LOGINChapter 033FEARCELESTE I knew Troy was crazy, that every moment I spent with him was a crazy risk, but I still stood there, frozen and melting into his warm embrace as he kissed me in the rain.He wasn't the only crazy one. I was crazy too.I was the one who had planned to run away a few moments ago, but there I was, helpless and completely swept off my feet.The feeling of his lips against mine as he gently kissed me made my feet tingle. My fists clenched, confused about where to rest my hands.His arms were wrapped tightly around my body, and mine was pressed against his. Every moral argument I'd made to myself seemed to disappear with that kiss.But then I woke up. I woke up to the reality staring right into my face."Please stop!"I pushed him away with every bit of strength I had left, and he didn't force me to stay."I'm sorry... I lost it for a second." He apologized immediately, looking away from me.For a moment, neither of us spoke.He looked as though he wanted to say so
Chapter 032WHY SHOULD I RUN?I stepped out of the taxi and stood in front of the restaurant Vivienne had sent me to.It felt like I'd been holding my breath the entire time, so I let out a loud exhale.I walked into the restaurant and found her sitting at the very end.For some reason, there was no one else in the space, and I could tell it wasn't natural."You're late," she said, as if it were the most casual thing to say in that situation."I couldn't find a taxi," I lied, hiding the fact that I was scared of facing her again."Sit," she ordered, but the thought of sitting with someone whose plan was to ruin me seemed gut-wrenching."I think I'll remain standing.""Suit yourself." She smirked, the corners of her lips curving cunningly."Why am I here?"She pulled out a brown envelope and tossed it at my feet."Open it."I glared at her, but she only smiled harder. I knew my pride meant nothing at that moment.I picked it up and pulled out the papers inside.They contained transacti
Chapter 031THE VIDEOCELESTE The video.Vivienne did one thing right: picking the worst weapon to use against me.It was a video of Alan assaulting me, compiled with a lot of personal recordings of me being assaulted.I didn't cry. I couldn't.It felt like my tears had dried up completely, like I was tired of shedding tears when I was hurt.My entire body felt weak as I realized the pride I fought to keep intact had come out in the open.Pity? No one would pity me, they would simply judge me."Celeste, are you okay?" Bob shook me when she saw how frozen I was, and I could only meet her eyes while trying to process everything."Yes, I-"My phone beeped.Another notification I was scared to check, but I did anyway."I don't feel good yet, so wait till I tell the world about your junkie parents."Another text from Vivienne.The tears came rolling down faster than I thought they would, and I immediately tried calling her number, but she kept rejecting the call."Don't you f*cking dare!"
Chapter 030PROFESSIONALSCELESTE"Let's be professional, Mrs. Celeste."His voice grew colder with each passing second, but the tears wouldn't stop flowing."Celeste! What's wrong?" Bob rushed toward me when she saw me walk out of his office, breaking down in tears.I tried to wipe my tears and be strong, but the harder I tried, the more the tears betrayed me.*** • *** • *** • ∆ • *** • *** • ***Troy Anderson hurt me.I didn't realize how much his coldness would break me.I didn't realize how much my wish would hurt me."I'll be right there, sir." Bob finished talking on the telephone and stood up to arrange some files."What are you doing? It's my job to deliver them, right?" I tried to take them from her, but she pressed them to her chest and smiled gently.As if she could see how anxious I was, how much I really wanted to see him again, even after what he did."He doesn't want you in his office from now on."As soon as those words landed, my hands fel
Chapter 029THOSE COLD EYESCELESTEI slammed the door in his face and lay on my back while staring directly at the ceiling.I realized I was crazy because even at that crucial moment, I still thought about him.What if I hadn't met Troy?What if he hadn't walked up to me that night and asked for a dance? What if he hadn't seen my bruises, or what if he had chosen to ignore me when I asked for help?Would I have realized how much I needed freedom?He did me a favor, but at the same time, I couldn't help but wish I shouldn't have gotten involved with him in the first place.Vivienne.She was the only mole that seemed hard to destroy.I could simply avoid Troy, but I doubted she would sit back after what transpired at the hospital."Celeste, are you out of your god-damned mind?" I mumbled to myself, kicking my feet in the air as though it could lessen the weight of my actions.The Vivienne I heard about would definitely kick me out of the company.*** • *** • *** • ∆ •
Chapter 028I'VE HAD ENOUGH CELESTE My hands trembled in my lap.He really passed out.I couldn't breathe until the ER door glided open."We stopped the minimal bleeding, and he should be awake in an hour."The doctor said, and I sighed heavily."Thank goodness," I mumbled under my breath, but as I turned to the hallway, a group of five came towards me, and just in front of them was Vivienne."Where's Troy?""He's fine, he just needs—"A slap tore across my face before I could process anything, and hot tears ran down my face.I held my cheek while staring directly at my feet."This is the whore I was talking about, Mother. She's the one ruining everything!" Vivienne yelled in the hallway, and the people behind her started to murmur.I bit my lower lip, forcing my emotions back."I've had enough," I murmured, my head still hanging."What did you just say?" She tried hitting me again, but I held her hand."I said I've had enough of your bullsh*t!" I yelled into her face.My hair clung







