CHAPTER 35
Celeste’s POV
I kept my expression calm, smoothing the fabric of my dress like I wasn’t clenching my teeth to keep my pulse in check.
What the hell is he thinking, locking us both in here?
“Impressive,” he suddenly said, voice low and sharp as glass, as he moved closer to me. “You managed to clear your name and
even earned a round of applause. Bravo.”
His sarcasm dripped like venom, but I refused to rise to it.
“If you’re just here to make snide remarks,” I said coolly, not even bothering to look up, “the door is right there.”
“Don’t talk to me like that.”
His voice dropped, darker this time–more dangerous.
I finally lifted my eyes to meet him. “What right do you have to meddle in my affairs, Damien? We’re already divorced.”
–
That word divorced–hit like a slap. I saw it in the flicker of pain that flashed across his features before he forced it back behind
that familiar mask of cold detachment.
“Divorced?” he echoed with a bitter laugh. “You think you can get rid of me that easily?”
And then, without warning, he stepped even closer.
Too close.
I barely had time to react before he leaned in, one hand braced against the wall beside me, the other resting just above my
shoulder–caging me in.
His scent, his nearness–it all
Il came back in on
one uninvited rush. But I didn’t let it show.
I held my ground. “Move.”
He didn’t. And for a breathless moment, the silence between us felt louder than any of the chaos outside.
forced myself to stay still, to suppress the rising tension in my chest.
Because the truth was… my feelings for Damien hadn’t completely disappeared. I had just buried them under everything he’d done. Everything he hadn’t done.
But he kept moving closer–step by step, breath by breath–until I could feel the heat of him, the restraint humming beneath his
fury.
His jaw clenched. His eyes locked on mine like they were trying to peel back every defense I’d built since the day I walked away.
+20 Bonus
And I still didn’t move.
Because I couldn’t let myself fall back into old patterns. Not now. Not when I’d just taken back control of my life.
“What do you want from me, Damien?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He didn’t flinch, Didn’t blink. His voice dropped to something rougher–cool steel beneath every word.
“You said you weren’t coming,” he said, eyes locked on mine. “But you walked in on his arm like you belonged there.”
I opened my mouth, but he didn’t give me the chance.
“Was that the plan all along?” he asked, stepping in–close enough that the tension curled between us like smoke. “Turn me
down, then show up in my world, with him? You knew exactly what you were doing ”
Ah. There it was. Theo. That was his main issue.
I scoffed with disbelief. “Are you done talking?”
Damien’s jaw flexed as he took a step closer, eyes locked on mine. “You think you can just disappear from my life and start aligning yourself with Theo Mercer like I never mattered?” His voice sharpened. “Like you weren’t mine first?”
I stiffened, every nerve in my body coiled tight
“We’re divorced, Damien,” I stepped forward, matching his glare. “I don’t owe you explanations. I don’t need your permission.
And I sure as hell don’t need to keep you in the loop.”
He looked stunned for half a second–but I wasn’t finished.
“Whatever fantasies you’ve been clinging to, let them go. You lost the right to know my secrets the day you stopped trusting me.”
I shook my head and turned to leave.
But Damien stepped forward, cornering me into an even tighter space, “You think a divorce wipes the slate clean? You really think I don’t see you getting close to Theo for today?” he snapped.
–
His words stole the breath from my lungs far more cutting than any of the murmurs echoing through the hall. The fury inside me was no longer simmering–it was boiling over.
“You know what I think? This was never about justice. It’s always been about your pride. You couldn’t stand the thought that I might’ve moved on. That I might’ve survived without you.” My voice cracked with emotion as I stepped closer. “And now you’re
furious because I stood up in front of everyone and took my life back–after you left me bleeding in public.”
The words came out sharper than I intended. But I didn’t care.
A storm was brewing on Damien’s face.
Ding!
Suddenly, there was a text showing up on his phone. It was from Genevieve.
+20 Bonus
A cold understanding settled into my bones.
Maybe this is not just about Theo….
What I said to the public today didn’t just clear my name – I pointed a subtle finger at Genevieve.
He’s angry because he knows she’ll get into trouble for what I divulged today!
I stared at him, disbelief curdling into something sharp and bitter. “That’s what this is about, isn’t it?” I said, my voice low and
trembling. “You’re not angry because I stood next to Theo. You’re angry because I laid out the truth and it pointed–maybe not by
name, but clearly enough–at her.”
He said nothing. And that silence? It told me everything
“You’re protecting her,” I said flatly.
Damien’s jaw tensed. “That’s not what this is
“Isn’t it?” I cut in, my voice rising, fueled by the storm that had been building inside me all night. “You’ve defended her from day
one. Every time I begged you to believe me, she was the one standing next to you. And you let her.”
He stepped forward, his tone hardening “Genevieve is our friend. She cared about you too, and that’s why she told the truth as
she believed it to be.”
I laughed bitterly. “She’s a liar!”
Neither of us backed down. His eyes burned into mine, unapologetic. My fists clenched at my sides, pulsing with a fury I could
barely contain
“You made your choice,” I said, my voice like steel. “Don’t stand here now pretending it was anything else.”
His expression didn’t shift.
“I know she was behind it. The fake photos. The lies. The timing–everything was perfect. Too perfect. And you-”
I drew a shaky breath, clenching my fists.
“You stood by and watched as Genevieve let the media rip me apart.
was okay.”
- t. You didn’t say a word. Not even one damn message
to ask if I
I swallowed hard, my voice dropping lower, edged with hurt. “Did you enjoy watching them drag me through the mud?”
He didn’t answer. And that silence, that cruel silence, felt like confirmation.
“Tell me,” I whispered, chin lifting, “were you in on it too?”
He blinked, just once. His eyes flashed, dark and stormy. “No.”
But the damage was done. Because even if he hadn’t helped them… he hadn’t helped me.
And that kind of betrayal stung deeper than any lie.
+20 Bonus
Damien’s jaw clenched. I could see it–the fury tightening every line of his face. Not just anger at me, but at himself. In truth I’d spoken aloud.
“You think I would ever let someone do that to you?” he growled, stepping closer again.
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Because I wasn’t sure what I believed anymore.
And then, suddenly, he reached for me. His hand gripped my wrist, firm but not painful, his eyes blazing.
He looked like he wanted to shake me. Or kiss me. Or both
“You don’t get to say things like that and just walk away,” he muttered. “Not when you still-
My phone rang, shrill and piercing, breaking the moment. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
