CHAPTER 5

Celeste’s POV

"Help!"

The cry barely left my lips before one of the nurses ripped the phone from my grasp.

Pain exploded through my arm as she crushed her heel into my open wound. A strangled scream tore from my throat.

"Hello? Celeste, is that you? What’s happening?" Theo’s voice came through, sharp with concern.

But they didn’t let me respond. 

"Little bitch, you’re done for!" she hissed before cutting the call and shoving the phone into her pocket.

“No!” I shouted, ignoring the intense pain coming from my arm. 

Theo had heard me, right? He must know I’m in trouble!

"Lock her up!"

Before I could react, the nurse’s rough hands yanked me up, binding my wrists tightly.  She was eager to get back at me for tricking them. She bound me too tightly. The rope dug into my skin, biting like a promise of more suffering to come.

"Please, no—"

My plea was ignored.

I was dragged down the dim corridor, my bare feet scraping against the cold floor. Laughter rang in my ears. 

A door swung open, and I was shoved inside. It was dark, cramped and musty. Fortunately, I managed to turn on a light switch before falling back on the ground. 

This is a utility room, I thought, despair rising within me. How long do they intend to keep me here?

But despite my current situation, my thoughts rushed back to the orphanage. Had they put out the fire? How many were hurt? 

“Auntie Eleanor…” I whispered. “I’m sorry…” 

Guilt consumed me. Now I couldn’t even help them. I was trapped here. Powerless.

My only hope was the last person I’d called. Theo, don’t fail me, please, I silently begged. 

He once swore he’d always be there for me, that he’d never turn me away. I could only pray he meant it.

*****

Damien’s POV

The phone call had ruined my mood completely.

Yesterday, I had gone out drinking with a client, expecting nothing more than business and an easy escape from my thoughts. But I’d lost control.

In the end, I’d nearly drowned myself in alcohol—just to avoid thinking about that damn woman. My goddamn wife, Celeste. 

"You know what? Forget about her," a familiar female voice purred beside me. "Let’s just enjoy ourselves today." It was Genevieve.

What happened yesterday? Why was she beside me?

Genevieve stirred, blinking up at me with tired eyes before stretching like a cat. "You don't know how drunk you were. I brought you back from the bar. You were completely out of it."

Then smiling faintly, she added, “Remember when I brought you back drunk from a party before too, when I was still your secretary? Gosh, you were even trying to kiss me…”

“Not really, no,” I interrupted. “That was a long time ago.” I honestly had no interest in reminiscing about such memories. 

“Well, whatever! But it meant a lot to me.” 

My eyes narrowed a bit. But before I could change the subject, she beat me to it. 

"That phone call," she muttered. “I thought Celeste would take time to reflect on everything there, but clearly she still refuses to acknowledge her mistakes. I’m truly sorry, Damien. If only I’d never introduced her to you back then…”

She sighed, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the blanket as if weighing her next words.

"To be honest," she murmured, “I feel really bad, Damien. I mean… I grew up with her and she’s always been my closest friend at the orphanage.” A crease formed on her forehead. “I care about her, really. But what she did to you was just… I couldn’t take keeping it a secret any longer, you know?”

I let out a low breath. "Yeah, I should’ve known. She’s always been good at pretending. If I hadn't found the video on your computer, I would still be deceived by her." I muttered. 

Genevieve shifted, watching me carefully. "The fire she was talking about—it wasn’t even the orphanage we grew up in."

I stilled. "What?"

She nodded. "It’s a completely different place. She lied, Damien. Again."

I found my chest constricting as the truth bit me. Of course. Of course she’d lied about it. 

On the surface, Celeste seemed so innocent. But perhaps she had always been manipulating, calculating. And now that her schemes had finally backfired, she was desperate to claw her way out.

I scoffed. "I should’ve known better than to waste a second thinking about her."

Genevieve gave me a sympathetic smile before tilting her head. "So… what do you plan to do about her?"

She leaned forward slightly as she spoke, the movement causing her silk dress to slip just enough to reveal the curve of her cleavage.

I turned away instantly. 

"I have no reason to care what happens to her anymore."

I glanced toward my desk, where Celeste’s fake medical diagnosis certificate rested inside a locked drawer—the one that Genevieve had produced and shown to the mental institution where we’d taken Celeste. 

I owed Genevieve for that. If not for her quick thinking and her connection with that private facility, Celeste would now be rotting in a prison cell for intentional injury. 

In spite of what she’d done to me, I didn’t want that for her. 

Although our marriage had begun as an obligation, I couldn’t ignore her smile and the way she cared for me. 

Just as I found myself on the verge of falling for her, that damn video surfaced, followed by Genevieve’s confession.

A cruel, perfect timing.

"And the divorce…" Genevieve’s hesitant voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I exhaled sharply. "The priority right now is finding the bastard she slept with."

I had no desire to discuss the divorce—even if I had been the one to propose it. Because the truth was, the thought of it hurt more than I was willing to admit.

"I’m still investigating the man," I muttered, dragging a hand down my face.

Genevieve, who had been lazily twirling a strand of hair around her finger, stiffened slightly. "That’s bad news. But I think maybe it doesn't matter. The betrayal does."

I narrowed my eyes, wondering why she seemed nervous when I mentioned the investigation. 

However, before I could say anything, my phone buzzed. 

Theo Mercer? What the hell does he want?

He’d been a thorn in my side since the moment I stepped into the business world.

A billionaire in his own right, Theo wasn’t just a rival. He was a powerhouse. Ruthless and just as influential as me, he built his empire from the ground up, securing his place among the most powerful figures in the industry.

Every major deal, every high-stakes contract—I had to fight him for it.

“What do you want?” I demanded.

“I’m calling about Celeste. What the hell’s going on? What have you done to her?!” Theo’s voice was filled with anger.

I was immediately pissed off. How dare he call me out of nowhere and demand answers about how I treated my wife?

He had no idea what had happened. No right to question me.

And what did it matter to him, anyway?!

“What are you talking about?” I replied with the same angry tone. “I didn’t do anything!”

“She’s in danger!”

When his roar rushed into my ears, I felt my heart skip a beat for a few seconds.

I shouldn't care about Celeste anymore. 

But why do I feel an overwhelming pain in my heart?