~~~~
The next few hours passed in a blur. Steve and Luna didn't speak much, both lost in their own thoughts, trying to make sense of the chaos that had unfolded. Luna couldn't stop thinking about the journal. About the truth her father had discovered before his death. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that everything was connected. Her father's death, Gideon's involvement, and even the strange unease in the mansion,it was all part of a bigger picture.
Ashy, who had been silent for most of the night, finally spoke up. "There's something off about Gideon, isn't there?"
Luna turned to him, surprised by his insight. "You think so too?"
Ashy nodded. "I've always felt like there was more to him than he let on. The way he moves around the house, the way he looks at things... it's like he's hiding something."
Steve leaned forward, his gaze intense. "What exactly are you trying to say, Ashy?"
Ashy swallowed, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. "I'm not sure, but... I overheard him talking to someone in the kitchen a few weeks ago. He was arguing with someone about how much longer they had to keep up the charade."
Luna's heart skipped a beat. "Did you hear who he was talking to?"
"No," Ashy said quietly. "But I think he was talking about you, Luna. About father."
Steve's expression darkened. "This isn't just a family betrayal. This goes deeper."
Luna felt a chill run down her spine. If Gideon had been talking about her father, if he had been part of whatever scheme had led to his death, then everything they had believed about the man was a lie.
"We need to confront him," Luna said firmly, determination in her eyes. "We can't let him get away with this."
It wasn't long before the chance for confrontation came. Late the following evening, with the mansion quiet except for the guards stationed at every entrance, Luna and Steve made their way to the kitchen. Gideon was there, as expected, cleaning up after the evening's meal.
He looked up when they entered, his calm demeanor not giving away anything. "Is something wrong, sir?" he asked Steve, his tone polite but distant.
"We need to talk, Gideon," Steve said, his voice low and commanding.
Gideon didn't flinch, but there was a subtle change in his posture. He knew what was coming.
Luna stepped forward, holding the journal tightly in her hands. "We know what you did, Gideon," she said coldly. "We know what you helped my father's murderer do."
Gideon's eyes flickered, his facade cracking for just a moment. "You don't understand.."
"I understand enough," Luna interrupted. "You were part of it. Part of the plot that killed my father. And now you're trying to cover your tracks."
Gideon's expression turned hard, his eyes narrowing. "I didn't have a choice. Your father was digging too deep. If he hadn't been stopped, everything would have fallen apart. You wouldn't understand."
Luna's hands tightened around the journal. "Try me."
There was a long silence, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Finally, Gideon exhaled, his shoulders sagging in defeat. "I never wanted it to go this far. But when Jonathan Collins gets involved, there's no backing out."
Steve stepped forward, his fists clenched. "You killed my father's best friend. You killed Luna's father. And for what? A promise from a man who didn't give a damn about you?"
Gideon's eyes flickered with regret, but his resolve remained firm. "You don't know what it's like to be trapped. To have no choice but to obey."
Luna stepped back, her eyes filled with disgust. "I don't care about your excuses, Gideon. You're no better than the man who ordered the murder."
Steve turned to Luna, his face hardening. "It's time to take this to the authorities. You'll pay for what you did."
Gideon didn't protest. There was nothing left to say.
The next day, the police arrived. Gideon was taken into custody, his face ashen as he was escorted out of the mansion. Steve and Luna stood side by side, watching him go.
Luna felt a strange mix of relief and anger. Her father's death had been avenged, but the pain of what they had lost could never be undone.
"We'll make sure this never happens again," Steve said quietly, his voice filled with determination.
Luna nodded, her eyes never leaving Gideon's retreating form. "Yes. And we'll rebuild. Together."
As the police cars drove away, Luna couldn't help but wonder what else the future would hold. But one thing was certain: with Steve by her side, they were finally ready to face whatever came next.
The house felt different after Gideon was taken away.
Quieter. Lighter. But not exactly peaceful.
Grace stood at the balcony that morning, staring into the distance with folded arms. Luna joined her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"He's gone," Luna said softly. "He won't hurt us again."
Grace nodded slowly. "I trusted him. He was in our lives for years. I never thought… I never imagined…"
Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them. "Your father always said there was something about Gideon he didn't trust. I wish I'd listened."
Luna gave her a comforting hug. "You couldn't have known, Mom. None of us did."
Ashy came bounding into the hallway just then, holding a slice of bread and chewing like he hadn't eaten in days. "Mum, is it safe to go to the backyard now?" he asked with his mouth full.
Grace chuckled for the first time in days. "Yes, but don't go near the fence."
"Okay!" he ran off again like nothing had happened.
Luna smiled faintly. "That boy's going to grow up and tell people he survived a mansion conspiracy like it was a cartoon."
"Let him enjoy his peace," Grace replied. "He deserves it."