CHAPTER 36
Celeste’s POV
The sudden ring of my phone cut through the air, sharp and jarring, snapping me out of the moment.
I startled, instinctively reaching into my clutch. Damien’s grip loosened, just enough for me to step back.
The screen flashed with the hospital’s number. My breath caught in my throat.
I answered quickly. “Hello?”
“Miss Monroe?” The nurse’s voice was calm but clipped. “It’s your aunt. Her condition has suddenly worsened. The doctor would
like you to come in immediately.”
I didn’t even hesitate. “I’m on my way. ”
I turned, already walking. Damien called my name, but I didn’t look back.
My heels clicked sharply against the marble steps, heart racing–not from what had just happened with Damien, but from the
news that clutched at my chest like a vice.
Oh, Auntie Eleanor. Please be okay. Please, please.
I reached the curb and pulled out my phone again, opening a ride app. Nothing. All the cars were either booked or delayed. I
turned to one of the event staff, breathless. “Is there a taxi nearby?”
He shook his head apologetically. “I’m afraid not, miss. There’s a city event nearby–everything’s jammed.”
I swallowed hard. I could feel the panic starting to creep in..
I scanned the area, my pulse thudding faster with every second lost. I needed help fast, and the first person I thought of was Theo. I turned, ready to find him.
I hurried inside again, and that was when I saw him several steps away, engaged in low conversation with a sharply dressed older man whose posture practically screamed influence.
I started toward them, but before I could get close, someone stepped into my path.
A man in a crisp suit–clearly not Theo’s staff, but the assistant of the stranger he was speaking with–blocked me with a professional but firm stance.
“Miss Monroe,” he said, his voice brisk, his tone laced with unshakable protocol. “I’m going to have to ask you to wait. This conversation is highly confidential. Interruptions are not permitted at this time.”
My heart pounded in my ears. I can’t spare any more time. I have to get to the hospital now, or it might be too late. My Auntie needs me.
Without another word, I turned on my heel and pushed through the crowd.
+20 Bonus
I pulled my dress up slightly and started walking. The gala had been held at one of those lavish estates on the edge of the city- beautiful, yes. But isolated. Taxis were nowhere to be found.
The longer I walked, the more frantic I became. Every delay felt like another moment stolen from Auntie’s time.
Suddenly, my heel caught on a crack in the pavement. My ankle twisted, and I stumbled forward, falling hard onto the rough
asphalt.
Pain flared through my palm and knee, making me cry out in pain. But I quickly forced myself up and slowly put pressure, brushing dust from my scraped skin..
Good. There seems to be nothing broken. Only my dress was torn at the hem.
That’s when I heard it–a sharp car horn behind me. Headlights sliced through the dark.
I turned, breath hitching in my throat. It’s Damien’s car!
He rolled down the window, his voice tight. “Get in.”
I hesitated, chest rising and falling rapidly. “Celeste–just get in,” he said again, sharper this time.
With no other option, I limped toward the car and climbed into the passenger seat.
“I need to go to the hospital,” I said at once, barely getting the words out.
He didn’t ask questions. Just nodded and pressed down on the gas.
The silence between us wasn’t empty. It was loaded, pulsing with things we didn’t know how to say.
Then my phone vibrated. Theo.
I looked at the screen but didn’t answer.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Damien glance over. His jaw slightly relaxed. Perhaps he’d seen Theo’s name flashing on the screen and was happy I hadn’t answered it.
But he didn’t say anything an emergency,” he
at first. But after a moment, he cleared his throat. “You should’ve told me you! said, eyes fixed on the road. “You didn’t have to run like that.”
I didn’t respond.
“There’s a first aid kit in the glove compartment,” he added.
I frowned. “What?”
He nodded toward it. “You’re bleeding.”
Only then did I glance down and see the smear of red on my leg, the sting in my palm. I hadn’t noticed.
+20 Bonus
Still, I didn’t reach for the kit. “I’ll be fine,” I muttered.
He exhaled. “Celeste. If you refuse to bandage, I will have to stop the car and help you.
“What?” My eyes widened, “I didn’t want to joke with you.”
He began slowing down and was about to park by the curb, but I stopped him. “Okay, okay,” I said “Geez!”
I hesitated.
Something in his gaze–unfiltered concern, maybe even regret–made my chest tighten. Then, I reached slowly for the kit. And from the corner of my eye, I could see his lips turning up into what looked like a faint smile.
After a few minutes, when we finally pulled up at the hospital entrance, I didn’t wait for the car to fully stop. The moment it jolted. forward, I threw open the door and ran.
A doctor was already waiting just outside the hospital entrance.
“Miss Monroe?” he asked.
“Yes.” I rushed to his side, breathless..
“We’ve done all we can, but your aunt–Ms. Fleanor–took a turn for the worse about thirty minutes ago,” he said as we walked quickly down the corridor. “Her oxygen levels dropped sharply. The damage from the smoke inhalation during the orphanage fire is far more severe than we initially thought. There’s swelling in the lungs, and she’s also developed a fever. We’re closely monitoring her in the ICU, but the next twelve hours are critical.”
Each word struck like a blow, I could feel myself beginning to fall as everything swirled in my head and pressed in from all sides, crushing the air from my lungs.
The doctor added, “If she doesn’t regain consciousness soon, resuscitations like this one will become more frequent. And each one… will take more from her.”
No, no, no.
Just as I leaned back against the cold wall, trying to catch my breath, a hand suddenly closed around my wrist.
I turned–Damien.
He stood there, eyes locked on mine, his expression rigid with shock and confusion. Like the pieces were starting to fall into place, but he didn’t want to believe them.
“Celeste,” he said, his voice low and grim. “Who was hurt… and what fire are you talking about?”
