Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

“I am a married man,” Ethan said calmly, but the steel beneath his voice left no room for misunderstanding. “So I do not want any form of familiarity between you and me. You are to address me with respect. You are also to address your Luna, my wife, with respect. Whatever we had was in the past, and it will remain there. Am I clear?”

The words hit Cynthia like a physical blow.

Married.

The word echoed violently in her mind. For a moment, she could only stare at him in disbelief. She had never imagined, never even considered, that Ethan would marry after the accident. In her mind, his life had frozen the day she walked away. The idea that another woman now occupied the place she once claimed felt impossible.

It took her several seconds to recover from the shock.

“Yes,” she finally whispered, nodding stiffly. “You are clear.”

The look in her eyes flickered with something raw, regret, jealousy, disbelief, but Ethan did not soften.

“Very well,” he continued evenly. “Due to our history, you won’t be dealing with me directly. If you need anything or require your Alpha’s assistance, contact Alpha Joseph McCloud. He is the acting Alpha, and he will tend to your needs.”

There was no anger in his tone.

No resentment.

Only finality.

She nodded again, slower this time, as the truth settled painfully into her bones.

Cynthia was utterly speechless at Ethan’s cold professionalism. This wasn’t the reunion she had imagined during sleepless nights and desperate regrets. She had dreamed of tension, questions, maybe even unresolved feelings.

Instead, she was standing before a man who had buried her without ceremony and moved on.

Things had indeed changed while she was away.

“Congratulations,” she said in a small, broken voice.

He inclined his head once.

“Thank you.”

Without another word, Ethan turned his chair and wheeled himself out of the office.

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Chapter 82

Cynthia watched him go.

The door closed quietly behind him.

And only then did the tears come.

They slid down her cheeks unchecked, tears of longing, of loss, of a reality she could no longer rewrite. Joseph shifted

uncomfortably in his seat. He wished he were anywhere else. Ashley’s moods were enough chaos for one man to manage, he had no

desire to add Cynthia’s heartbreak to the list.

“Take this, fill out the form, and submit it at the registry,” Joseph said briskly, handing her the paperwork. “I’ll process your papers

once it’s complete.”

It was a dismissal.

A merciful one.

Ethan returned to the dining room as breakfast was nearly over.

The atmosphere was warm. Familiar. Light.

He took his seat beside Meadow, and without hesitation, she plated his food with gentle care. He watched her for a moment, the soft peace in her expression, the ease in her movements, the happiness that no longer struggled to exist.

She was calm.

Safe.

Relaxed.

And more than anything, he wanted to keep her that way.

He was grateful, deeply grateful, that he had handled Cynthia without Meadow ever knowing. The past could remain buried exactly where it belonged.

Once breakfast was finished, Ethan requested the van be prepared.

“I’m taking my wife shopping,” he announced calmly.

Meadow’s eyes widened instantly with excitement.

Since Adam couldn’t secure what he was sent for, Ethan had decided to do it himself.

And he intended to make the day unforgettable.

Shopping turned into laughter.

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Chapter 82

Into wonder.

Into moments Meadow would remember forever.

Ethan bought her beautiful dresses, elegant shoes, soft lingerie, delicate accessories, things Meadow would never have dared to choose for herself. With every bag added to the pile, her joy grew brighter, lighter, more unrestrained.

Then they stopped at the jewellery store.

Before they arrived, Ethan had instructed the owners to clear out the shop completely.

When Meadow stepped inside, her breath caught.

She had never been inside a luxury jewellery store before.

Never in her life.

Glass cases shimmered with gold and firelight. The air felt expensive. Unreal.

Ethan bought her elegant jewellery for outings.

But the piece that shattered Meadow’s composure entirely was the engagement ring and matching wedding bands he chose, one for

her, and one for himself.

The ring carried a yellow diamond set in a palladium band.

Exquisite.

Rare.

Perfect,

When he slid it onto her finger, it fit as though it had always belonged there.

Meadow froze.

Then her breath left her in a trembling rush.

Just days ago, before Ethan had travelled, she had stared at her bare hand and ached quietly for a symbol of belonging.

And now…

Now Ethan had fulfilled that hidden wish without her ever speaking it aloud.

Tears spilled freely as joy overcame her.

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Chapter 82

Her excitement warmed his heart.

Her happiness lit something fierce and protective inside his chest.

He was glad, more than glad, that he had been able to put that smile on her face.

Ethan knew they still had a long way to go.

Their steps were slow.

Careful.

One day at a time.

But one thing was already unshakable within him,

He was determined to bring Echo to the surface.

Comments

T Tracy Gordon

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I hope when he gets echo back he doesn’t forget he loves meadow. Cynthia and Ashley are going to stir trouble

7 days ago

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Underwater: The Silent Luna