Like every other day, Jesse opened her mouth, expecting the usual fiery reaction from Luna.
She thought Luna would scream, roll her eyes, or at least snap back.
But this time…
To her surprise, Luna didn't look angry. She didn't roll her eyes.
Instead—she did something completely unexpected.
Luna ran straight toward her and wrapped her arms around Jesse tightly—like a long-lost daughter from a movie reunion.
Luna, her face glowing with a wide, sweet smile:
"Mom! I'm perfectly okay!"
Jesse, stunned, stood frozen. Her brain couldn't process what just happened.
In her mind, confusion and panic bubbled:
What… what just happened?
Why is she behaving like this? Why isn't she shouting at me?
This wasn't the Luna she was used to.
Luna, in her mind, with a teasing smirk only her thoughts could hear:
Character… I know you inside out. You want me to react badly—right?
You want me to scream, shout, misbehave… so that you and your precious daughter can run to my dad and whisper poison into his ears.
But not this time, snake lady. Not today.
Jesse, still smiling awkwardly, trying to mask her confusion with fake affection:
"Child… are you okay?"
Luna, flashing an even brighter smile like a sweet angel on earth:
"Yes, Mom! I'm so well! Sooooo fine!"
She hugged Jesse even tighter. Almost too tight.
Jesse, trying to speak:
"But…"
Luna, interrupting quickly:
"What but?"
Jesse, stumbling:
"I mean… you've never acted like this before. And you've never called me… Mom."
Luna, still smiling sweetly, tilted her head playfully:
"So what? From now on, I'll call you Mom every day!"
Jesse: "But…"
Luna, cutting in again, her voice playful but firm:
"Again with the but! No more but, okay?"
She took a fake deep breath, acting like she was deeply hurt.
"You know… I used to think you didn't love me. That you were pretending. So today I thought… let me show my love. But the moment I do—you push me away."
Jesse, caught off guard, now in full defensive mode:
"No, no! I do love you! Of course I do! Don't say things like that. It's just… you always hated me before…"
Luna, giving the performance of her life, with a sweet sad smile:
"Maybe I did hate you before… but I was wrong. Now I understand. You and sister really love me. You've always cared."
She placed a dramatic hand over her chest like she was in a tragic drama.
"So from now on… I'll never behave like I did before. I promise."
But in her mind…
Oh no, sweetie. I'm not going soft. I'm going strategic.
I'll be worse. Colder. Smarter. I'll take everything from you.
The comfort, the luxury, the property—everything you got by marrying my dad.
And when I'm done, you and your bratty daughter will be back where you belong—on the streets. Road beggars. Dust under my feet.
Only then will I feel true satisfaction.
Luna pulled Jesse into another tight hug—this time even stronger than before.
So tight… Jesse started to feel breathless.
Jesse, her voice strained:
"L-Luna… I-I can't breathe…"
Luna, instantly switching to her innocent mode, gasped:
"Oh no! I'm so sorry, Mom! I got a little too excited… I didn't mean to crush you!"
She patted her back softly, stepping back just a little…
Then leaned in again and gave her another squeeze, this time gentle, whispering in a syrupy voice:
"Sorry, sorry, Mom… I just love you so much now."
Jesse, forcing a fake smile, said sweetly,
"No, no, Luna… it's completely fine. It doesn't matter at all. These things happen, especially when someone gets a little too excited."
Luna, flashing a wide grin that nearly reached her ears, replied with playful sarcasm,
"Oooh, look how understanding my mom is today! Why didn't I ever see this side of you before? I must've been such a dumbo to not notice your overflowing 'kindness.'"
She giggled softly, then added in a sweet tone,
"But don't worry—I promise, I'll never behave like I did in the past. Never again."
Jesse, behind her perfectly painted smile, was mentally spiraling.
In her thoughts…
What?! What is she saying?
If she stops acting out, if she suddenly turns into this sweet, obedient daughter… how will I twist the narrative? How will I make her father believe she's the bad one? How will I poison his mind against her if she doesn't misbehave anymore? This can't happen. No. No no no! My whole plan will crash and burn!
Jesse, still smiling but with tension in her voice, tried to redirect the mood:
"No, no, Luna… you don't have to change for me. Please don't force yourself. You don't need to act all sweet and loving just to make me feel better. Just be yourself—your real self. I love that version of you, even if she's a little rough sometimes. You don't have to pretend."
