I looked at myself in the mirror and scolded myself for being weak and letting Luke affect me so much. How did I let this happen? I always prided myself on being strong and independent, but Luke had managed to break through my defenses and make me feel things I didn't want to feel.
"I should know better," I said quietly, feeling disappointed in myself.

As I thought back to our encounters, I realized how easily he had gotten under my skin. His touch, his words, his presence – they stirred something deep inside me, something I had tried to hide. But now, I couldn't deny it anymore. I was drawn to him in a way that scared me.
I paced back and forth in my room and my mind was filled with conflicting thoughts. The way he made me feel alive and wanted was intoxicating. But on the other hand, I hated myself for being so vulnerable and letting someone have power over me.
"How did I become so weak?" I whispered, feeling anger bubbling up inside me.
I clenched my fists, frustration coursing through me. I couldn't let this continue. I couldn't let myself be consumed by this vulnerability. It was time to take control and regain my strength. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I needed to do because I couldn't afford to be weak anymore when it comes to him.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts before I went to talk to him again. He was startled when I suddenly appeared in front of him. Then, I frowned because he was busy packing his stuff, as if he planned to leave Pembroke for good.
“I thought you don’t want to see me again,” he reminded me of our last conversation after I let him have my body last night.

"I can't keep going like this, Luke,” I said, and he furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Isabella, I never wanted to hurt you. You know how much I care about you, right?”
I shook my head, not letting his words sway me. "It's not about hurting me, Luke. It's about me losing myself. I've become weak, relying on you for my happiness. That's not who I am, and it's not what I want!”
Silence hung in the air as Luke absorbed my words. His gaze softened, and I could see a hint of understanding in his eyes. "You're right, Isabella. You are happy when you are with me, so why kept resisting me to be with you all the time? You need me, and I need you as well,” he said.

“You don’t understand anything,” I replied.
“Then, make me understand!” he yelled at me and I was surprised. “You are hiding something from me, Isabella. I don’t know what it is but it’s bothering you, and scaring you at the same time! Tell me about it!” he demanded.
As he demanded the truth from me, I took a deep breath. Perhaps, he would understand me better than anyone if he had an idea what I was keeping to myself. “I am a married woman, Luke,” I began and he gasped for air. He was obviously shocked.
“Married? To whom? What are you talking about Isabella? Your Dad wouldn’t arranged your marriage to someone else if you are already married”
“I was married to Aric Stormheart,” I told him and he immediately frowned at me.
“Are you sick or something? How could you marry him? You already rejected him, remember? Isabella, what’s wrong? What are you talking about?”
“This is my second life, Luke. Believe it or not, but the Moon Goddess sent me back after being killed by Vanessa and Aric. Do you get my drift?”
“Are you saying you came from the future? A time traveler? Is it really possible?”
“Everything is possible with the Moon Goddess,” I reminded him, and he was just staring at me. “I know you will find it hard to believe, but I am telling the truth as you demanded. I didn’t want to confuse me about this thing, but you insisted on knowing the truth, so that’s my truth,” I said, and for a moment, he was speechless.
Then, he laughed.
“I know you won’t believe me. That’s why I kept to myself. Anyway, now that you know the truth, I think it’s best that you should just return to Lancaster as soon as possible.”
“I still don’t understand, Isabella. Why would the Moon Goddess choose you? I mean, why would she send you back here? To do what?”
Actually, I asked the same question to myself. Why the Moon Goddess did chose me? “To change my future,” I replied because it was the best answer why she did me a favor.
“Or maybe you were so desperate to live that she decided to use it against you, Isabella. Think about it, why would she offer that opportunity to you?”
“What are you trying to tell me, Luke? That the Moon Goddess was just using me as her pawn?”
“Probably. If you have noticed, your eye color was not the same as before. Even your hair color had changed. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice it, Isabella?”
“Okay, let’s say that the Moon Goddess if trying to use me for her advantage. What’s wrong with it? It’s a win-win situation, don’t you agree? I get to live my life again, Luke, and I can stop some horrible things from happening!”
“Such as what? Such as becoming the Luna of Lancaster?” he asked and, for a moment, I didn’t know what to say.