A Mouse Trapped In Its Own Home

Lunara sat in the hospital waiting room, staring at the bill in her hand. The total was circled in red, bold and impossible to ignore.

She glanced toward her mother's room through the glass window. Machines beeped softly, keeping her alive.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and for a moment, she thought about ignoring it. But when she saw the notification for the shop's overdue rent, her stomach sank even further.

Her hand brushed against the edge of a business card she'd shoved into her jacket earlier that day. She pulled it out and stared at the name.

Eryx Cyrus Grantham.

Lunara scowled, gripping the card tightly before shoving it back into her pocket. "There has to be another way," she muttered under her breath but her voice betrayed her as it broke slightly.

A nurse approached her. "Miss Hayes, about the payment—"

"I'll handle it," she said quickly, cutting her words before the nurse could say anything else.

But as Lunara walked down the hallway, her path was suddenly blocked by a man she hadn't seen in almost two years. Her eyes instantly darkened, anger burning in them, ready to shoot fire.

"Move," she said coldly.

"Sell the shop." His low voice reached her ears.

"What does that have to do with you?" Her glare sharpened at the man who should have been by her and her mother's side.

"She started the shop with my money, and I'm here now to take back the investment." His tone was calm—too calm, with no hint of guilt at all.

Lunara gasped and scoffed, unable to find the words to respond to the audacity of the man who was supposed to be her father. "I didn't know Mr. Gideon Winfield was this desperate to acquire a small flower shop. Did your new wife already use up all your money?"

"I didn't come here to entertain your sarcastic remarks. That's my money, and I have the right to get it back," Gideon said, looking less patient than before.

"Sadly, you don't have that right. You can't even prove that you invested any money in the shop." She rolled her eyes before walking past him.

Gideon grabbed Lunara's arm, refusing to let her go. "I don't have time to waste with you. Just give me fifty thousand, and I won't claim the shop anymore."

His bold statement made Lunara laugh immediately. "Fifty thousand? Are you kidding me? Are you saying you actually invested 50k in the flower shop before? Do you think you're talking to a seven-year-old?" she sneered, still in disbelief.

"Don't you know the meaning of the word investment? The shop is making profit, of course with double or perhaps triple up," Gideon used his hands to gesture his point.

Lunara raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Oh, is that how investments work? So if I buy you a dictionary, should I expect double the intelligence in return?"

Gideon let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Keep that attitude up, and we'll see how long you can keep that shop running." His eyes darkened as he leaned in slightly. "You don't want to test me, Lunara."

"Oh, believe me… I also have no idea how long that shop can survive. Fifty thousand? Even making five thousand a month would be a miracle. And what do you expect me to do to give you that damn fifty thousand? Sell all the hair on my body?" She curled her lips into a smirk, her sarcasm sharp and unyielding.

He frowned instantly. His face twisted in anger as he stared at Lunara. "Sell them then, or just sell yourself. I'm sure..." He looked her up and down. "Your ugly face at least makes around that much." He snickered, showing no hint of guilt. "I'll come back tomorrow, so be ready with the money. Or else, I'll just throw your mother out of this hospital!"

"You don't have the right..." Lunara gritted her teeth as she muttered her response.

Gideon's slow, mocking laugh reached Lunara's ears. "I sure have the right. She's still my wife."

"Wife? Excuse me, Mr. Gideon… My mother sent you her divorce paper, before she collapsed. The same divorce you screamed your lungs out, begging her to sign. And now, what the hell are you spurting out? Your wife?"

Her voice rose slightly, drawing attention she never sought.

"Since the moment you left us two years ago for that bitch, you were no longer—wait... actually, not two years ago. You were never with us since I can remember!"

"Miss… I'm sorry, but if you both could continue this outside…" The nurse suddenly approached them, her tone firm yet polite. Their argument was disturbing the patients who were trying to rest.

Lunara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry." She turned to the nurse and bowed slightly.

Gideon rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Tomorrow… make sure the money is ready, or else I'll throw your mother out of this hospital or sell that shop she loves so much." He smirked, then turned and walked away, leaving Lunara to take a long breath, trying to calm her nerves.

A few meters away, Eryx watched the scene with little expression on his face.

"Sir…" His assistant, who was waiting by his side, called for his attention while holding a folder. "Madam Grantham is now stable. She can be discharged from the hospital this evening."

"Callum…" Eryx's deep voice dropped the air around him. "Use the opportunity right in front of your eyes."

His words created a deep frown on Callum's forehead.

"Sorry, sir?" Callum gulped in worry, unsure of the meaning behind them.

"I said, push her into a corner… like a mouse trapped in its own home, facing a fierce cat."

Eryx's lips suddenly curled into a thin, feeble smile.

Callum's frown deepened. He still didn't quite understand. "Sir, do you mean—"

Eryx let out a quiet chuckle, but there was no amusement in his eyes. "I mean, Callum, make sure Lunara has nowhere to run. Buyout any chance she has left. The moment she realizes she's completely helpless… she'll have no choice but to come to me."

A shiver ran down Callum's spine, but he nodded. "Understood, sir."