로그인Celine’s hands trembled as she folded a simple dress and tucked it into her small bag. The room was silent except for the faint sound of her steady breathing. She had to move quickly, quietly—any noise could draw unwanted attention.Her fingers brushed the edge of a framed photo on her nightstand. It was of her and her father, taken years ago, when life was simpler. She hesitated, the urge to pack it overwhelming.No, she told herself firmly, pulling her hand away. She couldn’t afford to be sentimental. Sentimentality would slow her down.Instead, she packed only the essentials: a change of clothes, a pair of sturdy shoes, and a small pouch of jewelry she could sell if necessary. The rest she left behind—memories, possessions, her entire life.When her bag was zipped, she stood still for a moment, her chest tight. Am I doing the right thing? The question lingered, but there was no time for doubt. Dimitri’s warning had been clear: she had to leave tonight.The palace was eerily quiet a
Caleb’s demeanor had shifted, and Celine could feel it. Over breakfast, he casually placed his coffee cup down and looked at her with an unreadable expression.“I’ve been thinking, Celine,” he began, his tone calm but laced with intent. “It’s time you distanced yourself from your father’s politics.”Celine froze mid-sip, her hand trembling slightly. “What do you mean?”Caleb leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. “Your father has too many enemies, and his position puts you in constant danger. If you’re no longer seen as part of his circle, you’ll be safer—and it’ll strengthen our independence as a couple.”Celine forced a smile, her stomach knotting. “You think distancing myself from my own father is the answer?”Caleb smiled faintly, though his eyes were sharp. “It’s the only logical move. I’ll handle everything else. You just need to trust me.”Celine nodded, though her heart raced. His push to separate her from her father wasn’t about safety—it was about control.The cha
Celine’s steps were slow as she walked into the grand sitting room where Caleb waited for her. His back was to her, his posture casual as he poured himself a glass of wine.“You’re back late,” Caleb said, his voice calm but carrying a sharp undertone. He didn’t turn to face her.“I… I couldn’t sleep,” Celine replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “I went for a walk in the gardens.”Caleb finally turned, his eyes locking onto hers. His smile was faint, his expression unreadable. “You’ve been restless lately, my love. Is there something you want to tell me?”“No,” she said quickly, her palms damp with sweat.Caleb set his glass down and took a step closer. His movements were slow, deliberate. “Trust is important, Celine. We’ve talked about this, haven’t we?”“Yes,” she murmured, her throat tightening.“And yet,” he continued, his tone soft but laced with menace, “I can’t help but feel you’ve been… keeping things from me. It makes me wonder—what else might you be hiding?”Celine force
The night air was heavy with tension as Celine slipped out of the palace, her heart pounding with every step. The streets were eerily quiet, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows. She pulled her hood tighter around her face, hoping to blend into the darkness. The message on her phone had been brief, but its urgency left her no choice.The meeting point was a secluded park on the edge of the city, a place where trees stood like silent sentinels. As she approached, her breath quickened. A hooded figure stood beneath an old oak tree, their posture rigid.“Who are you?” Celine demanded, stopping a few feet away. Her voice wavered, a mix of fear and determination.The figure turned slowly, pulling back his hood. Her breath caught in her throat.“Dimitri?” she whispered, her knees weakening.“It’s me, Celine,” he said, his voice low but steady. “I’m alive.”Her hand flew to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. “But… how? I saw the crash. I thought you were dead.”Dimitri step
The estate was quiet, bathed in the faint glow of the moonlight as Celine lay in bed, her thoughts restless. Every word, every subtle look Caleb and Linda had exchanged during dinner churned in her mind, leaving her uneasy.Suddenly, the faint murmur of a voice broke the silence.Celine sat up, straining her ears. It was Caleb, speaking on the phone in the study next door. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and padded toward the door, opening it just enough to hear his words.“…we need to accelerate the plan,” Caleb was saying, his tone low but firm. “I’m not risking any delays. Linda’s role needs to be secured. Without her, this falls apart.”Her heart pounded. What plan? she thought, gripping the doorframe.“I don’t care what it takes,” Caleb continued, his voice sharp now. “Make sure everything is ready.”The call ended abruptly, and Celine hurried back to her bed, her mind racing. Linda’s role? A plan falling apart? She clenched her fists beneath the covers. Caleb was hiding more tha
Celine stood frozen, her heart pounding as Linda’s sharp smile widened. The air between them felt charged, and every instinct told her to leave. But she couldn’t. Not yet.“What are you doing here, Linda?” Celine demanded, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions raging inside her.Linda took a slow sip of her tea before answering, her eyes glinting with amusement. “I could ask you the same thing,” she said lightly, setting the cup down. “But since you’re so curious… I’m helping Caleb with some sensitive matters. You know how demanding his work can be.”Celine’s jaw tightened. “Sensitive matters? That’s vague, even for you.”Linda shrugged, the picture of calm. “It’s not my place to share his business. You should ask Caleb yourself. I’m sure he’d be happy to explain.”Celine clenched her fists. Linda’s casual tone and infuriatingly calm demeanor only heightened her suspicion.As if summoned by the tension, Caleb appeared, his steps quick but unhurried.“Celine,” he called, h
Chelsey's tear-streaked face was a blur beside Caleb as they hurried through the hospital doors. Caleb’s heart pounded as he held his mother close, doing his best to calm himself down as a man."Mother, please, stay with me," Chelsey sobbed, clutching her mother's hand. "Don’t leave us."The bed wa
Zoey sat silently on the cold, unforgiving courthouse bench, her hands resting stiffly in her lap as her eyes remained locked on the thick stack of divorce papers laid out before her. The fluorescent lights above cast a harsh glow over everything, making the white pages look even more final, more r
“What?!” Both Chelsey and her mother exclaimed loudly in disbelief. The same Zoey they had looked down on, taunted, and treated like a nobody owned all they had?Chelsey stumbled back, her laugh dying in her throat. "You’re joking.""I wish I were," Lord Alcantara replied, his voice heavy.Her moth
"Caleb Alcantara, I need a word with you immediately," the governor’s voice boomed through the speakerphone, leaving no room for argument.Caleb frowned, gripping the edges of his desk. "What could possibly be so urgent?""It's about your upcoming marriage to Linda. Come to my office at once."Cale







