The Moon That Remembered My Face by Elias Rowan Montclair 129

After the shoot, Annie and Jaden join the gathering, still energized. William’s unexpected arrival surprises Jaden, who reacts with a teasing grin, amused that William came because of a posted video. Jaden even jokes about profiting if William wins Annie’s heart. However, Annie feels a shift inside her; the excitement she once felt when William appeared is gone, especially after Jaden’s harsh comment that William would never choose her. Frustrated but determined, Annie decides to embarrass Jaden during the evening.

Annie livens up the group with drinking games, especially a chaotic “Match and Grab” game that sparks laughter and playful teasing. Jaden, though good at sports, struggles with singing and dancing, becoming the target of Annie’s jokes. Despite his embarrassment, he endures her teasing, while the group enjoys the fun atmosphere. Meanwhile, Lillian watches Helena and William interact quietly, feeling jealous and withdrawn. Helena remains moody and distant, not joining the games, and Oliver tries to cheer her up but senses her discomfort.

Tensions rise when Owen and William exchange sharp words over Helena. William asserts his claim on Helena, declaring he will protect her fiercely, which infuriates Owen. Helena worries about the escalating conflict and quietly asks William to calm down. Matthew steps in to mediate, encouraging Owen to join a toast with William. Owen, irritated but restrained, drinks and uses a spilled food incident as an excuse to leave. Oliver watches him leave, while Eric receives a call from Lillian and excuses himself.

Jane, encouraged by alcohol, prepares to confess something important and follows Owen as he leaves. Meanwhile, the lively party continues with singing and dancing, with Annie dragging Jaden into the crowd. At the table, only Helena, William, and Matthew remain. Matthew notices William’s hidden displeasure, especially after Helena seemed to side with Owen earlier. He confronts Helena, asking if she had truly planned to marry Owen if William hadn’t come that night.

Just as the last scene wrapped up, Annie and Jaden made their way over, still buzzing from the shoot.

William’s sudden arrival caught Jaden off guard, and he couldn’t help but flash him a sly, teasing grin—part surprise, part challenge.

Seriously? He dashed over here just because I posted that video? Jaden mused, amusement flickering behind his eyes. Somehow, despite everything, I’m still kind of rooting for the guy.

If William actually manages to win my sister’s heart, I’m definitely cashing in for a hefty red envelope, Jaden thought with a smirk.

But Annie, watching William approach, didn’t feel the familiar flutter of excitement she once did. The warmth she used to feel when he showed up was missing—something intangible had shifted between them.

Her mind replayed Jaden’s blunt words: “Even if Helena vanished from his life, William wouldn’t pick you. You’re just not his type.”

A sharp ache tightened her chest. She shot Jaden a sideways glare, itching to vent all her frustration on him.

Could he just zip it instead of cursing my chances? she seethed silently. I really can’t stand him right now.

Determined, a mischievous grin crept across her face. Just wait—today, I’ll embarrass him so badly he won’t know what hit him.

True to her nature as the life of any gathering, Annie wasted no time once seated. She hollered for drinks and proposed a round of drinking games to liven things up.

The loser of each round had to perform a little skit or some silly act. Everyone eagerly agreed, and Annie suggested a game called “Match and Grab.”

The rules were simple: everyone threw rock-paper-scissors simultaneously. If two or more players chose the same gesture, they had to quickly grab each other’s hands.

Grab the wrong hand, hesitate, or freeze, and you were out.

The game’s simplicity sparked instant chaos, laughter erupting around the table as hands flew and players scrambled.

Jaden was out by the second round. Annie wasted no time teasing him, demanding he get up and sing.

Jaden was the quintessential guy’s guy—sports came naturally, whether shooting hoops or throwing punches in the ring.

But ask him to sing or dance? That was a whole different story.

“Come on, I can’t sing. How about I just take a shot instead?” he pleaded, trying to wiggle out.

“No way,” Annie shot back, tossing a playful taunt his way. “If you’re a real man, stop acting shy and get up there!”

