Chapter 0143

Hannah

I waved my hand as I stepped up to the podium, my well-practiced smile spreading across my face. The flash of the cameras was nearly blinding, but I didn’t let it faze me—this moment was too important for that.

“Hello, everyone,” I said warmly, leaning into the microphone. “Thank you all for coming today.”

A ripple of murmurs went through the assembled crowd. I swept my gaze over the audience, taking stock; it was a better turnout than I’d expected. Despite holding this event much sooner than initially anticipated, many people seemed excited.

And so was I. After all, I’d been working on this for weeks, unbeknownst to Noah. I’d managed to hide my plans that day he’d seen my other notes for the Lunar Festival because I wanted to keep this to myself. I didn’t need him stepping in and commandeering everything as he so often did. My idea for the Eating Disorder Awareness campaign had taken root after my first support group meeting about a month ago, while chatting with the counselor one night.

We’d mentioned moving the support group to a new location, as the church was converting its room into storage. I’d suggested opening an office downtown. But slowly, over time, it had blossomed into something more—a full month-long campaign to raise awareness and fundraise for an eating disorders center.

Initially, I thought this campaign could boost my approval ratings, helping people like me more after the divorce and easing my exit from my marriage to Noah. But eventually, that goal shifted. I wanted to see the small counseling sessions blossom into something more: an entire center for eating disorder support and recovery. A place where anyone of any age and gender could go for therapy, information, and even inpatient assistance in severe cases.

“As the Luna of Nightcrest,” I began, keeping my voice carefully chipper, “it is my duty to ensure the safety and well-being of my people. That’s why I’ve decided to run this campaign—to increase awareness for one of the most deadly mental disorders and provide help to anyone who suffers from an eating disorder.”

I paused, gesturing to the woman behind me. “That is why I’ve partnered with Sophia, the head counselor for our local eating disorder support group.” I waved Sophia forward and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Sophia and I have recently been discussing opportunities to expand the support group,” I said. “We hope to extend the group’s outreach, eventually focusing on developing a new, state-of-the-art center for eating disorder support.”

Over the next few minutes, I unveiled my plans for the new building: a relatively small but modern structure, hopefully located in the heart of the city, next to the local hospital campus. The building would be staffed 24/7, allowing anyone needing help to apply for counseling or admission. It would have twenty private rooms free to those who needed them, and specialized nurses and doctors on staff to monitor patients’ recovery. Here, at this new center, patients would receive personalized care. Those with eating disorders would not be lumped into the psych ward at the hospital where staff lacked certain expertise, but would receive the specialized care they needed. And insurance wasn’t necessary; everything would be completely free.

“You know…” I paused, cautiously licking my lips as I surveyed the crowd. “I, too, suffer from an eating disorder.”

The crowd murmured softly and shifted in their seats.

“It’s true,” I said. “I have suffered from anorexia for years; binging and purging, starvation, diet supplements, fear of food. I have experienced it all and suffered greatly. But…” I paused, drawing in a shuddering breath. “Thanks to the help of those like Sophia and my friends, I have begun the road to recovery.”

Scanning the crowd, I finally saw Drake. I pointed at him, grinning widely. “One of my confidants is none other than Alpha Drake, a wonderful friend of mine,” I said. “On more than one occasion, he has convinced me to eat, even when I’m terrified to do it, even going so far as to feed me with his own hands.”

All eyes turned to Drake, who blinked curiously at me. I hadn’t warned him, but it didn’t matter; all that mattered was that people believed it, and that it detracted from those damn tabloids. After all, that was part of the reason I’d held this event today, instead of two weeks from now as originally planned. If I could change the narrative of what had been going on in that picture—and technically, I was telling the truth—then all this nonsense about a ‘sordid affair’ would blow over in an instant.

Before the crowd could bristle, I continued, “A wonderful support system is key for any recovery,” I said. “And that is why I’m beginning this campaign; to provide support for those who need it. Sophia, would you like to unveil our first fundraising event?”

“Certainly, Hannah,” Sophia leaned into the microphone. “In two weeks’ time, we will be hosting a pageant.”

The crowd shifted uncomfortably, just as I suspected they would.

“A beauty pageant?” someone called out. “Isn’t that counterintuitive for an eating disorder campaign?”

I smiled and shook my head. “This pageant will be different. We will not be choosing winners based on looks; only on merit and purity of heart. All contestants will be hidden behind a screen, forcing the judges—and all of us—to choose a winner without being swayed by appearance.”

For several moments, the crowd looked at each other with uncertainty. I saw a few people shake their heads and purse their lips, but I expected this; of course, some people would be against it. But, as the first person rose to begin the applause, I knew that the majority would approve. Soon, the entire room erupted into applause. Sophia and I grinned at each other, and she gave me a tight hug.

“Thank you,” she whispered as we pulled apart. “I’m so excited.”

“Me too,” I replied with a grin.

Together, Sophia and I stepped off the podium to begin mingling. We shook hands and answered questions, smiling for the cameras as we slowly made our way through the crowd. But then I felt a familiar pair of eyes on me. Lifting my head, I saw him. Noah stood in the doorway, his mouth hanging open in shock.