Chapter 142

SERAPHINA Two days after my decision to investigate Jessica, I began to take action. The first step was to rebuild my normal routine. I couldn't keep hiding in the guest room—it would make Jessica suspicious and tell whoever she reported to that I had given up. So this morning, I woke up early, showered, and put on one of my favorite maternity dresses—the light blue one that always made Kaelos say I looked like a moon goddess. Not for him, I told myself. For my own confidence. But as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I knew it was a lie. Part of me hoped he would see me and remember why he fell in love with me. “You can do this,” I whispered to my reflection. “For the baby. For Kaelos. For the truth.” The dining room was already crowded when I arrived. The conversation paused when I entered—all eyes on me with a mixture of sympathy, curiosity, and discomfort. But I kept my head up, my back straight, like the Luna I was supposed to be. And then I saw her—Jessica, sitting at one o