Chapter 174

Adrien's POV:

I nearly choked at the passive aggression wrapped in pleasantries.

Celeste tilted her head slightly. “Kieran was happy to see me,” she said casually, her gaze flicking between the two of us. “He said he missed our conversations.”

Sera gave a polite laugh. “That’s odd. He doesn’t usually remember people he is not close to.”

I tried not to smirk, but failed.

Celeste’s jaw tightened for the briefest second. “Well,” she said smoothly, “it seems he remembers me just fine.”

Silence followed her words, thick with something unspoken.

“I am glad he is recovering,” Sera said finally, voice softening. “He means the world to a lot of people.”

“And some more than others, I am sure,” Celeste said, her eyes locked on mine now, all false pleasantries stripped away. “Which makes it all the more important to protect him… don’t you think?”

"You don't have to be worried about his safety. I can protect him just fine."

The smile that curved her lips was subtle. “Good. I am glad we