Until the Moonlight Spreads

I had no interest in engaging with them—much less in humoring Ethan Carter by playing some pathetic little game.

“Sorry, I don’t have time. My husband will be here to pick me up soon.”

A few people snorted in derision.

“Lily Anderson, if you can’t play, just admit it. Why bother lying?”

“Exactly. You’ve been gone for five years—how could you possibly be married? And now you claim you have a husband?”

“If you really were married, why wouldn’t you bring him to a gala like this?”

Sophia Brooks put on a mask of kindness.

“Sis, I know you’re upset and still blame me for taking Ethan, but even so, you shouldn’t lie.”

“I’m not lying.”

But I saw no need to explain myself.

In less than ten minutes, Daniel Hughes would be here anyway.

Still, my refusal to elaborate only made them press harder.

“If you’re not lying, then tell us—what’s your husband’s name? What business is he in?”

“If you make one up on the spot, we’ll know.”

Ethan took a drag from his cigarette and smirked.

“You pulled this stunt five years ago. Still trying the same trick? Do you think I’m an idiot?”

He clearly didn’t believe a word.

“I don’t care what you think. I don’t owe you proof. Open the door. If you don’t let me out, I’m calling the police.

“I’m not wasting my time on your stupid games.”

But in the next second, Ethan pulled out a small white porcelain urn.

My face instantly hardened.

“Give it back.”

I lunged to grab it, but he held it high, and I came up empty.

Looking down at me in my frustration, he slowly smiled.

“Turns out my words mean less to you than a dead person.”

“If I’d known this urn was so effective, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time talking.”

My gaze went glacial, edged with a hint of lethal intent.

“Watch your mouth.”

Years ago, though the Brooks family had publicly acknowledged me, they’d never truly accepted me.

My real family was my adoptive mother.

For my sake, she’d been willing to cut ties and send me back to the Brooks family to live as their heiress.

Sophia was her biological daughter, but she had no interest in poverty—and never even met her real mother.

To hide the truth, they’d staged a whole act, even hiring someone to hit her with a car and leave her in a coma.

The Brooks family was as laughable as Ethan—

Thinking I’d been desperate for the title of “real heiress” and eager to return home for it.

They couldn’t have been more wrong.

Back then, my adoptive mother was paralyzed, later slipping into a vegetative state.

The Brooks family came to the hospital and threatened me—

If I agreed to return to them, they’d bring in the best specialists from abroad, no matter the cost.

If I refused, they’d let her die, claiming she could suffer brain death at any time.

That was the only reason I agreed to an arranged marriage with Ethan.

But after my adoptive mother died, I had no reason to marry him—and no desire for the Brooks title.

Seeing my expression turn to stone, Ethan smiled with satisfaction.

“Then agree to play.

“If you win, I’ll give the urn back.”

I shut my eyes briefly, then asked flatly, “What’s the bet?”

His gaze locked on mine, and he spoke slowly.