CHAPTER 23
Celeste’s POV
“Twice the Scandal? Former Mrs. Vaughn Exposed in Late–Night Rendezvous with Another Lover–Billionaire Ex Goes Berserk!”
The headline practically screamed at me from my phone screen, the bold, flashing text a cruel mockery of my already crumbling
reputation. My stomach twisted as I read the words again, each one feeling like a fresh slap across my face.
Another lover.
As if I’d been cycling through men like they were disposable.
It was everywhere! Every tabloid, every social media page, every gossip site. My name, my face, plastered across the internet like
a dirty secret the world couldn’t wait to tear apart.
“Celeste Monroe strikes again! After being exposed in a scandalous video, the disgraced Mrs. Vaughn is caught sneaking around
with another man! Who are her secret lovers?”
It wasn’t enough that the world had branded me a whore once before–now, they were determined to do it again.
And why?
Because of Damien Vaughn.
If he hadn’t drawn attention to himself–recklessly flaunting his wealth, causing a drunken spectacle–none of this would have
happened. His car was impossible to miss, the license plate practically a flashing neon sign pointing straight to me.
Now, I was once again the center of a media circus, my name dragged through the dirt, my life torn apart for the world’s
entertainment.
The article twisted everything, weaving a narrative where I was a woman who jumped from one affair to the next, a gold–digger who stole from my ex–husband’s company with the help of my lovers. They even had the audacity to bring up my past, throwing
the scandalous video in my face, making sure no one forgot just how “morally corrupt” I was.
And the worst part?
They were looking for him.
Theo.
His name wasn’t in the articles yet, but it was only a matter of time before the press dug deeper, before they uncovered everything. And when they did, when his name was tied to mine, they would rip him apart too.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my pulse hammering. No company would want to work with me now. The doors I had been struggling to pry open after my divorce were already slamming shut again. My name was tainted.
And I knew exactly who to blame.
1/3
+20 Bonus
Sighing, I leaned back on the couch and thought of calling Theo. He was the only one who could help me. He had the power to
make all of this disappear–one call, one order, and the tabloids would be crushed like insects under his heel. No more rumors. No more media vultures circling my name.
But no. I can’t drag him further into this. This is my mess.
Theo had worked too hard to build his empire. I wasn’t going to let them ruin his name because of me.
I exhaled sharply and focused on what I could control
I opened my laptop, scrolling through endless job listings–freelance work, part–time gigs, anything. But the moment my fingers hovered over the application forms, the same realization came crashing down on me.
No one wanted to work with me.
I had reached out to past clients–not a single response. Even projects I had been promised before this new scandal had
mysteriously “fallen through.”
The Vaughn name was a double–edged sword. The moment I lost its protection, I was nothing but a liability.
My nails dug into my palm as I continued searching, determined not to give up.
That was when I saw it. An upcoming charity gala.
An elite event, the kind that attracted CEOS, investors, high–profile clientele–the very people who would surely have a need for
my designs. If I went, I could reconnect, rebuild my reputation on my own terms.
I barely had time to dwell on it before my phone rang. To my surprise, it was Theo.
“Hi, Celeste! Did you hear about the charity gala?” Theo said smoothly, as if he’d read my mind or had been spying on me earlier. “It’s the perfect opportunity for you to turn things around.”
He didn’t mention the headlines, the vicious rumors spreading like wildfire. But I knew he’d seen them. He wasn’t here to offer
pity or dwell on the gossip. Instead, he spoke like it didn’t exist, like I still had the power to control my own narrative.
I exhaled, gripping my phone tighter. “Theo, I appreciate it, but I don’t need your help.”
His silence stretched for a moment. “Celeste-”
“I mean it,” I cut in. “Just let me handle this on my own.”
The words tasted like steel on my tongue. But deep down, I wasn’t sure if I was saying them for him or for myself.
The gossip was unbearable. Soon they’d sniff out the truth about Theo’s involvement. And the last thing I wanted was for my good friend–who had already done so much–to suffer because of me.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone,” Theo suddenly said, his voice quieter now.
“Don’t worry,” I lied, forcing a smile as if he could see it. “I’ll figure it out.”
+20 Bonus
Before he could say anything else, I ended the call
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I knew Theo would never turn his back on me, that he would respond to my every request if I asked. But he’d already gotten me out of the asylum, and that was more than enough.
Maybe he’s just feeling guilty about the whole thing, even though he didn’t do anything wrong. After all, we haven’t seen each other for such a long time. And then now, this.
I pulled my legs toward my chest and rested my chin on my knees, trying not to cry again. “Oh, Theo, you’re such a wonderful
friend,” I whispered. “But I can’t let you do this. And it may be too late to save me, anyway.”
I didn’t realize how long I’d been staring into space, thinking about all the chaos, until a sharp knock on my door startled me. My
breath hitched.
I hadn’t even moved before it swung open.
Theo stood there, his expression determined. But his next words shattered every wall I had tried to put up.
“I’m not leaving you again, Celeste.”
