Luna's Past

Night fell as the first lights began to twinkle.

Neon lights flickered along the streets.

Before a brightly lit mansion, the gates opened and the Maybach slowly drove in and stopped.

The chauffeur got out of the driver's seat and opened the back door.

Luna jumped out of the car. In the night breeze, a few playful strands of hair danced across her forehead as she quickly walked to the mansion's entrance. A black nameplate hung on the cream-colored gate.

"101 Rosewood Gardens, Peace and Joy."

She pressed her fingerprint and pushed open the door.

In the spacious living room, crystal chandeliers cast bright light, but the scene inside made her pause.

A man in a business suit sat on the leather sofa, holding a newspaper, his hair slicked back and shiny.

He sat with his legs crossed, and hearing movement, looked up at Luna, saying coolly, "You're back."

"Uncle."

Luna lowered her bright eyes, calling out softly.

Mr. Silvermist frowned, his expression displeased as he tapped his cigar against the ashtray.

"How many times have I told you, in public you must call me Father!"

"But we're not in public now."

Luna raised her head, stubbornly meeting her uncle's gaze, "This is my home."

Mr. Silvermist exhaled a cloud of smoke, studying Luna intently for a moment before his expression softened and he put down the newspaper.

"Fine, at home you can call me whatever you want. Have you eaten? If not, I can ask your aunt to make you some noodles."

Aunt?

At these words, Luna's small face tightened slightly as she turned to see a woman indeed walking down from the second floor.

She was dressed extravagantly, with glittering gold accessories on her ears, neck, wrists, and even ankles.

"Oh, little Luna's home?"

Aunt walked down the stairs smiling, her high heels clicking against the floor.

"Having fun these days?"

She casually picked up an orange from the table, peeled it, and elegantly placed a segment in her mouth as she sat down on the sofa, examining Luna.

"Our little Luna is growing more beautiful by the day."

Luna kept her head down, small hands clutching her dress hem, not responding, "Uncle, Aunt, if there's nothing else, I'll go to my room now."

Mr. Silvermist waved his hand dismissively, "Go ahead."

Luna looked up once at her perpetually smiling aunt.

Aunt nodded.

Only then did Luna move, quickly running upstairs.

Hearing the door close upstairs.

Aunt's smile quickly vanished.

She stroked the leather sofa beneath her, saying irritably, "Such a big mansion, wasted on just a little brat."

She continued eating orange segments while speaking, "When your brother and sister-in-law bought this house, they talked about keeping two rooms for us, acting so high and mighty."

Mr. Silvermist extinguished his cigar, lying back on the sofa, "Be patient, it'll all be ours soon enough - the mansion, the company, everything. My brother and his wife were short-lived, they couldn't enjoy it long."

Mrs. Silvermist smiled languidly, "You know, after experiencing this wealthy lifestyle for a while, I realize what a miserable life we led before."

"When we asked your brother for a business loan back then, he only gave us 400-500 thousand for a small restaurant. Looking back, it was like being mocked. Look how comfortably they lived - selfish people deserve short lives!"

Mr. Silvermist got up and moved to embrace his wife's shoulders, "Enough, don't speak so loudly. It won't be good if Luna hears."

Mrs. Silvermist rolled her eyes, punching his shoulder lightly, whispering, "Speaking of that girl, she really gets on my nerves. She looks more and more like her mother every day. Every time I see that face, I'm reminded of that woman - it's so unlucky."

She angrily threw the orange peel on the table, "Looking pretty like a vixen, what good did it do her? Still died young."

Mr. Silvermist sighed, "That's fate. If that truck driver hadn't been drunk, if my brother had driven slower, we wouldn't be here now."

Mrs. Silvermist sneered, "Honestly, I still want to send that driver some gifts. He was our benefactor."

She seemed to think of something, holding her husband's shoulder, "Honey, the court will make its ruling in about 4-5 months. Once we get the shares, let's give that girl some money and make her leave early. She's used to fending for herself anyway - whether she's lost or dead won't matter to us."

"Save me from having to see her disgusting face."

Mr. Silvermist frowned slightly, "We'll see when the time comes."

He thought for a moment.

"Also, I've looked into this Lucas family she's been spending time with. They're just an ordinary family, no threat to us."

Mrs. Silvermist relaxed at this, saying disdainfully, "Just a worthless girl, she wouldn't dare challenge our case anyway."

She leaned happily against Mr. Silvermist's shoulder, dreaming aloud, "Our good days are just beginning."

Suddenly, her hand wandered somewhere inappropriate, "Honey, it's time to pay your dues."

Mr. Silvermist glanced upstairs, hesitating, "Here? Shouldn't we go home?"

Mrs. Silvermist gave him a seductive look, "Look how timid you are, this makes it more exciting."

...

Second floor.

Luna returned to her small room.

She sat on her bed covered with pink stars, lost in thought for a while, then walked to her small desk and opened the drawer.

She carefully took out a photograph.

The photo showed a family of three.

A handsome father, beautiful mother, and herself grinning widely.

Her small hand gently brushed over the photo before placing it reverently on the shelf, gazing at the familiar faces.

Luna spoke softly, "Mom, Dad, I ate well today too. I'm not picky with food anymore. Are you eating well too?"

The photo naturally gave no response.

She continued speaking quietly:

"Yes, I spent today at big brother Lucas's house again, hehe."

"You know, it seems Lucas still doesn't remember me, but that's okay. I transferred schools when I was in kindergarten, and Lucas was still little then, so it's normal he doesn't remember."

She tilted her head, "But I've always remembered Lucas. When I saw him in that alley that day, I recognized him right away. Aren't I clever?"

She seemed to recall something, her lips curving into a gentle smile, "Lucas is still so kind. Even when he ignores me and I keep following him, he never sends me away."

"Just like in kindergarten, when I always stuck to him, he would protect little Luna and not let anyone bully me."

"Today I even tried teaching Lucas to eat snacks and coax him to sleep, like how I used to train Lucky. Hehe, I'm so smart, Lucas hasn't noticed yet. I just want to see when he'll remember me."

But mentioning Lucky, Luna's smiling face gradually fell, her bright eyes filling with sadness.

"But Lucky was killed by Aunt. She said Lucky was too noisy, but I didn't think Lucky was noisy at all - he was the most well-behaved dog in the world."

Luna sniffled, lying on her desk, "But it's okay, I don't blame Aunt anymore, even though I don't like her."

"Not like Aunt Sarah. Aunt Sarah is so nice, she gives me lots of good food and lets me take nice naps."

Luna raised her head.

Only now did all her usual composure and coolness completely shatter, her face showing the vulnerability and pitiful nature unique to children.

"But... Mom, Dad, I still miss you so much. I'm a little scared..."

"I've been good and obedient, I've kept myself looking pretty, I've protected myself well, but... but..."

She picked up the photo, hugging it tightly to her chest, her beautiful little face filled with grief too deep to dissolve.

"Even though I've found Lucas again."

"I still feel like... I'm all alone in this world..."

...