"Please, I didn't betray you! I gave up everything for you. Don't I deserve your trust?" Celeste fell to her knees, pleading with her husband, Damien. "My trust? Hah, that's not something I'd give to a filthy slut," Damien said coldly, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. ****** Celeste's world shattered on their wedding anniversary. The man she loved and her dearest friend had conspired against her. They betrayed her, framed her, and humiliated her without mercy. But the worst part? They even locked her away in a mental institution, stripping her of her freedom. What could Celeste do to fight back? She had only one choice—ruthless revenge. "If they dare to betray me, they must face the full force of my wrath!" When Celeste finally let go of love, however,Damien suddenly changed. He pulled Celeste into a firm embrace "I've been searching for you so long. Please, forgive me and love me again!" But Celeste merely gazed at him, her voice devoid of emotion. "That is not something I give to you, my ex-husband."
View MoreCeleste’s POV
"Thank you all for coming to our wedding anniversary, but as of tonight, my marriage to Celeste is over. ”
Those were the first words my husband, Damien, uttered the moment he stepped into the room.
I looked at him, feeling like I had never known him before.
Then came the second blow.
“I am divorcing her.”
There was dead silence.
No, my mind screamed. This is not real.
It can’t be.
My heart pounded violently against my ribs as I forced my lips to part. But no words came out.
Today was supposed to be a celebration of our love…
How could Damien do this to me?!
*******
JUST MINUTES AGO
I stood before the mirror, smoothing down the shimmering fabric of my gown in the holding room.
I was filled with a foolish hope.
Perhaps tonight, my husband would finally learn to appreciate me, to care for me. After all, we’ve been together for two years.
I had planned every detail of the evening, ensuring that this wedding anniversary banquet would be nothing short of perfection.
But the one person who should have been by my side—my husband—was nowhere to be found.
I sighed, staring at my own reflection.
He doesn’t love me. He never did.
Sadly, to him, our marriage was no more than an obligation. And every day of our married life, he made me feel it. That he’d just been forced into this union and I was nothing to him.
I shook the thoughts away just as the door opened.
“Celeste Vaughn, my favorite friend in the world.”
Genevieve Hale stepped inside, her perfume wafting through the air.
She was draped in a classy designer gown, every inch of her exuding wealth and refinement. Such a stark contrast to the way we had grown up—two orphan girls trapped in poverty then, clinging to dreams of a better future.
"You look... lovely," she said with a smile. I couldn’t help but notice, though, that there was something detached about the compliment, as if it cost her to say it.
“You too,” I responded in a friendly manner, pretending not to recognize her bothered and unhappy.
“I heard about your parents,” I said cautiously. “You’ve found them?”
She nodded stiffly. “Yes.”
Her expression tightened, and seemed to refuse to express more about reuniting with the family.
That’s weird.
However, my phone vibrated on the vanity table before I could question her further.
I reached for it and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the sender’s name.
Auntie Eleanor. The director of the orphanage.
My fingers trembled as I unlocked the screen and read the message:
[Celeste, I have news about your parents. Come by when you have time:)]
For a moment, everything else faded away. My heart soared with hope.
“I see you’re still in touch with those people,” a sharp, condescending tone made me look up. It was my mother-in-law, Isadora Vaughn, looking over my shoulder with disdain. I didn’t even notice her sneaking up behind me.
“I was just—”
Isadora exhaled sharply. “Even after marrying into this family, you insist on clinging to the filth of your past. You little useless orphan.” she muttered with disgust.
I held back my tears, not daring to argue.
The door suddenly creaked open, making me turn toward the sound. It was Damien.
“Damien, you’re here,” I whispered with relief.
He stood at the front of the room, looking every bit the powerful CEO that he was—the man I had adored, married, and spent years trying to please.
But I’ve never seen him like this. His eyes were colder and darker than ever. And his face… It was rigid, emotionless. It made me shudder.
Before I could say anything else, he suddenly turned and walked away.
"Wait, Damien..." I reached out instinctively.
But he ignored me, going into the party with seeming purpose, his quick strides carrying him past the excited guests.
I followed behind him, wondering what was going on.
Something’s terribly, terribly wrong.
Damien reached the center of the room, where a beautifully designed stage had been set. He took the microphone from the announcer and turned to face the gathered crowd.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears as he began to speak.
