Chapter 11
Tm sorry. I should’ve looked into everything sooner. I misunderstood you.”
I listened quietly, then shook my head.
“The past is the past. You and I… are part of it.”
Gerry froze, as if struck by my words. Then, with an edge of desperation, he blurted something strange. “Do you think Darren is any better? He’s hiding something from you too!“}
I paused mid–step, following the staff toward the banquet hall, then turned to him coldly, my patience thin. “Darren is nothing like you. If he is hiding something, it’s only because he’s trying to protect me.“}]
The wedding march began to play.”
Darren knelt before me, presenting a ring from the “Pure Love Heart” collection. His eyes never left mine.}] That night, curled in his arms, I stared at the marriage certificate.”
Luna Sigmund.
My new name. My new life.
Luckily, I had already submitted the name change paperwork the same day I called Darren.
From now on, I was no longer an orphan living at the mercy of the Stall Family.
No one would ever say, “Go wander the streets,” to me again.”
Darren suddenly looked at me with quiet seriousness.
“Luna, there’s something I need to tell you… I’ve found your biological parents.”}]
I blinked, startled. Suddenly, Gerry’s strange words from earlier made sense.
***
The next day, Darren invited them to our home. The moment they saw me, they didn’t ask how I’d been, didn’t show joy or tears. Instead, they spoke… for Gerry.
“The Stall Family is rich and powerful–what more could you want? How dare you defy the madam and young master just to marry someone else? Honestly, I should’ve given birth to a pig instead of you!“}
“Stupid girl!”
The words mom and dad stuck in my throat.
And in that moment, I finally understood why Darren had hidden them from me.
I also realized: Madam Stall and Gerry had known all along who my parents were–yet they continued to label me an orphan, controlling me with that status.
And my biological parents? They had known of my suffering, but never reached out.
They wanted to wait until r’d married into the Stall Family before claiming me–so they could benefit from the title and the wealth it would bring.
“Luna..“I
Darren didn’t hesitate. He sent them to a remote province and had guards ensure they’d never come near me again.
I smiled at him.
“I’m okay”
He held me tightly
“From now on, I’ll always be by your side. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.””
“Alright I whispered.
When I discovered I was pregnant, Madam Stall called me.
“Luna” At the very least, I saved your life. Come visit Gerry.“#
It turned out Gerry had planned to use my biological parents to ruin my wedding. But Darren had uncovered the plot early.!!
On the wedding day, they’d caused a scene–crying, wailing, even threatening to hang themselves in front of the hotel.
But Darren had already arranged for people to block them
He never told me any of this
He just didn’t want to upset mel
After the wedding. Gerry spiraled #
When he saw he couldn’t destroy our marriage–and now hearing I was pregnant–he completely fell apart i
Drinking day and night Dragging the Stall Family into chaos with him.!!
“Hmph, good–for–nothing. You deserve it”
I remembered Darren muttering those words about Gerry.
At the time, I hadn’t fully agreed
But now… I did &
10:31 AM
.
At the time, I hadn’t fully agreed.
But now. I did.
0
Eventually, I accepted Madam Stall’s request.
Six months my later, I returned to the Stall estate.
This time, no one dared treat me casually.
The Sigmund family and the Stall Family were now worlds apart.
Soon, the Stall Family would be devoured–swallowed up by the Sigmund conglomerate, buried under mountains of debt.”
Madam Stall led me to Gerry’s room.
Even from several feet away, the stench of alcohol hit me.”
I stopped outside his door, not bothering to step inside.
My voice was calm, steady.
“I’m pregnant.”
10:31 AM
