Chapter 5

CELESTE’S POV

The silence between us stayed longer than expected after I lied through my teeth, telling my sister that what I had to say “didn’t matter anymore.”

It mattered. God, it mattered more than anything.

But I couldn’t bring myself to destroy the fragile joy in her eyes.

She was pregnant. And despite everything, she wanted me to be the first to know. That kind of trust… I didn’t deserve it.

Sophia looked at me, her head tilted slightly. “Where are you staying now, C? I'm sorry I haven't contacted you since the wedding.”

My eyes darted away as guilt bubbled under my skin. “I’m staying at Bethany’s penthouse. She offered, and I… I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

She nodded slowly, almost thoughtfully. “Okay.”

I stood up almost immediately. I couldn’t breathe in this house anymore. Her smiles were choking me, and the huge wedding photo frame was hanging adjacent to where I was seated. It felt like the walls were closing in.

“I should get going,” I said quickly. “I have to pick up groceries and some laundry from Sally’s. I told Beth I’d run errands.”

Sophia stood too. “Okay. Drive safe.”

I offered a tight smile, grabbed my keys, and fled.

I drove in silence. The air-conditioning was on full blast, but it did nothing to cool the raging war within me. I was thinking about the pregnancy test in my bathroom drawer. About Bruce’s nonstop calls. About Sophia’s baby. About his baby in my own womb.

I drove past Sally’s dry cleaning shop without even realizing it. I didn’t notice until I pulled up at Bethany’s building and reached into the backseat to grab… nothing.

I cursed under my breath.

“Damn it.” I climbed out of the car, slammed the door, and stormed toward the entrance. I was halfway to the front steps when I stopped short.

Groceries. Laundry. I forgot both.

Frustrated, I spun around abruptly… and slammed into something solid.

Or someone.

My head smacked against a firm chest and I staggered back slightly, ready to apologize… until I looked up.

Nathaniel.

Of course.

The rage came quick and hot.

“You?! What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped, shoving at his chest instinctively. I wasn’t even sure if it was to push him or just to keep my balance.

He stared at me. “Cool down, Celeste. I just wanted to talk.”

“I don’t want to talk to you,” I hissed, getting ready to punch him if need be. “How the hell did you even know where I live?”

He hesitated and then said too casually, “I know you’re best friends with Bethany.”

My breath caught.

He realized his mistake the second the words left his lips. I saw it. That split-second of panic in his usually calm face.

I stepped back, everything in my brain connecting like puzzle pieces crashing into place.

“You knew…” My voice cracked. “You knew who I was before the wedding, didn’t you?”

Nathaniel’s mouth parted, but nothing came out.

Oh my God.

“You knew who I was,” I whispered, trembling, “and you still had sex with me?” My voice rose with every word.

Still, he said nothing.

That silence shattered something inside me.

“You manipulative bastard!” I shouted, fists pounding against his chest as tears ran down my cheeks. “You let me believe it was a mistake—that we didn’t know. You knew! You used me!”

“Celeste—”

“Don’t!” I hit him again. “You’re disgusting! You—”

“Nath?”

The voice cut through my rage like a blade.

I froze.

My hands dropped from Nathaniel’s chest as I looked past his shoulder, and it was someone I don't know.

“What are you doing here?” The lady asked.

“Nothing, just dropping off something for her,” Nathaniel replied with a grin.

Then she pointed at me, “And who is the lady? I thought you'd be halfway to Fiji for your honeymoon now” she asked, her eyes peering suspiciously.

“Oh, she’s my cousin.” He lied.

“Alright.” She nodded her head. “Great to see Nate,” she said and left.

***

Nathaniel stared at me for a long moment before taking a few steps back while he lifted a hand in a lazy wave. “Goodbye, Celeste.”

I watched him leave… I wanted to scream. Instead, I turned and marched straight to the car, slamming the door harder than necessary.

My hands trembled on the steering wheel as I muttered to myself…

“Unemployment is a nicer hell than getting entangled with your sister’s husband.”

This time, I made it to Sally’s place without missing the turn. I picked up the groceries and laundry. I returned to Bethany’s penthouse, packed my bags in silence, and dropped the car key where I knew Sophia would see it.

Then I texted her:

‘Going back to where I came from. Don’t worry about me.’

I didn’t wait for a reply.

I stepped outside, dragging my suitcase behind me, and got into the waiting Uber. I kept my head down the whole time as the driver pulled onto the main road.

But fate wasn’t done screwing with me yet.

We’d barely driven ten minutes before a black SUV came screeching out of nowhere and cut in front of us.

“What the hell—!” the Uber driver shouted, slamming the brakes. Before he could react further, a man jumped out of the SUV, marched over, and slammed the butt of a gun against the driver’s temple.

I screamed.

The driver collapsed over the steering wheel, unconscious, blood trickling down his temple.

I scrambled to open the door, but they were already at my side.

“Let me go!” I shouted, kicking, thrashing, biting—anything I could do. “Help! Somebody help—!”

A cloth pressed hard against my nose.

I knew that smell. Chloroform.

“No—please—” My limbs went heavy. My voice slurred. The world tilted.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

***

I woke up to dim lights and freezing air. My head throbbed and my wrists ached.

I was on a mattress… on the floor. Cement walls. No windows. A small flickering bulb swayed above me.

“Hello?” I croaked. “Is anyone there? Help! Please!”

No answer.

Just silence.

Then… footsteps.

I pressed myself against the wall as a tall figure stepped into the faint light. I couldn't see his face clearly… just the sharp lines of his silhouette and the quiet menace in how he moved.

Then he spoke.

His voice was like gravel soaked in oil, deep. It was commanding and outright dangerous.

“I’m Alessandro Romano,” he said as if that name should mean something to me.

He took one step closer.

“And as from this very second, I own you, Celeste Marlowe.”

I froze.

My heart stopped… No, it didn't, you dummy…

He waited for a bit before adding like it was the final twist of the knife:

“And before you ask questions… your father sold you out.”

“My who?” I asked because I knew my father was murdered right in front of me.

“Your father,” He responded.

Oh shit…

Can my life get any worse?

“Oh yes, it can…” I muttered.