Luna, crossing her arms like a stubborn child, responded in a defensive yet dramatic tone,
"No, no, Mom! I'm not pretending! I really, truly love you. I swear!"
In her mind, though…
Caught you, stepmom. You wanted me to misbehave so you could trap me. But guess what? I'm not falling into your little snake pit today.
Then, out of nowhere, Luna's expression shifted. Her lips trembled. Her eyes glistened. She began to cry loudly—like a drama queen on stage.
Luna, through her loud sobs:
"I knew it! I knew you don't believe I love you! That's why you're pushing me away again! That's why you've never given me anything! Not even a single gift, ever!"
Jesse, startled but quickly switching to her go-to fake concern mode, stepped forward:
"No, no! Luna, please don't cry like that. Of course I love you. It's just… I thought you didn't like me, so I assumed you wouldn't want gifts from me either. That's the only reason I never gave you anything…"
Luna, tears streaming (though not one of them genuine), whimpered,
"No… You just never loved me in the first place…"
Jesse, now fully in panic mode:
"No, child, I do love you! Please stop crying! Whatever you want—I'll give it. Anything! I'll prove my love to you right now."
Luna, peeking through her fake tears with an innocent voice, asked:
"Anything?"
Jesse, without hesitation, nodded:
"Yes, anything. Just name it."
In Luna's mind…
Gotcha. Now you're exactly where I wanted you.
Luna, wiping away her fake tears with a dramatic sigh:
"Mom… I've been looking everywhere, but I can't seem to find my black card. I think I lost it. Can you… maybe… give me yours?"
Jesse, blinking as if struck by lightning:
"W–what?!"
Luna, casually but firmly:
"I said… your black card. You know, the one you keep hidden in your wallet like it's your firstborn."
Jesse, eyes wide, whispered in disbelief:
"Hnn?"
Luna, with fresh crocodile tears pouring in:
"I knew it… I knew you didn't think of me as your real daughter. If I was your real child, you would've handed it to me before I even asked! But no! You still see me as the stepdaughter! That's why you hesitate!"
She threw her head back and wailed like someone had stolen her soul.
Jesse, clenching her fists behind her back, but keeping her fake concern alive:
"No, no! I'll give it to you, Luna. Of course, I'll give it! Just… wait here for two minutes. I'll be right back."
She stormed off toward her room, but her steps were stiff with anger and helplessness.
Luna, in her thoughts, with a devilish smirk forming:
Oh, Mom… this is just the beginning. First the card. Then the house. Then the life. Slowly, I'll take everything you leached off my dad. And when I'm done, you and your little snake-daughter will be begging in the streets where you belong.
Jesse, after a deep breath and mental breakdown, returned with the black card in hand.
She extended it to Luna, the way someone hands over their last hope.
Her hand was shaky. Her smile stayed forced. But her eyes screamed protest.
It looked like a piece of her soul was glued to that card.
Jesse, in her thoughts, trying not to cry:
You wicked little b!tch. You may have taken my card now… but you'll pay for this. I swear.
Luna, still grinning, reached out and tried to pull the card toward her.
But Jesse didn't let go.
Now the two women stood—each with one hand on the card—smiling on the outside, waging war on the inside.
It was a silent, feminine tug-of-war over power, pride, and money.
Luna, in her mind:
I knew you wouldn't give it up easily. But don't worry—I know exactly how to snatch what I want.
Suddenly, Luna jerked the card with a strong pull and ripped it from Jesse's hand.
Jesse's face fell. It looked like her heart had shattered into a million glittery shards.
Luna, with the fakest of innocent smiles:
"Thank you so much, Mom, for giving me your card."
Without saying another word, she spun around and walked toward her room like a drunk royal—swaying slightly, humming a nonsense tune, pretending she was lost in thought.
Behind her, Jesse stood still—frozen, burning.
Her body stiff with rage. Her eyes red. Her jaw clenched.
Jesse, through gritted teeth:
"Luna… what you did today—was not right. You'll pay for this. I swear, you'll get your lesson soon enough."
Luna, hearing that, didn't even turn around.
Instead, her face twisted into a smirk so devilish it could freeze the sun.
She was ready.
Game on.
To be continue....