Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 369 Playing Along His kiss was fierce, pullingin, his hands gripping ne with a force that betrayed his fear of losingThe sterile hospital hallway stood empty, as cold and sent as a tomb. But here, we were, caught in al whirlwind of heat, our lips meeting, each breath sharp d electric The hospital air around us thickened, charged with the weight of what was happening 1 gasped for air, his lips smothering mine as if he were sealing my very breath My fists pounded weakly against his chest, my body fighting against the onslaught, but he didn't yield. Reluctantly, he pulled away, his eyes dark with desire, gering onlike a predator eyeing its prey. I breathed deeply, grateful for the space to fill my lungs again, but my heart still raced Then I saw it. The camera. My face flushed, heat flooding my skin. Had they caught that? The kiss. The moment.

All of it, now in full view for whoever might look.

A wave of panic rushed over me. "Caden," I whispered, my voice shaky. "Next time... can we be more discreet? Somewhere more private?" I felt the weight of the gaze I knew was on us, invisible yet somehow tangible.

He stepped closer, his expression darkening, but not in anger-in amusement.

His fingers brushed over mine, his touch lingering as his thumb traced circles over my palm.

"Rosaline, he murmured, his voice low and laced with something far too dangerous. "Are you askingto take this further?" His hand, warm and strong, sent a shiver down my spine.

I blinked, taken aback. Then I shook my head quickly, trying to dismiss his words. "You're reading too much into this," I muttered, rolling my eyes. I couldn't let him distractnow, not with everything on the line.

I cleared my mind, getting my mind back on track. This was no tfor distractions.

The plan was bigger than just Queenie and Eleanor-it was about Heidi, too. The one who'd poisoned Richard alongside them.

The one lurking in the shadows, pulling strings, as dangerous as any of them.

Tonight, we had failed to capture her.

I couldn't shake the feeling that Heidi and her master was biding their time. They were players, too.

She wasn't just a pawn in this game-she was central to it. Whoever was behind her had a bigger move planned. She needed to be taken out of the game. Quickly.

I met Caden's gaze, his eyes sharp and searching, feeling the shift in my thoughts. "Caden," I said, my voice 1/3 Hapter 369 Playing Along Caden's POV: I looked at Rosaline, my brow furrowed with concern. What's going on?” The truth about Heidi, whether she was Tessa or not, didn't matter much anymore.

My mind was consumed with disappointment, and my heart, well-it belonged to Rosaline.

Nothing else seemed to matter. No woman but Rosaline held my heart.

+8 Pearls Her voice was precisely low. "Believe me, I don't have a the proof yet. But from everything I've gathered. there's a very real chance Heidi isn't who she says she is I gave her a soft smile, my hand moving to ruille her hair. "Still bothered by Heidi? I can make sure she never crosses our path again." "It's not that..." Rosaline shook her head, her eyes searching mine for something.

"Then what is it?" I asked, confusion tugging at me.

If it wasn't Heidi, then what else could it be? Her gaze met mine, steady and intense. "Do you remember, years ago, when you toldTessa saved you by throwing herself off that cliff?" The memory hitlike a punch to the gut. "Yes," I answered, my voice heavy with the weight of that moment.

Tessa had saved me, sacrificed herself for me.

I would never forget that.

But if Heidi wasn't Tessa, why did she know so much about that day? Why did she seem so familiar with it Rosaline interrupted my thoughts. "Do you remember when Heidi tried to pin the blonfor leaking the Eclipse Group bid? After we exposed her, she showed you her injuries, trying to win your sympathy." I nodded, my voice low. "Of course. I remember." The betrayal still stung. Heidi had sold out Eclipse, framed Rosaline. If she wasn't Tessa, she would be facing a punishment much harsher than the one I gave her.

Rosaline narrowed her eyes, suspicion deepening in her gaze. "If I'm right, those injuries don't look like they cfrom a fall off a cliff. They don't even match the timeline of eight years ago." I frowned, the realization slowly creeping in. “So what are you saying? The pieces started to fit together in a way that made my skin prickle.

Her eyes were full of resolve, unwavering. "Caden, helpput on a show. I'll give you the truth about Tessa. How about that?" Without a second thought, I nodded. "Fine." Rosaline's POV: 2/3 Mar 25 BB Chapter 369 Playing Along I only breathed easily once he agreed.

☐☐95% ve Pearls

For a moment, I'd feared that Caden's unresolved feelings for Tessa might cloud his judgment, might make him doubt me. But no. Caden didn't hesitate. He trustedwithout question.

The relief was instant, like a heavy stone rolling oll my chest.

All that was left now was for Caden to play his part, to draw out the serpent from its lair.

"Still, Heidi alone isn't enough for this," I said, my mind spinning with possibilities. "We have to uncover the truth about Tessa... and expose the one pulling Heidi's strings. Do you have a guess?" Caden's gaze grew cold, calculating. He took a moment, then the name-fell from his lips.

"Everett?"

I smiled, pulling my phone from my pocket. I passed him the file Anthony had found Take a look. That's Heidi with Everett." Caden's face tightened, a flicker of recognition flashing cross his features. "I knew it." He was sharp. Heidi was adopted by a Sinarian family in Aurion. Everett-was also from Aurion.

And the leak about the Eclipse Group? Too many pieces fit together to ignore Everett, "Then let's make this show count," Caden said, his voice steady, his grip on my hand firm and unshakable 916 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1