When the moon sinks and the shadows are scattered horizontally and diagonally

Chapter 1 : Shadows Cast at Moonset** Seven years into their marriage, Kathleen knew her place in David’s world. To him, she was less a wife and more a convenient outlet—a bedmate for whenever the urge struck. After yet another passionless encounter, he absently nuzzled the top of her head. “If I haven’t found her by the time I turn thirty, I’ll settle down with you for good.” Kathleen knew exactly who occupied his heart: the little girl who had pulled him from the sea over twenty years before. He’d once confessed promising her, even then, that he would marry her when he grew up. For seven years, Kathleen had asked the same question—what if you never find her? For seven years, David had never answered. But tonight, she finally had the answer she’d longed for. A fragile hope fluttered in her chest, because after midnight, David would be thirty. She had thrown a lavish party at his estate on the outskirts of town. Now, in the castle’s top-floor suite, the frantic energy of their encounter had dissipated. In one hour, they would stand before that same castle, hand in hand, ready to face the future. Wincing at the soreness in her lower back, Kathleen leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his Adam’s apple, her gaze hazy with lingering desire. “Wait for me.” An hour later, she stood in a shimmering fishtail gown, a pair of matching wedding bands clutched in her palm. *After tonight*, she thought, *we can finally leave the past behind and truly begin.* But when she turned, she saw David embracing another woman. The man who was usually so aloof he rarely smiled now held a look of wild, disbelieving joy, his voice trembling. “I finally found you!” The woman wore a simple white dress, her face a portrait of innocent alarm. Kathleen stood frozen, the warmth draining from her fingertips in an instant. It was Emily, the daughter of the Jiang family’s former housekeeper. She had lived in the household with her mother since childhood. Kathleen’s father had always treated her kindly, even sponsoring her overseas studies seven years ago. Their personalities had never meshed, resulting in a relationship of consistent, cool politeness. “Mr. David,” Emily stammered, shrinking back slightly, “you… you must have the wrong person.” David released her, his fingers gently tracing the jade pendant hanging from her neck. His voice softened, as if handling a priceless treasure. “This is the token I gave you when you saved me. Why did you never come find me?” Emily looked bewildered. “I… I had a high fever after nearly drowning as a child. I lost some memories. I don’t remember who gave me this pendant.” “It was me,” David said, his eyes blazing. “I told you back then, you would be my only bride in this lifetime.” The words were a knife, plunging straight into Kathleen’s heart. Emily’s gaze, however, drifted over David’s shoulder, locking onto Kathleen. “But Mr. David, you’re already married to Ms. Kathleen.” David turned. The tenderness in his eyes vanished, replaced by the detached coolness reserved for a stranger. “I told her before we married that my heart belonged to someone else. She made her choice.” A suffocating pain seized her chest, stealing her breath. She remembered seven years ago, when the Shen and Jiang families first broached the alliance. The first time she saw David, she’d fallen for those cool, distant eyes. Even then, he had stated plainly: he was waiting for someone. He would never love her. But she, stubborn and proud, had assured him, “I can wait. If you truly find her, I’ll step aside willingly.” She’d been too young, too confident, convinced that time and closeness would work in her favor. Just last night, he had held her and murmured, “Kathleen, let’s have a proper wedding.” Cradled in his arms, her heart had raced, believing she had finally grasped the moon. Now, he was saying his heart belonged only to Emily.