THE CURSED LUNA

Emily pov

I quickly gathered my documents, which were intended to create a barrier between myself and Tris, as well as his companion, Esther. Perhaps I do not possess the qualities he seeks in a partner. While I do not wish to appear envious, he should have informed me of his decision to invite his mistress to our home under the guise of assistance.

My hands shook as I handled the papers; I simply wanted to retreat, perhaps to the guest room for a time. I was aware that he would not approve of this notion, but the intimacy between him and Esther was disheartening. Yes, I admit it-I am envious. I turned away, my head throbbing from the overwhelming thoughts of how to proceed.

I marched toward the guest room, forcefully shutting the door behind me. The noise reverberated through the corridor, and I was certain Tris would hear it. I was indifferent to that; I required solitude.

As I paced the room, my thoughts spiraled around Tris and Esther. How could he betray me in this manner? Was he oblivious to my feelings?

I ceased my pacing and surveyed the room. It was an exquisite space, yet it now felt confining. I could not remain here and witness the connection between Tris and Esther.

Suddenly, a knock interrupted my thoughts. "May I come in?" Tris inquired gently.

I paused, uncertain if I was prepared to confront him. However, there was something in his voice that compelled me to open the door.

Tris entered, his expression filled with concern. "What is happening? You've been acting differently since Esther's arrival."

I inhaled deeply, attempting to steady my nerves. "You ought to have informed me," I stated, my voice trembling. "You should have let me know she would be staying for two months."

Tris appeared surprised. "I didn't think it was significant. She required a place to stay, and I believed it would be beneficial to have her here."

"Significant?" I echoed, my frustration escalating. "You are aware of my feelings for you, Tris. And yet, you invite your... your mistress into our home?"

Tris's demeanor shifted, and he moved closer to me. "Esther is not my mistress," he asserted with conviction. "She is merely a friend in need. That is all."

I searched his gaze for any hint of dishonesty, but all I found was earnestness.

"Then why does it seem as though there is something more between you?" I inquired, my voice scarcely above a whisper.

Tris exhaled deeply and rubbed his temples. "I am not sure what you perceive, but I assure you, there is nothing romantic between Esther and me. Can we discuss this further later? I have some matters to attend to." I nodded, experiencing a blend of relief and doubt.

As Tris departed, I could not shake the impression that there was more to uncover. I was resolute in my quest for the truth.

I felt too weak to continue with my hurried preparations. Tears filled my eyes as I grappled with my emotions; I was meant to love Christian, yet I found myself developing feelings for Tris. This is absurd, I muttered to myself, feeling feeble as I collapsed to the ground, clutching the papers to my chest.

As I sat on the floor, tears cascaded down my cheeks. A sense of disorientation enveloped me. Why was I experiencing these feelings for Tris? I was meant to be in love with Christian, wasn't I?

However, the mere thought of Christian did not evoke the same emotions that Tris did, and that realization frightened me.

I buried my face in the papers, attempting to escape the chaos within. Yet, the words became indistinct, and all I could envision was Tris's expression when he mentioned that Esther was merely a friend.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching outside the room. The door creaked open, revealing Esther, her face etched with concern.

"Hey, are you alright? Tris mentioned that you were feeling down," she said gently.

I hastily wiped my tears, feeling a wave of embarrassment. "I'm fine," I replied untruthfully.

Esther entered the room, shutting the door behind her. "No, you're not. And I believe I understand why."

She settled beside me, her gaze warm and understanding. "Tris and I... we share a past, yes. But it's not what you might think. We grew up together; he's like a brother to me."

I regarded her with skepticism, but Esther pressed on.

"I know that Tris cares for you deeply. I believe that's why he chose not to mention my visit. He didn't want to hurt you."

Her words resonated within me. Could it be true? Was Tris genuinely worried about my feelings?

Esther placed her hand on my shoulder. "I'm not here to create any issues, I assure you. If you would prefer that I leave, I will."

I scrutinized her expression, searching for any hint of deceit. Yet, all I found was sincerity.

Thank you for sharing that with me, I finally replied, my voice barely audible.

Esther offered a smile. "We should have more conversations. It would help clear the air."

As we sat amidst the scattered papers, I began to realize that I might have misjudged Esther. Perhaps I had also misinterpreted my own feelings.

"What caused you to lose your home? I heard Tris mention it, and I sense there is more to the story," I inquired, a note of curiosity evident in my tone. I hesitated to proceed when I noticed the displeasure on her face; she seemed uninterested in my question.

Esther's demeanor shifted, her gaze drifting away, and her voice carried a hint of bitterness. "It's a lengthy tale. Not one that brings joy."

I could feel her hesitation, yet I pressed on. "Please, I would like to understand," I encouraged softly.

With a heavy sigh, Esther's shoulders slumped. "Very well. If you truly wish to know... I lost my home due to my ex-husband. He was abusive, controlling, and manipulative."

Her voice trembled, and she paused to regain her composure.

"I finally found the strength to leave him, but he... he ruined everything I had. My business, my reputation... even my family turned against me because of his deceit." Tears filled Esther's eyes, and instinctively, I reached out to take her hand in mine.