Ch. I Refuse to Be Your Luna 22 I Refuse to Be Your Luna 22

Chapter 22 Start With Me

Lady Flourish’s POV

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Finished

The moment the restaurant doors closed behind us, I drew in a deep breath and continued down the marble staircase without looking back.

The afternoon air was cool against my skin, yet it did little to ease the tension sitting heavily in my chest.

My thoughts were a tangled mess of frustration, humiliation, anger and exhaustion, all fighting for dominance inside my head.

For several moments, Damian walked beside me in silence.

Ordinarily, I would have appreciated it.

Today, it only made me more aware of his presence.

I could still hear Harold’s voice from inside the restaurant. I could still see the shocked expressions on the faces around us when my father had called. Worst of all, I could still remember the look Damian had given me while all of it was happening.

That look bothered me far more than it should have.

It wasn’t pity.

At least, I didn’t think it was.

But it felt dangerously close to understanding, and that somehow made everything worse.

I hated being understood. Understanding meant seeing. And Damian had already seen far too

much.

“Little Flower.”

The nickname immediately grated against my nerves.

I stopped walking and turned to face him. “Can you stop calling me that?”

His brows lifted slightly. “Why?”

“Because I don’t like it.”

The lie sounded weak even to my own ears.

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15:40 Tue, Sep 29 

Chapter 22 Start With Me

Damian studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. “Alright.”

Something about how easily he agreed irritated me further.

I folded my arms tightly across my chest and looked away. “Actually, stop all of it.”

His expression shifted. “Stop what?”

I laughed bitterly. “You know exactly what.”

“No, I don’t.”

I turned back toward him, meeting his gaze head–on.

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Finished

you somehow

“You keep appearing everywhere, Damian. You appeared at the banquet. Then appeared on the road when my car broke down. After that you appeared at my company, inserted yourself into my business meeting, invited yourself into my personal affairs and now you’ve involved yourself in whatever happened back there.”

His jaw tightened slightly. “I invited myself?”

“You know what I mean.”

“No, Flourish. I really don’t.” The calmness in his voice only made me more agitated.

For days now, it felt like every wall I had carefully built around myself was being torn apart piece by piece.

Harold wouldn’t leave me alone.

My father refused to listen to me.

Phina somehow managed to insert herself into every aspect of my

life.

And now Damian was standing here, seeing parts of me that I hadn’t intended anyone to see.

It made me feel exposed.

Vulnerable.

I hated it.

“I don’t need your help,” I said sharply.

His

gaze hardened. “I never said you did.”

“Then stop acting like you’re trying to save me.”

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Chapter 22 Start With Me

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The words hung heavily between us.

For the first time since I’d met him again, Damian looked genuinely displeased.

Not amusement or entertainment. Displeased.

His wolf stirred beneath the surface, and I could feel the shift in the atmosphere immediately.

“I’m not trying to save you.”

“Good.” I pointed toward the parking area.

“Then leave me alone.”

For several seconds he simply stared at me.

I had expected an argument.

I had expected him to challenge me.

Instead, he gave a slow nod. “If that’s what you want.”

Something unpleasant twisted in my chest, but I ignored it. “That’s exactly what I want.”

His eyes searched my face one last time before he stepped back. “Fine.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

I watched him leave, but only for a moment.

Then I climbed into my car and immediately hated myself for feeling disappointed.

The moment I arrived at my company, I buried myself in work.

Contracts, reports, projections, acquisition proposals and investment portfolios quickly filled my desk until there was barely enough room left for a cup of coffee.

The work should have been overwhelming.

Instead, it felt like a relief.

Numbers were simple.

Business was simple.

Neither of them expected anything from me beyond competence. People were significantly

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