What is he doing?!
"Thank you all for coming to our wedding anniversary, but as of tonight, my marriage to Celeste is over. I am divorcing her."
Whispers and gasps erupted like wildfire.
Guests exchanged stunned glances. Some looked at me in shock, but most of their faces reflected abhorrence.
My body went numb. I stared at him, frozen in place, unable to comprehend what I had just heard.
This is not happening.
Then his eyes flashed furiously toward me. And when he spoke again, every word struck me hard.
"I won’t allow a shameless slut to be my wife,” he said in a quiet, lethal tone.
The world stopped. I was speechlessly in shock. What is he talking about? Is this some kind of sick joke?!
Immediately, chaos broke out. Whispers and horrified stares enveloped me.
“No… I—”I shook my head, my lips trembling.
I wanted to defend myself, but I couldn’t even begin to understand any of it yet.
Just then, a flicker of light caught my eye. The massive LED screen behind me had lit up and a video had started playing.
I turned around and watched, along with everyone else. The footage was grainy, obviously secretly filmed. But I could clearly make out a man and a woman, their naked bodies pressed together in a fevered embrace. His hands gripped her bare waist, pulling her closer as she arched against him.
Their movements blazing with heat and desire. The moans echoed in the hall that everyone could hear clearly.
Their faces were blurred, but that didn’t really matter.
Because the woman had a birthmark. One identical to mine, right there on her chest.
"That woman in the video… It’s you, isn't it? Now what do you have to say for yourself?" Damien’s voice was cold.
A shuddering gasp tore through me as reality caved in.
“No… No, this is wrong! It’s not me.” I tried to protest, stutteringly.
But the damning evidence kept on playing, filling the room with every obscene sound.
The words from the woman who was enjoying the flickings descended me into hell.
"Damien Vaughn? He has no clue..." the woman in the video gasped between breathless moans. "I played him like a fool—took what I wanted, drained his company for millions, and he still fell for it." A low, sultry laugh followed, dripping with satisfaction.
No, it was fake. I would never treat Damien like this!
Just then, without warning, I heard a woman shout, "I told you she was filth!"
SLAP!
I felt it before I saw her. The slap landed hard, and a sharp sting burned across my cheek, my head snapping to the side from the sheer force of the blow.
My skin flamed, and I suddenly felt my ears ringing. Then through the haze of pain, I saw Isadora, her eyes filled with disgust as she lowered her hand.
I clutched my cheek, “That’s not me! I swear it’s not! I don’t know how…” My voice was breaking.
“That’s clearly you,” Damien said, his cold voice making my heart jump.
He stepped closer, not to defend me from his mother, but to tear me down even further.
“I released your video. Will your secret lover come to save you?” he demanded angrily. “Where is he, huh? Who is he?!”
He moved forward menacingly, making me stumble backwards. His fury had erupted without restraint, and I was afraid he might hurt me.
“Damien, there’s really no one…” I tried to explain despite my sudden fear of him in that instance.
Then to my surprise, a sharp, choked sob pierced the air at once.
"Celeste…" Genevieve’s voice quivered as tears pooled in her eyes. "I knew you still love him and dated him secretly. Sorry, I can’t cover it anymore. You shouldn’t betray Damien."
My breath hitched. What?!
Before I could react, Genevieve turned to the crowd, her face twisted in anguish. "She used Damien’s love against the man! She gained his trust, then transferred company assets to her lover!"
A fresh wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.
I stood there, frozen. The very person I had grown up with—the one I had trusted most—was the one shoving the knife deeper into my back.
"You’re lying!" My voice was raw with disbelief. "Why are you doing this?!"
I grabbed Genevieve’s wrist, desperate to stop her, to make her look me in the eyes and tell me why she was slandering me, betraying me like this!
But the moment my fingers touched her, she lurched backward, crashing into the towering display of champagne glasses.
CRASH! SHATTER!
Glass shattered around us, crystal shards raining to the floor as the tower collapsed in a cascade of destruction.
Gasps turned to screams! It was in complete chaos.
I felt a sharp pain searing my palm. Genevieve pressed something cold and jagged into my hand. My fingers instinctively curled around.
Glass.
“Ow—” Genevieve’s deafening scream echoed against the walls.
"SHE CUT ME!" she wailed, grasping her leg as blood seeped through the fabric of her gown. "She did it on purpose! HELP!"
