His Forbidden Desire

Luna Zadre

“Cedrica! Hurry up, we’re late!” I called out, standing near the front door with my keys in hand, already feeling the pressure building in my chest. The sun was barely up, and yet, everything seemed to be moving too slowly.

We couldn’t afford to be late, not today.

“I’m coming, Mom!” she yelled back from upstairs. I could hear her footsteps getting closer.

I sighed, glancing at the clock.

“We need to go now, Cedrica. The driver is waiting.”

“Relax, I’m almost done!”

She sounded distracted, but I knew my daughter well enough by now. She was always lost in her own world, and I couldn’t shake the feeling something was off with her lately. Her sharp gaze, her icy silence, it was all so... unsettling.

Finally, she appeared at the top of the stairs, her long brown hair flowing behind her. At 16, Cedrica had blossomed into a beautiful young lady, but it wasn’t just her looks that grabbed attention.

There was a fire in her eyes, an undeniable strength that made people uncomfortable, myself included. She was my daughter, but sometimes, I felt like I didn’t fully know her anymore.

She didn’t say anything as she walked past me and out the door, her footsteps quick but deliberate. I followed her, locking the door behind us. As we got into the car, I caught a glimpse of Ethan, the driver, through the rearview mirror. His eyes were already on Cedrica.

“Ethan,” I said sharply, his name a warning.

He snapped his gaze away, quickly focusing on the road. “Yes, Luna. Sorry.”

Cedrica slid into the backseat without a word, her face expressionless as always.

. I couldn’t help but watch her, noting the way she carried herself, so grown, yet so distant.

I glanced at Ethan again, catching him looking at Cedrica once more, and I clenched my jaw. He had been acting strangely lately, more than usual, and I wasn’t sure why.

“Ethan,” I said again, my voice colder this time. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

He stiffened, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “No, Luna. Nothing at all.”

I narrowed my eyes. Something wasn’t right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

The drive was short, but every second felt like an eternity. When we pulled up to Cedrica’s school, she got out without a word, barely acknowledging me.

I watched her walk toward the entrance, her back straight, her head held high. Something about the way she moved made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. She was no longer the sweet little girl who needed protection.

She was turning into someone... else. Someone I didn’t fully recognize.

“Be careful, Cedrica,” I called out, my voice barely audible as she walked away.

She didn’t respond.

Ethan cleared his throat from the driver’s seat. “Luna, is everything alright? You seem... tense.”

“I’m fine,” I said, but my voice lacked conviction. “Just drive to Amira’s place. We’re