Semua Bab A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Celeste’s POVThe reflection staring back at me in the mirror didn’t look like someone falling apart.No—she looked polished, collected. Ready for the world. But deep inside, I could feel it—the quiet flutter of nerves, the whisper of uncertainty that had followed me from the moment I zipped up the gown.This is it. My first real step back into the world.My fingers brushed down the fabric of the dress I had designed myself. Every stitch carried a piece of me—every pleat, every fold, a reminder that I had once belonged in this industry. That I had once been brilliant. That I could be brilliant again.I had sacrificed so much for Damien. And when it all came crashing down, there was nothing left of me but ashes.But ashes could be reborn.I wasn’t going to walk into that ballroom as Damien Vaughn’s ex-wife. I wasn’t going to be the scandalous woman in tabloid headlines or the poor soul people pitied.I was walking in as Celeste Monroe. Designer. Creator. Survivor.And tonight, I wasn

Damien’s POVI lifted my glass to my lips without tasting the champagne. The conversations around me blurred into a background hum of empty pleasantries.Fake laughter. Hollow compliments. Meaningless alliances sealed with overpriced wine.I hated this. But Genevieve thrived on it.She stood a few paces away, wearing a luxurious gown, greeting the crowd with her signature smile. Every word, every gesture calculated. Definitely charming. A perfect performance indeed. Meanwhile, I was just trying to keep my temper in check.Another executive approached, all handshakes and toothy grins. I nodded, murmured something polite, and checked my watch for the fifth time in ten minutes.And then it happened. I caught murmurs—words floating in low whispers:“Is that Theo Mercer?” “He brought someone?” “Wait… is that his girlfriend?” “I didn’t know he was seeing anyone…”My gut twisted before I even turned.Theo? A girlfriend?No. That wasn’t possible. I would’ve heard something. The man didn’t

Celeste’s POVI kept my expression calm, smoothing the fabric of my dress like I wasn’t clenching my teeth to keep my pulse in check. What the hell is he thinking, locking us both in here?“Impressive,” he suddenly said, voice low and sharp as glass, as he moved closer to me. “You managed to clear your name and even earned a round of applause. Bravo.”His sarcasm dripped like venom, but I refused to rise to it.“If you’re just here to make snide remarks,” I said coolly, not even bothering to look up, “the door is right there.”“Don’t talk to me like that.”His voice dropped, darker this time—more dangerous.I finally lifted my eyes to meet him. “What right do you have to meddle in my affairs, Damien? We’re already divorced.”That word—divorced—hit like a slap. I saw it in the flicker of pain that flashed across his features before he forced it back behind that familiar mask of cold detachment.“Divorced?” he echoed with a bitter laugh. “You think you can get rid of me that easily?”A

Celeste’s POVI stared at him hard.His eyes were narrowed, stormy—not accusing, but stunned. And in that moment, staring at the expression on his face, something inside me just snapped.I was done explaining. Done justifying. Let him sit with the truth. I was done carrying it alone.I shook off his hand, hard. “If you really want to know,” I said coldly, “ask the hospital records.”Damien looked like he wanted to say more, to push—but I turned away. I didn’t have the energy for another confrontation. Not now. My aunt’s condition was all I could think about, heavy and urgent in my chest. And honestly, I had nothing left to explain to a man who never believed in me when it counted.I turned on my heel, leaving Damien in the hallway without a second glance. Let him wrestle with his doubts—I had more important battles to face.The ICU doors slid open with a soft hiss, and I stepped inside. My auntie lay pale and motionless beneath the hospital blankets, her face barely visible behind th

Genevieve’s POVI whispered to the empty room, "You’ll regret walking away from me and wanting to send me away, Damien."The door clicked shut behind him, but the echo of his footsteps lingered like a slap to my face.I slammed my glass onto the table. The shatter echoed through the pristine apartment, shards of crystal flying across the floor."Damn it!" I choked out, gripping the edge of the counter to steady myself.All that work. All that effort. And for what?To watch Celeste Monroe crawl out of the ashes again? To watch Damien—the man I held onto for years—look at her like she was the only star in his sky?My hands trembled. Not from weakness, but from rage."Why?" I whispered, staring at my reflection in the glass. "Why does she always win?"We were both orphans. Both unwanted girls clawing our way through a cruel world.So why does she get to have the fairy tale?Even after I was chosen. Even after the Lancaster family claimed me, dressed me in silk and diamonds—Celeste still