บททั้งหมดของ The Billionaire's One-Night Baby: บทที่ 81 - บทที่ 90

Celeste The next morning, I woke earlier than usual. Amara was still fast asleep, her hair messy against the pillow. I moved quietly around the apartment, double-checking the bag she’d need later, until a knock sounded at the door. Nathan. He stepped inside with his usual easy smile, a thermos of coffee in one hand. “You’re really heading out this early?” “I need to,” I admitted, smoothing down my skirt. “There’s still a lot to finalize.” He glanced at Amara, then back at me. “Don’t worry. I’ve got her.” Relief loosened my chest. “Thanks, Nathan.” Only when I was sure Amara was safe with him did I grab my things and head for the venue. By the time I arrived, the staff were already moving briskly—arranging tables, testing sound equipment, polishing every surface until it gleamed. The hall looked different in daylight, less intimidating and more like a puzzle I had to solve. I walked the perimeter first, clipboard in hand, ticking things off one by one. Centerpieces—delivered a

Celeste The grand hall shimmered like something out of a magazine spread. Golden chandeliers spilled light over polished marble floors, each crystal catching and scattering brilliance across the room. Towering arrangements of fresh white roses framed the entryway, the soft fragrance mingling with the notes of the string quartet playing in the corner. Every detail—every flower, every place card, every glass of champagne that glinted on silver trays—I had pored over in the last few days. And now, standing here at the entrance beside Sebastian, it felt surreal to see it all alive. Guests in tuxedos and gowns moved with practiced grace, their laughter carrying easily over the music. These were not ordinary attendees—they were names that filled headlines, families that moved markets, people whose signatures could shift entire industries. And every single one of them seemed to have paused, if only for a second, to look at us. The weight of their stares pressed against my skin, and insti

Celeste The the lights across the hall dimmed slightly, drawing a hush from the crowd. The soft notes of the quartet faded, replaced by the clear, resonant voice of the master of ceremonies. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the MC announced, standing at the edge of the grand staircase, “thank you for gathering tonight in honor of a man whose vision, integrity, and legacy have shaped not only this family, but an entire empire. Please welcome—Mr. Theodore Williams!” A ripple of applause swept through the room as the spotlight shifted to the staircase. Theodore appeared at the top, straight-backed despite his age, his silver hair gleaming beneath the chandeliers. He carried himself with the kind of presence that demanded attention without needing to ask for it. Each step he descended was measured, deliberate, as though even time itself had to keep pace with him. Around me, guests leaned forward, whispering in reverence and anticipation. The name Williams carried weight—but the man himself, i

Celeste “Celeste?” His voice cut through me, steady but edged with worry. I froze, my breath catching, before slowly turning. Sebastian stood there, tall and unshaken as always, but his eyes… his eyes searched me like he already knew I was breaking. “I asked you something,” he said quietly, stepping closer. “Why are you leaving?” My pulse hammered in my ears. I forced my chin up, though my throat felt tight. “Because I refuse to stay where I’m nothing but a fool.” A shadow crossed his features. “What does that mean?” I laughed, sharp and brittle, though it hurt to even force it out. “Don’t you know? Or did you think I wouldn’t find out? Violet made sure everyone heard it. Your engagement.” His expression hardened, but not with denial. No flicker of surprise, no gasp of disbelief—just silence, weighted and suffocating. “That’s what this is?” I pressed, my voice trembling despite the fire in my chest. “You let me walk into this night blind, smiling like an idiot while they whisp

Celeste The moment I turned my back on him, I thought my legs would give out. Every step felt like walking on glass, sharp and deliberate, but I forced myself forward, chin high, refusing to let anyone see how close I was to crumbling. The ballroom lights blurred at the edges of my vision, laughter and chatter cutting into me like tiny knives. I caught fragments of whispers as I passed—too low to make out the words, but I knew. They were about me. They were always about me. I pushed through the sea of gowns and tuxedos until I reached the far doors. My fingers trembled as I wrapped them around the handle, the cool brass biting into my palm. For a split second, I hesitated. If I stepped out, if I left now, it would mean more than just walking away from Sebastian—it would mean admitting I didn’t belong here at all. That I never did. The thought nearly undid me. I slipped outside anyway. The night air rushed over me, sharp and cold, and I sucked in a breath as if I’d been drowning