Chapter 5

After half a month of playing the little deaf-mute at the Knight family's place, I'd pretty much figured out how things worked around here.

At 7 a.m., Hayes showed up to give his daily report.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Vincent was nowhere to be seen.

From 4 p.m. until nightfall, all kinds of people started coming and going.

And as for me, I'd gone from being the "suspicious newcomer" to the "mascot." Yeah, that was right: the mascot.

Since I was quiet, didn't make a scene, and stayed out of everyone's way, people got used to openly discussing anything and everything right in front of me.

I'd be sitting in the corner of the living room, flipping through a magazine, while they were talking shop right beside me.

I'd be watering the garden, and they'd be on the phone in the gazebo.

I was basically a walking wiretap, and the sheer amount of intel was enough to fry my brain.

Until that day, someone I'd never seen before showed up.

He looked to be in his early fifties, rocking a sharp suit and hair so perfectly slicked back it could've passed for military regulation. Definitely had the vibe of a big-shot businessman.

But something about the way he came in just felt wrong. He was hunched over.

Yeah, a middle-aged guy who looked like a big deal, actually bending over in front of Vincent.

"Mr. Knight, about last time, I swear, I had no idea. My guys acted on their own. It's got nothing to do with me," he said.

Vincent lounged on the sofa, one arm draped over the armrest, his knuckles tapping slowly. He didn't say a word.

Sweat started to bead on the man's forehead. "Mr. Knight, I've been working with the Knight family for twenty years. You've got to give me at least that much trust, right?"

Vincent finally looked up at him. "Mr. Ross, trust," he paused, "doesn't come free. It costs money."

The man's face changed. "Just name your price."

"The shipment you handled doesn't add up," Vincent said, his voice calm and unhurried. "There's a three-million-dollar discrepancy.

"Since you claim you didn't know about it, let's just chalk it up to poor management on your part."

He paused. "So, four million dollars. Call it a goodwill payment. You've got three days."

The man said, "Mr. Knight, this..."

"Three days," Vincent said, standing up. "If the money's not here by then, it won't be about money anymore." With that, he walked out without another word.

Leonard was left standing in the living room, his face going from pale to ashen and back again.

I was sitting in the corner, hiding behind my magazine.

I got it. So, that was how we shook someone down for money.

Four million dollars, just like that, and he didn't even bat an eye, like he was ordering takeout for four bucks. This guy was ruthless when it came to business.

After Leonard left, Hayes came in to tidy up. He spotted me sitting in the corner and paused for a second. "Luna, you're still here?"

I didn't react.

He muttered to himself, "Man, Luna's got it rough. She's been married to Mr. Knight for ages, and he barely even notices her."

Then he grumbled, "Not that it matters. Even if he did, she wouldn't hear a thing."

I turned the page of my magazine. Thanks for the sympathy, Hayes.

But if you knew I actually heard every word, you'd probably stop feeling sorry for me and start thinking about silencing me for good.

Day after day went by, and I honestly thought I could keep lying low and staying safe like this for as long as I wanted.

But on the eighteenth day, something happened that flipped everything upside down for me in the Knight family.

It was a little after two in the afternoon, and the only ones home were a few maids and me.

The doorbell rang. I didn't move. After all, I was supposed to be deaf, and I couldn't hear the doorbell.

One of the maids went to answer the door. Then a voice drifted in, a voice I knew all too well. "Is Luna here? I'm her dad."

It was Grant.

My body went rigid. Was he here? What the hell was he doing here?'

Three seconds later, Grant was led into the living room. He spotted me and forced a fawning smile. "Luna."

He walked over, reaching out to grab my hand.

I sat there, not moving, my face blank.

He paused, then remembered that I was supposed to be deaf.

He exaggerated every syllable, mouthing each word slowly: "Luna, Dad came to see you."

I watched his lips move, then slowly, almost sluggishly, nodded.

He let out a sigh of relief, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "Rachel got in touch with me."

I kept my face blank. Inside, I was shocked.

"She said she's in Seavialand and wants me to go find her. But she's too scared to come back, afraid the Knight family will catch her.

"She told me to pass on a message. She owes the Knight family money, and she'll pay it back, but she needs time."

I still didn't react.

He got nervous, grabbed my hand, and over-enunciated every syllable with his lips, "Did you hear me?"

I nodded slowly.

He continued, "Luna, just stay here and don't cause any trouble. As long as the Knight family doesn't figure out you're not your sister, you'll be fine.

"Just keep up the act. Once Rachel pays back the money, our whole family will be safe."

He patted the back of my hand, giving me that look like, "It's all on you, Luna."

I sat there, staring at him. It was like swallowing iron.

Grant was my own father. He didn't come to check on me, not once. He was just here to deliver a message, Rachel's message.

He wanted me to keep playing the stand-in, keep being the shield, keep pretending.

He never once asked, "Luna, how are you doing here? Is anyone giving you a hard time? Are you eating enough? Are you warm enough?" Not a single word.

I forced a smile, quiet and bitter. "Okay," I said.

I could speak in front of him. He knew I wasn't really deaf.

Just that one word, and his face instantly relaxed, like a weight had been lifted. "Good. That's my girl. I knew you'd be the smartest."

He stood up, brushing off nonexistent dust from his pants. "Alright, I'm heading out. If anything comes up, I'll drop by again."

He left, his steps light, as he'd shaken off a heavy load.

And I sat there, staring after him, not moving for a long time.

Rachel was in Seavialand, trying to figure out how to pay back the money.

And me? I was stuck here, playing the deaf-mute bride, just waiting for her to save me.

How long was I supposed to wait? What if she couldn't pay it back? What if Vincent, the guy who already knew I wasn't Rachel, decided to make a move before she even had a chance?

I set the magazine down and took a deep breath.

Luna, you couldn't count on anyone. Not your dad, not your sister. The only person you could rely on was yourself.

From that moment on, playing deaf wasn't enough. I needed to start building up my own leverage and prove my worth to Vincent.

Only the useful pieces get to stay in the game.