With Annie pushing him like the bossy princess she was, Jaden reluctantly croaked out the simplest tune he could muster.

Annie laughed so hard she nearly toppled off her chair. “Wow, you’re worse than a toddler!” she teased.

Jaden knew he was hopeless at this, so despite burning cheeks, he swallowed his embarrassment and stayed quiet.

At least singing was something he could somewhat manage—even if only a few lines.

Dancing, however, was a lost cause.

The next time he lost and Annie ordered him to dance, he mimicked the sword dance Helena had shown Jean.

Annie immediately called him out, yelling that he was just faking it and that move didn’t count. She made him start over with a real dance.

Jaden gritted his teeth, muttering, “No way.”

Annie smirked, teasing, “Can’t handle losing, huh?”

Luckily, Matthew stepped in to break the tension, telling Annie to ease up on her junior brother.

Annie just grinned proudly. “Junior brothers are made to be bullied—it’s the law!”

Jaden had no comeback. He figured real men don’t argue with girls, so he surrendered, letting her keep teasing him.

Thanks to their playful banter, the table buzzed with laughter and good energy.

No one brought up the earlier tensions.

Yet, as Lillian observed Helena and William sitting side by side, a sharp pang of jealousy welled up inside her. Though they barely exchanged words, Helena quietly served William food and peeled shrimp for him with gentle care.

Helena sat withdrawn, her expression moody, not joining in the games or the laughter around her.

Oliver noticed her silence and poured some juice, nudging her gently. “If you’re not into the games, at least don’t just sit there looking so glum. Have some juice.”

Lillian stayed silent, her quiet refusal speaking volumes.

Oliver ruffled her hair lightly. “Hey, my phone’s about to die. Mind grabbing me a power bank?”

Relieved for a reason to escape, Lillian nodded quickly, downed her juice, and headed off.

Oliver’s lips twitched into a faint smile. When Owen glanced at him, Oliver gave a helpless grin. “Lillian’s probably not in the best mood right now.”

Owen understood exactly what was weighing on her mind. Being pushed to marry a man who wasn’t even her real brother? Of course she was upset.

He glanced at Helena, then downed his drink in one gulp, his mood darkening.

William’s cold, piercing gaze locked onto Owen. After a moment’s thought, William stood and poured a full glass for him.

“Owen, Helena told me she sees you as a brother. If that’s how she feels, then so do I. Let’s drink to that,” William said, raising his glass.

“Brother?” Owen frowned, a complex swirl of irritation and disbelief crossing his face. Was that really all he was to her now?

“So now I’m just the elder brother-in-law?” he thought bitterly, the label feeling like a permanent exile from Helena’s heart.

Already in a foul mood, Owen felt William’s gesture—clearly meant to needle him—push the gloom even deeper.

He wanted to storm out, but with Helena right there, causing a scene was out of the question.

Still, when his eyes met William’s cold, midnight-black stare, Owen dropped the usual charm. His voice came out sharp and blunt.

“Mr. Ashford, what right do you have to speak to me like this?” Owen snapped. “Last I checked, Helena isn’t single. With everyone watching, if you really cared about her, you wouldn’t make her the center of attention again.”

William’s expression remained unreadable, revealing nothing. “Don’t try to provoke me. Helena is mine, no matter what anyone says or who she is.

I will love and protect her. Anyone who badmouths her, I’ll tear their tongue out.”

His tone was razor-sharp, dripping with alpha confidence.

Owen’s blood boiled. He let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Wow, Mr. Ashford, you sure know how to throw your weight around.”

William fired back, “Thanks for the compliment. I’ve earned it.”

Owen’s chest heaved with anger, William’s shameless arrogance hitting him like a gut punch.

Helena felt a knot of worry twist tight inside her chest, powerless as the tension escalated.

She cared deeply for both men and desperately wished to avoid a fight.

Gently tugging William’s sleeve, she pleaded softly, “Please, can you not make it worse?”

