Page 22 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

Lucifer stood firm. Liam got angry too. Father and son locked in a standoff. I watched them. Liam sat less than two steps away, poking his oatmeal with the spoon, refusing to eat. The way he tilted his head, sulking, melted something in me. I set down my cup and said quietly to the maid, "Give me the bowl."

The maid glanced at Lucifer. He said nothing but didn't object. She picked up the bowl and handed it to me. I took it, walked over, and crouched beside Liam at eye level.

"Liam," I said gently, "if you don't eat, you'll get hungry. Just try one bite, okay? The oatmeal's sweet. I can smell the honey."

He stared at me, guarded, impatient. "I don't—"

"Just one bite." I held the spoon to his lips. "Then I won't push. Your dad's watching."

He glanced at Lucifer, then at the spoon, hesitated, and took a tiny bite. He chewed twice. His expression softened slightly. I saw that shift and felt something tug inside me. Then suddenly, he shoved my hand away hard. "Get away from me!"

The bowl flew from my hands and crashed to the floor. Oatmeal splattered across my dress, from hem to sleeve, dripping down in sticky globs. Porcelain shards scattered. The maid gasped and crouched to pick them up. I froze, half my dress soaked, warm oatmeal running down my fingers and onto the floor.

"I don't want you to feed me!" Liam shouted, voice breaking into a cry. "You're bad! I don't want you as my mom!"

"Liam!" Lucifer was truly angry now. "Where are your manners?"

At his father's scolding, Liam's eyes reddened. Fists clenched tight, his whole body trembled. I looked at him, still kneeling, oatmeal dripping, clinging wet to my skin. I took the towel from the maid and tried to soothe him. "Liam—"

"Liam!"

The door burst open. A woman rushed in, cutting me off. She wore a light-colored dress, hair loosely pinned back, face full of worry and apology. She saw the broken bowl and spilled oatmeal, froze for a second, then crouched down and pulled Liam into her arms.

"Liam, what happened? Tell me—"

"She tried to make me eat!" Liam buried his face in her shoulder, voice muffled. "I don't want her to; she's bad..."

The woman patted his back gently, voice soft as if soothing a frightened animal. "It's okay, it's okay, Lina's here..." She stood, holding Liam, and seemed to notice me for the first time. An apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Luna. He's shy around strangers. He'll warm up. You should go change—the oatmeal got all over you." She paused and met my eyes. "I'm Lina."

When she said "Luna," there was no emphasis, but I heard it—that thin, uncomfortable layer underneath. And when she introduced herself, that subtle way of claiming territory.

She held my child and patted his back. He clung to her neck, face buried in her shoulder. She told me to "go change," gentle and considerate, beyond reproach—but my child was calling her "Lina."

I stood. "I'll go change," I said evenly.

Lina smiled. "I'll have someone send fresh clothes to your room."

As I left the dining room, Lucifer didn't look at me. He was looking down at Liam in Lina's arms. Lina coaxed Liam while glancing up at Lucifer with a smile, saying, "He's fine, just being fussy." He nodded, gaze moving between Lina and Liam, then reached out and gently ruffled Liam's hair. The gesture was light, natural—like he'd done it a thousand times.

I walked down the hallway, oatmeal still clinging to my skirt, sticky against my legs, cold with every step. I passed a mirror and glanced sideways. Hair messy, dress stained. As disheveled as yesterday when the mud hit me at the wedding.

I quickened my pace back to my room, changed into clean clothes—a light blue dress—and washed my face again. The person in the mirror looked clean, but her eyes were still red.

Lucifer hadn't said a word of concern.

But he'd smiled at Lina so warmly. Had he been with her all these years? If he already had someone he cared about, what was I supposed to do? Be a Luna in name only?

I walked back toward the dining room. When I pushed open the door, I saw Lucifer in his seat. Lina sat beside him. Liam lay across her lap while she wiped jam from the corner of his mouth with a napkin. Lucifer watched her, head tilted slightly, the faintest curve at his lips—relaxed, at ease, the kind of expression you only had at home.

I stood in the doorway, gripping the handle. Didn't go in.

They looked like a family. Lucifer, Lina, Liam. I was a shadow that didn't belong. Liam laughed, holding up a piece of fruit Lina had peeled for him. He held it to her lips. "Lina, you eat too." Lina smiled and took a small bite. Liam giggled.

I felt something block my chest. Tight and sour.

I stepped back into the hallway. A maid passed, carrying a fresh breakfast tray. She saw me and bowed quickly. "Luna? Aren't you going to—"

"No need," I said, voice calmer than I expected. "I'm not hungry."