Chapter 3

3.

The moment Jocelyn looked sad, Aiden's heart melted. He quickly offered for her to stay in the main house.

Jocelyn didn't hold back. As if she had it planned all along, she pointed to my bedroom―the room that was supposed to belong to the Luna.

"I think that room is very nice."

Aiden followed her finger and frowned slightly, but his expression quickly smoothed over.

"I suppose that could work."

My own son, who I raised, clapped his hands and cheered.

"That's great! I wish Auntie Jocelyn could be my mom!"

He sounded so eager, like he couldn't wait for me to disappear.

Aiden smiled, a look of helpless satisfaction on his face as he ruffled our son's hair.

I made a noise as I set my keys down, shattering the cozy scene.

Leo quickly covered the family photo, and Aiden's face went back to its usual cold mask.

I knew what they were expecting. They wanted me to fly into a rage, to act like a jealous, possessive Luna.

I had cried and fought over Jocelyn's lack of boundaries countless times before.

Honestly, it was getting pathetic.

I glanced away, too tired to care.

I poured a glass of water and chugged it down, acting like nothing had happened.

Aiden was stunned for a second, then spoke to me for the first time in ages.

"Are you hungry? I can make you something."

If this were the old me, I would have jumped at the chance. I had been dreaming of him cooking for me for years.

But I knew better now.

His words sounded like concern, but they were just a way to change the subject, to stop me from attacking Jocelyn.

I didn't want to answer, but his gaze was too intense, like he would burn a hole through me if I ignored him.

I gave a half-hearted reply, "Not hungry. The water filled me up."

Clearly, Jocelyn didn't get Aiden's hint. She stood up, her voice dripping with jealousy.

"I should go."

Leo immediately grabbed Jocelyn's leg and started wailing.

"Mommy's mean! You came back and made Auntie Jocelyn leave!"

"Mommy should be the one to leave! I want Auntie Jocelyn to stay!"

A lump formed in my throat, choking me.

Aiden reluctantly picked up his car keys, clearly not wanting Jocelyn to leave either.

See? I was the extra one here.

But it didn't matter. In one more week, I'd be out of their sight for good.

I forced the lump down and managed a smile.

"Since everyone wants you to stay, then you should. You can have my room from now on."

Jocelyn stared at me, speechless. Even Aiden, who was always so composed, had a flicker of shock in his eyes.

Only Leo was clueless, his tears turning into a grin.

"Really? Yay! That's awesome!"

Aiden's expression was unreadable. He spoke before Jocelyn could move.

"That's not necessary. Jocelyn is going back to her duties after her vacation."

"I'll find her a guest room. It won't trouble you."

Mated for seven years, and I still couldn't figure him out.

Logically, having Jocelyn stay here would bring them closer. He should have jumped at the offer.

Even Jocelyn looked hurt by his strange reaction, a single tear threatening to fall.

For once, Aiden's attention wasn't on her. His eyes were fixed on me.

It seemed he had finally noticed something was different.