Shane Prescott remained silent for a long moment. "This is probably how it'll be from now on."

Luna Valentine's chest tightened. "You're the only one I've ever loved. But he's my father—I can't cut ties with him. I've tried reasoning with him countless times, but he's stubborn. In his youth, he thrived on the family's influence, but after our fortunes declined and he hit roadblocks at work, he became paranoid."

Shane understood eccentric personalities, but what worried him more was Vincent Valentine's potential to do something irreversible.

The man was already ambitious. If lives were lost, it would be too late.

Luna removed the gold bracelet from her wrist. "I'm returning this."

Shane clasped it back on her. "What's given to you is yours."

"I should go."

Shane grabbed his car keys. "I'll drive you."

"I came in my own car."

"I'm still seeing you home."

Two cars disappeared into the night, one following the other.

After parking, Shane walked her to her building.

The summer night was stifling, cicadas crying mournfully.

This was the heaviest goodbye they'd ever shared.

Watching her retreating figure, Shane recalled their days of passion.

Back at Moon Bay, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and stepped onto the balcony.

As the liquor burned his throat, his phone rang.

Ethan Sullivan.

"You home?"

"Yeah."

"Bringing you something."

"The passcode hasn't changed. I'm on the balcony."

Moments later, Ethan appeared with an elegant box. Inside was a Patek Philippe Celestial watch, its blue dial shimmering with a galaxy of stars.

"Too extravagant." Shane shook his head.

Ethan fastened it onto his wrist without hesitation. "Business requires the right image."

Shane reached for his drink again, but Ethan stopped him.

"Because of Luna?"

"No."

Ethan understood. "Don't make Audrey worry."

Those words made Shane set the bottle down.

"Natalie mentioned Sophia is pregnant. Congratulations."

Ethan sighed in mock exasperation. That girl couldn't keep a secret.

At home, Sophia greeted him. "Did he like the watch?"

"Loved it."

Her eyes curved into crescents—the familiar Ethan was back.

"You need to be careful now." He steadied her.

"It's barely been a month. I'm not that fragile."

Before bed, Ethan meticulously applied stretch mark cream for her.

"Shane and Luna might be having problems."

Sophia considered this. "The issue lies with Vincent."

"I'll ask Victor to talk to him."

Victor Sullivan agreed immediately when called.

But first, he had to confirm: "How many throwing knives is he carrying?"

"Relax. He won't hurt you."

Twenty minutes later, Victor arrived at Shane's with a bag of spicy rabbit heads.

Shane sat alone on the dimly lit balcony.

Victor approached cautiously. "You armed?"

"Did you need something?"

"Audrey asked me to check on you."

Hearing it was Audrey's request, Shane's demeanor softened.

Victor produced a stack of photos. "These are all well-matched heiresses."

Silently, Shane dialed a number. "Is this how you chose Audrey back then?"

"Audrey was different," Victor reminisced. "In her youth, she was breathtaking—hair like satin, skin like snow. I was smitten at first sight."

"And then?"

"Finding out about her pedigree only made me more determined. That's the kind of woman you marry."

Shane spoke into the phone, "Audrey, you hearing this?"

Victor's face flushed crimson. "You little—!"