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CHAPTER 12

Author: Olivia GW
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-09 22:39:54

Celeste’s POV

The seatbelt pressed against my chest, but it wasn’t what was making it hard to breathe.

I sat rigid in the passenger seat, my hands on my lap, but my mind wasn’t here—it was still back in that hospital, tangled in Damien’s presence.

Beside me, Theo drove in silence.

I was still lost in my thoughts when he finally reached out and touched my hand. “Are you okay?”

Jumping a bit, I gave him a startled look. “I… I, uh… I don’t know. I’m not sure.” I looked away, gazing outside and mindlessly watching the people we passed by.

“Celeste, you know you can tell me anything,” he began gently. “Is it because we saw Damien?”

He knew how deeply I had once loved Damien—probably still did. He wasn’t asking just to be polite. He genuinely wanted to know if I could handle this. If I was truly ready to walk away.

I swallowed, pushing down the tangle of emotions inside me. Then I exhaled slowly. “I’m not the same person anymore…”

Theo’s brow furrowed slightly, his fingers tightening on t
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