The fear was still there, a cold knot in the pit of her stomach, but it was no longer paralyzing. It had been replaced by a hardened, chilling resolve. The attempted assassination in her hospital room had made one thing brutally clear: she couldn't rely on anyone for her safety. The police, the FBI, even Julian—they were all a step behind Elias. His reach was too long, his methods too cruel.She was going to need to take the matter into her own hands. She wasn't going to wait to be discharged. She ripped the IV from her arm, ignoring the sting of the needle and the fresh blood welling up. When a nurse rushed in, Celeste was already on her feet, pulling on the hospital gown over her bruised body. She firmly informed the staff that she was leaving against medical advice, signing the necessary forms with a steady hand.She didn't have her phone, so her first stop was a payphone outside the hospital. She had to hope her old contact numbers still worked. She put in a call to Dom, using a s

Última atualização : 2025-08-27

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Celeste stepped into the warm, fragrant apartment, the scent of a simmering marinara sauce filling the air. Nate quickly tapped a message out on his phone, then placed it face-down on the kitchen island. He had been getting ready for a date, and the smell of the delicious food, the lit candles, and the table set for two twisted a knot of guilt in her stomach.He turned his full attention to her, his gaze sweeping over her bruised face, his eyes sad, his posture radiating a mix of anger and concern."It's not as bad as it looks," she said, the lie feeling hollow as it left her lips.Nate shook his head. "I don't think that's true, Celeste," he said, his voice gentle. "But I'm not going to force you to tell me anything you don't want to."Celeste nodded, a small wave of gratitude washing over her. There was so much she didn't want to tell him, even more that she didn't know the answers to, but if she was possibly putting him in danger just by being here, he deserved to know. He had to b

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Nate returned with a stack of fresh towels and some of his own clothes—a pair of soft gray sweatpants and a worn-out t-shirt. He set them on the edge of the bed and gestured to the adjoining bathroom. "The shower's all yours. Take your time."He then offered her his bed, a gesture that was both simple and profound. Celeste looked at him and said, "You can stay in here, Nate. We've shared a bed before."He shook his head gently. "I know. But I'll take the couch tonight. You need as much space as you can get to heal." His words were soft but firm, and she knew he was talking about more than just her physical injuries.They agreed to table everything else for the night. The confessions, the questions, the danger—all of it could wait until morning. They would figure out a game plan then. As Nate turned to leave, Celeste said one last time, "Nate, this could be dangerous for you."He only nodded, a quiet understanding in his eyes. "I know," he said, and left her to sleep.Celeste sank into

Última atualização : 2025-08-29

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The next morning, Celeste woke in Nate’s bed, feeling more rested than she had in years. She didn’t have nightmares, didn't stir at any sound, but slept deeply, completely. The soft morning light filtered through the blinds, casting stripes of warmth across the bed. The quiet was a profound comfort, a stark contrast to the relentless chaos of the past few days.The bathroom door creaked open quietly behind her and Nate tiptoed out, his hair still wet from his morning shower. He froze for a moment, his gaze immediately going to the bed."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he whispered, his eyes filled with a tired concern she was still unaccustomed to."You didn't," she said, a genuine smile touching her lips. "I was already up.""Coffee?" he asked, a small, hopeful note in his voice. She nodded and he disappeared into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a steaming mug that smelled of rich, dark roast. He sat on the edge of the bed as she pushed herself up and settled agains

Última atualização : 2025-08-31

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Todos os capítulos de The Seduction Clause: Capítulo 41 - Capítulo 44

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43

44