Celeste’s POVI was already exhausted before Damien ever stepped into Crown Luxe that afternoon.The week had been one long, continuous ache, Vivian, Molly, Grace, Ryan, choices stacked on top of choices until my chest felt permanently tight. I had buried myself in work, letting numbers and designs and meetings blur together because at least they followed rules. At least they didn’t ask me to feel.So when Rachel knocked lightly and said, “Damien Kent is here to see you,” my first instinct was to laugh. A sharp, humorless sound that startled even me.Of course he was.“Send him in,” I said, smoothing my blazer as if it mattered.Damien walked in looking… composed. Too composed. The polished version of him, the one that wore regret like a tailored suit and accountability like a carefully chosen accessory. He no longer filled the room the way he used to, but his presence still pressed against old bruises.“Well,” I said before he could speak, leaning back against my desk. “Let me guess.
Last Updated : 2026-01-08 Read more