For real? William grumbled silently. This is already the second time Helena’s told me to shut up. Wait, does she actually want to marry Owen?

William lowered his gaze, meeting Helena’s gentle eyes. His lips pressed into a thin, cold line.

Seeing the situation heat up, Matthew stepped in to mediate.

“Come on, it’s just one drink. William hardly ever toasts anyone—he’s my guy. Owen, don’t leave him hanging.”

Since Matthew was essentially running the show—and funding the whole thing—Owen had little room to argue, no matter how annoyed he felt.

Swallowing his irritation, Owen drained his glass in one go.

Nearby, Oliver couldn’t resist flashing a sly grin. “Here, Owen, eat something.”

But as he handed over the food, his grip slipped, and the wing tumbled onto Owen’s shirt.

“Oops, sorry man. Got your shirt dirty,” Oliver said sheepishly.

“No big deal,” Owen shrugged, brushing it off.

Truthfully, he’d been looking for an excuse to leave, and this was perfect.

“I’ll go change shirts and be right back,” Owen announced, getting up.

Oliver watched him go, adjusting his glasses as he tracked Owen’s movement across the room.

At that moment, Eric’s phone rang—it was Lillian. His expression darkened as he stood.

“Enjoy your food, I’ll be back in a minute. Just need to use the restroom.”

Oliver headed toward the restroom but didn’t answer the call, switching his phone to silent instead.

Back at the table, Jane had been drinking steadily, her cheeks flushed a deep rosy hue from the alcohol.

The liquor gave her the courage she needed—she was psyching herself up for what was coming next: her big confession.

The moment she saw Owen leave, she downed the rest of her half-full glass, jumped up, and hurried after him.

Nearby, by the bonfire, a lively group sang and danced, filling the air with infectious energy.

Jaden wasn’t escaping Annie’s grip either—she dragged him right into the crowd, and he reluctantly joined the wild celebration.

Back at the table, only Helena, William, and Matthew remained.

Matthew sipped his drink quietly, casting a subtle sideways glance at William.

Though William appeared calm on the surface, after all these years, Matthew could tell he was far from pleased.

He’d noticed Helena’s earlier gesture—taking Owen’s side right in front of William. There was no way William could be happy about that.

Matthew raised his eyebrows at Helena and asked pointedly, “Come on, if William hadn’t come tonight—don’t tell me you were actually planning to marry Owen?”

This chapter delicately captures the tangled emotions and simmering tensions among the characters, highlighting the complexities of love, loyalty, and rivalry. Annie’s playful teasing of Jaden provides a lighthearted contrast to the undercurrents of jealousy and unspoken feelings that ripple through the group. The interactions reveal how past affections and present uncertainties intertwine, leaving each character grappling with their own hopes and insecurities.

Amid the laughter and games, the chapter also exposes the fragile balance between friendship and romantic entanglements, especially through the charged exchanges between William, Owen, and Helena. The delicate dance of protection, possessiveness, and unspoken desires underscores the emotional stakes at play. As the night unfolds, the characters’ vulnerabilities surface, reminding us that beneath the bravado and teasing lies a deep yearning for connection and understanding.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions that have been quietly building beneath the surface. With William’s unwavering claim over Helena and Owen’s bruised pride clashing openly, the emotional stakes are higher than ever. Helena’s conflicted feelings and the fragile balance she tries to maintain between these two men will be put to the test, revealing cracks that might be impossible to mend without confrontation.

Meanwhile, Annie’s playful yet pointed teasing of Jaden adds a lighter but no less charged dynamic, hinting at unresolved feelings and undercurrents that could complicate relationships further. Jane’s brewing confession and the subtle but sharp exchanges among the group suggest that secrets and truths may soon come to light, forcing everyone to face their desires, loyalties, and fears. As the night unfolds, expect the atmosphere to shift from festive to fraught, with emotions running high and unexpected alliances tested.

Lucia Morh

Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.