-it was dead. Still, she cradled it carefully and slipped it into her bag, promising herself she would

charge it the moment they returned.

The day unfolded like something out of a dream.

At the spa, they were treated like royalty.

Warm water cascaded over her skin.

Gentle hands kneaded months of tension from her shoulders.

Soft music wrapped around her like a lullaby.

The air smelled of oils and flowers and calm.

For the first time since Ethan left, Meadow felt her body slowly let go of fear. The staff moved around her without hesitation,

without awkward pauses. No one flinched at her silence. No one treated her as fragile or incomplete.

She wasn’t pitied.

17

|||

O

2/5

Chapter 60

She was simply… cared for.

At the salon, the stylist took one look at Meadow’s hair and gasped.

“Oh my God,” the woman said, touching it reverently. “Your hair is gorgeous!”

People gathered just to look at her.

Compliments followed her everywhere-about her eyes, her smile, the softness of her voice when she laughed silently.

Ashley watched from the side.

Her jaw tightened.

Amber introduced Meadow proudly as Ethan’s wife.

And just like that, doors opened.

The manager personally escorted them.

Stylists bowed just a little deeper.

The boutique owners treated her like something precious.

Meadow was adored.

She felt like a princess-seen, admired, cherished in ways she had never known before.

Ashley tried to reclaim attention more than once.

She leaned into Amber’s arm during lunch.

She laughed louder at nothing.

She even subtly rubbed her stomach beneath the table, playing the pregnancy card with practiced ease.

It did not work.

Amber gave them equal attention.

Spent equal money.

Showed equal concern.

This-more than anything else-unsettled Ashley.

|||

O

17

3/5

11:46 Wed, Jun 17

Chapter 60

By the time they returned home, her fury simmered just beneath the surface of her polished composure.

The moment they stepped back into the mansion hallway, Meadow’s emotions spilled over.

The weight of the day pressed into her chest all at once-the kindness, the gentleness, the first time she had felt chosen instead of

tolerated.

Without thinking.

Without fear.

Without calculation-

She wrapped her arms around Amber.

A tight, grateful hug.

Words failed her.

Only gratitude spoke.

Amber stiffened in shock.

This was not what she expected.

For a second, she stood frozen in place, caught off guard by the simplicity of the gesture. There were no demands in it. No

manipulation. No hidden grasp for advantage.

Only thanks.

Slowly-reluctantly-she lifted her arms and returned the hug.

Just for a moment.

Just enough.

As Meadow pulled away, her eyes still shining, Amber studied her quietly.

So innocent.

So easy to please.

So simple in her happiness.

There was no calculation behind Meadow’s joy. No rehearsed diplomacy. No hunger for power. Just a heart that wanted to belong.

#00

17

|||

O

4/5

11:46 Wed, Jun 17

Chapter 60

For the first time since Meadow entered her son’s life, Amber felt something inside her shift.

Perhaps… just perhaps…

She had been wrong.

Perhaps Meadow truly would have picked Ethan from the crowd.

Comments

1

17

Write Comments

<SHARE

|||

O

Г

5/5

11:46 Wed, Jun 17 O

Underwater: The Silent Luna