"Call the police!" someone shouted.
My heart dropped. A pounding noise filled my ears. Then panic rapidly wrapped around me, blending with the excruciating pain of betrayal.
And suddenly… the sound of footsteps came.
It was Damien, coming forward and towering above me. He looked calm on the surface, but his words were another story.
"You will pay for this,” he told me through gritted teeth.
Tears blurred my vision as I stood there in great shock, unable to reply, unable to move.
Damien’s POVThe cab ride to the hospital felt longer than it should have.A nurse guided me down a sterile corridor. My mind was elsewhere—on Celeste’s voice, her eyes, the man in the bar, the slap, the accusations. Everything felt like a blur wrapped in static.“This way, sir,” the nurse said politely, gesturing toward a room at the end of the hall.I stepped inside.Genevieve sat up in bed, her cheek still slightly red, but her smile bloomed instantly when she saw me. “Damien,” she breathed, like I was the hero in her story arriving at just the right time.I didn’t return the smile. Beside her, Michael stared at me with irritation, seemingly noticing my disheveled look but choosing to say nothing. I turned to the doctor standing nearby. “What’s her condition?” I asked, voice clipped.The doctor gave a slight nod. “We ran some tests. Nothing serious—just some bruising and mild swelling. She’ll be fine in a day or two.”That was all I needed to hear.“Good,” I said. “Then I’ll be o
Damien’s POVI sat up straighter, squinting through the dim bar lighting, trying to get a clearer look.At first, I thought I was seeing things. Too much alcohol. Too much anger.My brain had to be playing tricks on me.But the more I looked… the more I saw him.The man was still there—same build, tall but slouched posture, same hood pulled low like he had something to hide. My pulse quickened.I stood abruptly, the bar stool scraping back with a screech. I moved toward him, one step at a time. Let me fucking see you, asshole…Let me see who the hell you are…My mouth was dry, my head buzzing.Did you sleep with Celeste? Is that who you are, one of her lovers? But then, my phone buzzed, distracting me. I glanced at the screen, it was Genevieve. I didn’t want to answer. Not now. Not ever, if I was being honest.I looked up again—but the booth was already empty. I whipped around, scanning the bar, the entrance, the shadows—but he had vanished. Like he’d never been there at all.My br
Damien’s POVI didn’t expect her to admit it. She and Theo are together. She has really moved on with another man. Genevieve‘s eyes widened, with something that looked suspiciously like glee. I could sense that she was holding back a lot not to burst into a smug grin. “I’ve had enough of this circus,” Michael suddenly said sharply. “Genevieve, let’s go. You need to see a doctor. That cheek’s getting worse.”“Y-you’re right… it… it really does hurt,” she stammered.She turned to me before walking away and placed her hand on my arm, her touch featherlight but filled with meaning.“Aren’t you coming with us?” she asked softly, her voice just loud enough for Celeste to hear.I didn’t respond.Couldn’t. Because my gaze was locked on Celeste.She didn’t flinch nor appear to be remorseful at all. She just stood beside Theo—like she’d finally chosen a side. And it wasn’t mine.The pain seemed to be burning deeper in me as the seconds ticked. I felt like I’d explode anytime. “Let’s go,” Mi
Celeste’s POVDamien’s arrival was like a match striking dry air.Making Genevieve launch into such a dramatic performance.“Damien! Look what she did to me! ”she cried, forcing him to see the redness blooming across her porcelain skin. Damien’s brows furrowed as he stepped toward her, genuine shock flashing across his face. “What the hell happened?”“She slapped me,” Genevieve whimpered, clutching his sleeve like a damsel clinging to her knight. “I tried to talk to her, and she lashed out.”His eyes darted toward me. “Is that true?” I let out a quiet laugh—dry, humorless. But I didn’t look away. I wouldn’t give him that.Just then, Theo stepped forward, “You didn’t see what happened before that.” He moved closer to my side, resting one hand lightly at the small of my back. Damien’s gaze shifted to him—and for a split second, the mask slipped. He glared at Theo, his fists curling so tightly I could almost hear the strain in his knuckles.I had assumed he came to pick a fight for Ge
