THE CURSED LUNA
Chapter 48

Amira pov

I was lounging on the couch, twiddling my thumbs and waiting for Tris to finally get his act together for our early morning workout when a knock echoed through the house. Seriously, who could it be? I usually have my schedule down to a science and wasn't expecting any surprise guests. My gaze was glued to the door, pondering the mystery of the unexpected visitor.

"Emily, who's at the door?" Tris called out, his voice dripping with urgency. I didn't even bother to respond because I was too busy savoring my hot chocolate. With a heavy sigh, I sluggishly dragged myself to the door, still cradling my cup of cocoa. Peeking through the peephole, I was greeted by a stranger-some lady with brown hair and a thick layer of red lipstick that looked like it could bite. Sorry, but that's just the vibe she gave off. "Emily, are you there?"

"Yep, just doing a little detective work before I open the door and risk getting snatched away," I quipped, letting out a light chuckle.

Tris snickered from the couch, "So, did you figure out who the mystery woman is?"

I rolled my eyes, still peering through the peephole at the enigmatic figure. "Nope, she's a total stranger to me."

"Could it be a neighbor?" Tris threw it out there.

"Not a chance," I shot back, taking in her sleek outfit and sky-high heels that screamed 'not from around here' in our laid-back neighborhood.

With a mix of intrigue and a hint of dread, I unlocked the door and swung it open. The woman's striking green eyes met mine, and she greeted me with a dazzling smile that could stop traffic. "Tris?" she purred, her voice dripping with confidence.

He nodded, clearly feeling a bit uneasy. "That's me."

She reached out with a perfectly manicured hand. "Why the stare? I've been trying to get in touch with you."

Tris shook her hand, his palms sweaty. "What's this all about?"

Her gaze flicked past me, eyeing the inside of our home. "Can I come in? This isn't exactly a doorstep chat."

Tris sidled up next to me, curiosity written all over his face. "Everything alright?"

I nodded, and we stepped aside to let her in.

As she walked in, her eyes roamed our cozy living room, pausing on the workout gear strewn about. "Sorry for dropping by so early, but we're on a tight schedule."

"I didn't lose my way, Tris. I miss you, and I can't bear the thought of losing you again," she implored, her eyes heavy with emotion as they flickered to me.

I watched her strut over to Tris, hand raised like she was about to bless him or something, but he was having none of it. "Get your hands off me," he growled, giving her a look that screamed discomfort. "What's the drama here, Tris?" I asked, hands shoved in my pockets, completely baffled by this wild scene. "Tris, who's this?" the lady who just waltzed in asked, her eyes darting to me. I stepped forward, thinking maybe she thought I was some kind of support for Tris. "I should be asking you that, sweetheart. Who do you think you are?"

"I am..." Tris cut her off. "She's my past, my mistake, and she's outta here." He practically lunged for her arm, but she just shook him off. "Don't touch me. I'm not going anywhere. We all mess up, and Tris, I'm sorry." Audrey's apology lingered in the air like a dare, her eyes sparking with fierce resolve. Tris's expression darkened, his jaw tightening like a vice.

"Sorry?" Tris echoed, his voice low and threatening. "You think a simple 'sorry' is enough after all the chaos you caused?"

Victoria took a step back, her confidence faltering for just a heartbeat before she steadied herself. "I know I hurt you, Tris. I'm here to make things right."

I raised an eyebrow, totally intrigued by the drama unfolding. "Make things right?" I chimed in. "What exactly did you do to him?"

Victoria's eyes darted to me, and for a split second, I caught a flicker of doubt. "That's a private matter between Tris and me."

Tris scoffed. "You really think you can just stroll back in and expect me to wipe the slate clean? You have no clue what you put me through."

The tension crackled between them, and I felt like a spectator in a high-stakes showdown. But my curiosity was on fire.

"Tris, what's the deal here?" I asked, gently placing my hand on his arm.

He turned to me, his face a mask of anguish. "Emily, this is Audrey, my ex-fiancée."

My jaw dropped in shock. Tris had never mentioned he had an ex-fiancée.

"The one who ditched me at the altar," Tris added, his voice laced with bitterness.

Victoria flinched, but her gaze remained unwavering. "I was young and terrified, Tris. I didn't know what I wanted."

"Spare me," Tris shot back. "You've had years to say sorry. Why now?"

Audrey's eyes locked onto Tris's, her voice barely a whisper. "Because I finally understand what I lost. I want a second chance." Tris's laughter was icy and harsh. "You think you've earned that?"

The air was thick with unspoken feelings, and I couldn't help but wonder what secrets were buried beneath all this drama. "Okay, can we hit pause for a sec?" I jumped in, sensing the conversation was about to explode. "This is a lot to unpack."

She nodded, her face a blend of determination and desperation. "I get it. But please, Tris, just listen to me."

Tris's face twisted in disgust. "You've got five minutes."

The clock on the wall seems to tick louder.

"Tris, darling, spill the tea! What's the deal with her popping back into your life after all this time? I need to know what she's after! I'm just dying to understand her motives." "Oh, sweet Emily, that's really not your concern. Just know that I'm not going anywhere." The way she emphasized "not going anywhere" sent chills right down my spine.