CHAPTER 10
Celeste’s POV
“It’s none of your business.”
The words flew out of my mouth, sharp and unfiltered, as I yanked my wrist free from his grasp
Damien’s eyes darkened, his fingers twitching slightly, as if resisting the urge to reach for me again. He was momentarily taken
aback, just standing there without moving. It was hard to read the expression on his face.
He was obviously shocked. Perhaps because he never expected me to fight back like this.
Well, it didn’t matter. I simply didn’t care anymore.
I turned on my heel and stepped into the hospital, leaving him behind without a second glance.
I could feel it–his presence lingering like a ghost, his stare burning into my back.
But I didn’t look back. Although I appeared indifferent on the surface, the turmoil within me was far more intense.
I let out a slow breath, willing my heart to calm down, to stop feeling anything for him. This was necessary, after all.
I had spent too long chasing after Damien Vaughn, too long drowning in love for a man who had never once tried to save me.
Yes, I hated him. But that didn’t mean my love had disappeared completely. And that was the cruelest part of all.
Love had once made me weak. But now?
Now, it would make me dangerous.
I straightened my back, squared my shoulders, and walked forward.
Damien Vaughn is my past, I repeated to myself, as if it would solidify that truth. I will never let him break me again.
As I walked over to the nurse’s station, I felt Theo’s comforting presence beside me. A quiet reassurance.
For a fleeting moment, memories from years ago surfaced–the times he had been my anchor, the quiet protector who never asked for anything in return. He had always made me feel safe.
And even now, after everything, he still did. He was still that kind of friend.
As we walked through the hospital corridors, his palm grazed the small of my back–a brief touch, barely more than a whisper against my skin.
I stiffened. It wasn’t that the gesture was inappropriate–far from it. It was protective, familiar. But it’s been years since we’d last been this close. Back then, his touch had been casual, effortless, a sign of the easy bond we shared. Now, it felt different.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus. I was being ridiculous. It was just a fleeting touch, nothing more.
+20 Bonus
Theo’s hand dropped away just as we reached the nurse’s station, making me breathe a little easier. He spoke first. “We’re here
for Eleanor Whitmore. Where is she?”
The nurse scanned the patient records before nodding. “She’s in Room 317. Follow me.”
When we reached the door, Theo paused. His presence remained steady, but this time, it was hesitant.
“I’ll wait outside,” he said.
I turned to him, surprised. “You don’t have to-
“This is your moment, Celeste.” His voice was gentle, but firm. “Go.”
I nodded, giving him a faint smile. “Okay. Thanks so much… for everything.
!!
I stepped into the room, my heart pounding. Auntie lay still, her face peaceful, almost as if she were merely sleeping
My breath faltered, and for a moment, I feared the worst–until a soft beeping from the monitors reminded me that she was still
here.
The doctor stood by her bedside, clipboard in hand. “Her condition has stabilized,” he informed me. “But she needs you.”
av from n
It felt like an invisible burden had been peeled away
I moved closer, reaching for her frail hand, my fingers trembling as I brushed against hers. She was warm. Alive.
Tears welled in my eyes. I hadn’t lost her.
“She suffered severe smoke inhalation and some burns, but we’ve managed to stabilize her breathing,” the doctor continued, his voice gentler now. “There’s still a long road ahead–her lungs are weak, and the damage from the fire will take time to heal. But she’s fighting.” His gaze met mine. “Having you here will help.”
I nodded quietly. “Thank you,” I managed to whisper.
The doctor cleared his throat and handed me a small plastic bag. “These are her personal belongings.”
I took it, staring at the worn purse, a phone and a few other items inside. They smelled like home–like the orphanage, like my
childhood.
But the relief was short–lived.
“There’s something else,” the doctor hesitated. “The hospital bills. They’ve accumulated significantly… she owes quite a sum for
her treatment.”
My stomach twisted. Of course.
I nodded numbly. “I’ll handle it.”
We talked a little bit more before I bent forward to give Auntie a kiss on the forehead. “Get well, Auntie,” I whispered. “It’s me, Celeste. I’m here for you always, remember that.”
714
When it was time for me to go, I left the room with a dull ache forming behind my eyes.
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The hunger I had been pushing aside for days, forcing myself to ignore, finally caught up with me. A dull ache spread through my stomach, but it was the lightheadedness that truly hit me.
Theo, ever observant, noticed immediately. His eyes flickered toward me, his brows drawing together in concern. His lips parted, a slow exhale escaping as he studied me.
“You need to eat,” he murmured, his voice lower now, edged with quiet authority.
A shiver
r ran down my spine, It wasn’t a request.
And besides, there was no point in arguing. I didn’t have the energy for it.
I sighed, nodding wealdy. “Fine”
Theo didn’t just step aside for me to follow. He moved closer, his hand finding the small of my back, fingers brushing deliberately as he guided me forward.
Slow. Certain. A silent claim.
My heart stuttered as Theo’s hand skimmed the small of my back, his touch lingering just long enough to make me aware of the heat radiating off him. There was an effortless confidence in the way he moved, guiding me toward the cafeteria, his presence. both grounding and intoxicating. His quiet strength wasn’t just a reminder that I wasn’t alone–it was a temptation to let myself lean into him, to take comfort in his unwavering support.
And for once, I did
Especially now, when exhaustion gnawed at my limbs and the past few days of starvation had left me weak.
Theo must have noticed. His steps slowed, his sharp gaze sweeping over me with an intensity that sent a ripple of awareness through my body. Without a word, he reached for my wrist, his fingers firm yet careful as he led me toward an empty chair.
“Sit,” he ordered, his voice gentler than his touch but no less commanding. “I’ll get the food.”
I parted my lips to protest, but one pointed look from him shut me up. Swallowing my pride, I sank into the chair, my body betraying me with how much it welcomed the relief.
After a minute or so, I was just beginning to relax when a shadow loomed above me.
My body tensed and I immediately looked up.
Damien!
I forced myself to meet his gaze.
His eyes flickered over me, scanning every inch of my face. His brows furrowed, and before I could react, he stepped closer, fingers brushing against my check.
+20 Banus
“You’ve lost so much weight,” he muttered, almost to himself.
The touch was unexpected. Instinctively, I flinched, pulling away before he could make full contact.
The way his fingers grazed my skin sent an unwelcome shudder through me, a sickening echo of the way the nurse had gripped
my neck while forcing those bitter pills down my throat.
That pain seemed to have carved itself into my body, a memory I couldn’t erase.
But Damien didn’t see it. He didn’t understand. Instead, his expression changed into one of disbelief and irritation. Perhaps even
something more..
His jaw clenched, his posture stiffening. I could tell that anger was brewing within him, and it flashed right through his eyes.
“You need to go back, Celeste,” he suddenly demanded in a sharp tone.
I let out a bitter laugh. “Back where? To that prison you locked me in?
“Celeste.” His voice was firmer this time. “You don’t understand=”
“No, Damien.” My tone was sharp, my frustration bubbling over. “You don’t understand. You have no right to send me back
there. You are no longer my family!”
I squared my shoulders, bracing myself for what I was about to say next.
“You’ve already filed for divorce, right?”
The words hung between us, heavy, irreversible.
I held his gaze, refusing to waver. And I did not wait for him to answer anymore.
“Go ahead,” I said, my voice steady. “I agree to the divorce.”
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