Celeste’s POVAfter the loud slap, the room fell into complete silence.Genevieve stood frozen.Then the pain bloomed in, and she let out a shriek of anguish.“You hit me!” she cried out, staggering backward.Oh, yes, I did. It felt good, really.Even with the man’s hand gripping my wrist, trying to stop me, I’d twisted free just enough to land the slap. The man who had stopped my hand earlier quickly caught her before she could fall.“What is wrong with you?!” Genevieve gasped, clutching her cheek. “How dare you—even when he tried to stop you!”As the man gently cupped her face to examine the swelling, she knocked his hat askew—and that’s when I saw him clearly for the first time.The shadows lifted. No more brim to hide behind.His expression had hardened, fury simmering just beneath the surface. His jaw clenched so tightly I could almost hear the grind of his teeth.My breath caught. That face.There was something about him—something deeply familiar. But I had no time to dwell on
Celeste’s POVI stared at the ruined gown draped over the mannequin.The silk was ruined. The embroidery shredded. It looked like a child had attacked it with scissors.Theo sat quietly on the armchair nearby, his eyes on me. And yet he said nothing. Just being here. Just letting me think."Isadora’s money may have covered the cost of the fabric," I murmured, "but even with the material replaced, it won’t be the same."His voice was gentle. "I could have my design team look at it. They're good at restoration."I shook my head. "Thank you, but no. Just restoration isn’t enough. It’s Madam Diane! It can’t be less than outstanding!” I couldn’t just stitch something else together and pretend it would be the same.I stifled a yawn and rubbed at the corner of my eye. The weight of the morning was finally catching up to me.“I need coffee,” I murmured, glancing at Theo with a faint, tired smile. “Think you can save me with a cup?”He stood immediately. "I’ll go. The usual?""Please."He nod
Genevieve’s POVWhen I came to pick up my brother, Michael, I was the image of sweetness and grace—the picture-perfect daughter.I immediately spotted him outside the gates of his massive hilltop estate, so I quickly plastered a bright smile on my face. "Michael!" I called out, waving both hands."Genevieve," he said with a warm smile, pulling me into a hug the moment I reached him.I clung to his arm with all the practiced sweetness I’d learned to wield. "It’s so good to see you!” Then I feigned concern. “You look tired. I’m sorry you had to have bothered you.""Don’t be ridiculous. I’m always happy to see you and to help you in any way."God, he really was the perfect older brother. Doting, loyal, and blinded.“Come inside for a while,” he invited warmly. “The house has missed you.”A servant greeted us just beyond the entrance, bowing slightly. "Miss Genevieve, welcome back. Shall I prepare your usual jasmine tea?""Yes, please, Henry," I said. I loved being adored like this—dote
Damien’s POVI hung up the phone. I didn’t want to hear another word from her. I closed my eyes.Celeste’s words were still echoing in my head like a curse I couldn’t shake.I couldn’t get her furious expression and desperate screams out of my mind. They even overlapped with her pleading on our wedding anniversary.“Please, I am your wife, why don't you believe me?”“You still think I’m the manipulative one. The whore.”I let out a heavy breath. She had brought up the one thing I least wanted to revisit—That damn video.The one I had never wanted to talk about. It was better to accept what I saw, what I was told—especially when it came from my mother and Genevieve. I trusted them. I guess I’d always doubted Celeste, thinking she could easily betray me. That she would.But now... after what she said tonight, that thin shield of certainty I’d been hiding behind all this time began to splinter beneath all the doubt.What if it wasn’t?I sat frozen in my car. And for the first time,
Damien's POV"Celeste, what do you mean by that?" My voice shook with an emotion I couldn’t even name.Celeste narrowed her eyes. I took a deep breath. "About that video—I admit, I acted impulsively. But didn’t you betray me first?" The words were hard to get out, each one slicing open something raw.But I didn’t stop. “I really thought you cared about me. But what happened? You slept with another man." My throat tightened. "You could’ve lied to me for money, fine—but why for him? Was I really that bad to you?""Aha." Celeste let out a cold laugh."This is exactly it. You’re always stuck in your own delusions," she snapped. "You never see the truth unless someone shoves it in your face.""Then what was I supposed to do?!" I snapped back, finally losing it."And there it is," Celeste said suddenly, her anger gone. Her voice turned flat, almost lifeless. "You still think I’m the manipulative one. The whore.""You don’t feel guilty. You just want to make yourself feel better." Her tone
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