Chapter 129

“I… I was suffering from a binge eating disorder,” she admitted. “And it was beginning to get out of hand. I knew you took those pills to help yourself purge, so I decided to give them a try.”

“But…?” I urged, sensing there was more.

Ana sighed. “But… my husband and I were also trying to conceive our second child. My menstrual cycle became erratic, and I found it difficult to conceive, even though I had no issues with my first child. So I had bloodwork done, and they found trace amounts of contraceptive in my body.”

My eyes widened. “Is that true?” I whispered, withdrawing my hand. “So… so you knew all this time?”

The maid nodded hastily, then leaned closer, gripping my hand tightly. “I didn’t know whether you were aware of the contraceptives, Luna,” she said quickly. “At first, I thought you might have done it intentionally. I knew you and Alpha Noah didn’t have the best relationship…”

Her voice trailed off, and I let out a derisive snort. “That obvious, huh?”

Ana glanced at me before continuing. “Eventually, I became too afraid to tell you because it would mean admitting to stealing from you. And for that, I’m sorry.”

“Ana, you can tell me anything. I wouldn’t have held it against you. We’ve known each other for years.”

“Yes, but…” Ana paused, staring at her hands. “Luna, if I could be candid—”

“Absolutely. Speak your mind.”

She drew a deep breath, seemingly steeling herself, before meeting my gaze. “You weren’t always very kind to me. Only in this past month has it seemed as though you didn’t… hate me.”

“Hate you?” I breathed, momentarily stunned. Then it hit me—all the times in my past life when I had been cruel to her. All the snide remarks, the little jabs at her cleaning or her attitude.

I sighed, feeling my shoulders slump. “You’re right. I was a real bitch.”

“Luna, no—”

“No, it’s alright,” I assured her. “I was. But I’m trying not to be anymore.” I paused, wetting my lips. Finally, I patted her hand and offered a warm smile. “Thank you for being honest, Ana. And I hope you know that if you’re ever struggling with your body image, you’re beautiful—truly.”

Ana blinked rapidly and bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. “Thank you, Luna.”

“It’s the truth,” I said. “If you ever feel like you’re hating on your body, come to me first. I understand what it’s like to hate what you see in the mirror. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

Ana nodded and stood. I released her hand, watching her walk to the door. But just as she was about to leave, I called out, “Wait.”

She turned. “Yes, Luna?”

“Call me Hannah from now on,” I said. “Please.”

Ana breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. Goodnight… Hannah.”

Chapter 129 +25 BONUS

Once Ana was gone, I sank further into my bed and furrowed my brow. My mind reeled from what I’d learned—and from what I already knew. I kept thinking about White Rabbit’s disappearance and Noah’s strange news—about how our family doctor had claimed I was too ‘frail’ for sex outside our ovulation window.

I wondered if they could be connected. Too curious to rest, I called the doctor’s office and asked when our family doctor had left.

“Let’s see,” the receptionist said, pausing. “The doctor went on his trip… exactly two weeks ago.”

I furrowed my brow, checking my last message to White Rabbit—whose account was gone, but our messages remained. I’d sent my last message exactly two weeks ago.