Semua Bab The Deal in a Wedding Dress: Bab 31 - Bab 40

CelesteIt was day three of Killian's trip, and I'd become pathetic.I knew checking my phone obsessively was self-destructive. I knew scrolling through social media looking for mentions of him was only hurting myself. But I couldn't stop. Every notification made my heart jump, hoping it might be him.It never was.Then Sarah sent me a text: "Ces, I'm so sorry you have to see this, but it's everywhere. Call me."There was a link attached.My hands shook as I clicked it, dread already pooling in my stomach like ice water.The article loaded. Business Insider. A major publication.The headline made my breath stop: "Hart-Chase Merger: Business or Pleasure?"Photos filled the screen. Killian and Evelyn at various Singapore locations. Exiting a glass office building together, both in sharp business suits. Laughing at dinner in what looked like an expensive restaurant, candlelight between them. In a hotel lobby late at night, her hand on his arm as they waited for the elevator.But it was t

CelesteI should have gone two months ago.The dizziness had been getting worse—yesterday, after confronting Nora and hearing Evelyn's voice through that speaker, the room had spun so badly I'd had to grip the desk to stay upright. I'd blamed it on stress, on lack of sleep, on everything except what I knew it really was.But I couldn't avoid it anymore.The drive to St. Catherine's felt longer than usual, even though I'd made this trip dozens of times before. I parked in my usual spot—the one under the tree that gave shade in summer—and sat there for a moment, staring at the building.Just routine, I told myself. Just getting your prescription renewed. In and out.The hospital smelled the same as always—antiseptic and artificial air freshener trying to mask sickness. I signed in at the front desk with practiced ease, smiled at the nurse who recognized me, and took my seat in the waiting area.My hands were steady as I filled out the forms. They'd done this so many times the motions we

CelesteI woke up at 5 AM with my stomach already rebelling.The nausea hit before I even opened my eyes—a rolling, insistent wave that had me stumbling out of bed and racing to the bathroom. I barely made it before I was retching, my body expelling what little I'd managed to eat yesterday.When it finally stopped, I sat on the cold tile floor, my forehead pressed against my knees, trying to catch my breath. Sweat beaded on my skin despite the bathroom's chill.The leukemia. It had to be. My body was failing faster than I'd expected.I thought about Dr. Chen's words. Stage 3. Harder to treat. Maybe I was already there. Maybe I'd crossed that threshold without realizing it, and this was what the beginning of the end looked like—waking up sick, too dizzy to stand, slowly losing the ability to pretend I was fine.I forced myself to stand, gripping the counter for support. My reflection in the mirror looked like death—pale, gaunt, dark circles so deep no amount of concealer could hide the

CelesteThe mansion felt colder than usual when we got back.Killian had been silent during the drive home. Not the angry silence from before. Something different. Heavier.He'd helped me out of the car without a word. His hand on my elbow was gentle, like I might break. Maybe I would."I can walk," I said.He didn't let go.Margaret was waiting at the door. Her eyes went wide when she saw me."Mrs. Hart, let me help you upstairs—""I've got her." Killian's voice was quiet but firm.He guided me up the stairs slowly. Each step felt like climbing a mountain. My legs were weak, my head still fuzzy. But I forced myself to walk. To prove I was fine.We reached my room. He opened the door and waited while I went inside."Rest," he said. Then he left.I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door. Then I collapsed onto the bed, still in my clothes from this morning. The jogging outfit that now smelled like hospital and fear.I closed my eyes.I woke to darkness.My phone said 9 PM.

CelesteThe nausea started quietly—just a twist in my stomach that came and went. I ignored it at first. I had good days and bad days; this was probably another bad one.But by the end of the week, it was impossible to ignore. The nausea hit hard every morning now, relentless and cruel. Some days, I couldn’t even make it out of bed before running for the bathroom.This morning was worse. The moment I sat up, the room spun. My stomach lurched, and I barely reached the toilet in time. I retched until my ribs ached, my hands shaking as I clung to the cold porcelain.When it was finally over, I sat on the floor, back against the wall, breathing hard. My throat burned, and tears stung my eyes.It’s fine, I told myself. It’s just part of it. It’s the leukemia.Except it didn’t feel like before. It wasn’t the same fatigue or side effect I’d learned to manage. This was sharper. Deeper. My body felt different in a way I couldn’t explain.I pressed a trembling hand to my stomach, immediately ha