In that moment, I changed my plan.
Originally, I'd only wanted to use her to get back at Genevie and Kirill. That bitch had destroyed my reputation, made the whole world think I was some wife-beater, then ran back to her first love while I was left in San Francisco dealing with all the gossip.
And Kirill Orlov, that Russian bastard in New York, had the nerve to take in my woman?
I'd planned to use Harper as a pawn. Wait until Kirill went crazy looking for her, then hand her over—along with a hefty price tag. Money, power, whatever.
But now...
"Done." I set down the pencil and stepped back to admire my work.
The woman in the mirror looked completely different.
Her skin had become fair and translucent after months of care. Those little freckles she used to hide were now her most distinctive feature.
Most importantly, her eyes had changed.
"Do you like it?" I asked.
Harper stared at herself in the mirror for a long time.
"I don't recognize her," she said softly.
"Then get to know her." I bent down, whispering in her ear. "From today on, you're Luna. Harper Evans died in that little town, buried with her brother. And Luna..."
My fingers traced lightly across her shoulder. I felt her slight tremor.
"Luna's going to have agood life."
Two months later,Luna found work at a nursing home in the Bay Area.
I'd originally arranged something easier for her—my gallery needed a receptionist. Respectable work, good pay, and close to where I lived.
But she refused.
"I like taking care of elderly people," she said, her tone calm but firm. "It's the only thing I'm good at."
I watched her put on that plain caregiver's uniform and suddenly realized some things couldn't be changed.
She could curl her hair, learn to do makeup, wear the clothes I picked out for her, but deep down, she was still that kind, nurturing Harper Evans.
It gave me an odd sense of pride.
I'd seen too many people who'd do anything for money and power. I was one of them.
But Harper—she had a chance at a better life, yet chose to keep working as a caregiver. She vaguely sensed my wealth and could have latched onto me, but she always kept her distance.
Finding such an interesting woman and reshaping her into what I wanted—that was incredibly satisfying. Watching a withered branch bloom under my hands.
I started looking forward to seeing her after work every day.
"Luna,your husband's here to pick you up!"
The receptionist at the nursing home called cheerfully down the hallway, then winked at me. "You two are so sweet. He comes to get you every single day."
I smiled politely. "As I should."
Yes, we were married now.
