Share

CHAPTER 2

Penulis: Olivia GW
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-04 18:54:49

Celeste’s POV

I woke up with a throbbing headache. And as soon as my eyes popped open, I jolted upright. 

Wait a minute, this isn’t my home. 

Looking around, I noticed that the room was spacious enough, but plain and simple. With everything a creepy white.

Where am I?

I winced in pain as I tried to move my hands. Both were bandaged. 

Suddenly, the pain awakened all my memories. Isadora. Genevieve. Damien. 

My mother-in-law slapped me. My best friend had betrayed me. My husband hadn’t even bothered to look for the truth before labeling me a slut in front of the whole world.

I held back the tears in my eyes and began to look around. My gaze fell on a brochure on the bedside table. It said: Welcome to Ravencrest Asylum!

It was… An asylum? A mental institution?! My eyes widened. Why am I here?

Suddenly, the door swung open and I turned sharply toward it. 

Damien walked in, his presence commanding as ever, though his expression remained cold and detached. 

Behind him, Genevieve followed in a wheelchair, partially covered in a soft shawl. Her delicate frame made her look like the perfect victim. 

A myriad of emotions hit me hard. But I stared hard at her, waiting for an explanation. Hoping just a bit that this was some kind of mistake. 

Her lips trembled, and as soon as her gaze met mine, she let out a quiet sob.

"I’m so sorry, Celeste," she whispered, her voice shaking. “You shouldn’t have done those things. I couldn’t hold back the truth anymore…”

The words slammed into me. I barely had time to process the shock before Damien tossed a folder onto the table. It slid across the surface, stopping inches from my fingers.

I hesitated before picking it up with trembling hands.

PATIENT: Celeste Vaughn

DIAGNOSIS: Mental Instability. Hallucinations. Violent Tendencies.

"What… what is this?" My voice came out hoarse and unsteady.

Damien’s stare didn’t falter. "Your medical report."

My fingers clenched around the papers. "This… is not true."

"Isn’t it?" His voice was ice. "You attacked Genevieve. You caused a scene at the banquet. You lashed out in front of hundreds of people."

"None of that was my fault!" I took a step closer, feeling desperate. "The video was fake! The injury—she framed me! How can you not see that?!"

Damien didn’t even blink. "You know what I see?” He paused, seething. “A woman who’s willing to protect her secret lover at any cost."

I let out a shaky breath, trying to hold myself together. "Damien, I don’t have any damn secret lover. There’s no one else!” I cried out. “You know how important you are to me! I gave you my life."

"Enough with the lies." He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair like he was forcing himself to stay calm. 

"But I’m not lying!" 

Suddenly, Genevieve let out a soft whimper. "Celeste, please... just admit it! You betrayed Damien. You hurt me. Haven’t you done enough?"

“Admit what?”  I snapped. “Why would you say that? You’re supposed to be my best friend!”

"I’m your friend, but I’ve covered for you long enough, Celeste! This is for your own good!"

Genevieve stood tall, playing the role of a righteous savior—pretending she was delivering justice.

"You—LIAR!" I yelled, my anger ignited. 

I lunged for her, but Damien was quick to step in between us, grabbing my wrists. “Stop this, Celeste! You’re unstable and dangerous!” 

He jerked me so hard that I lost my balance, and I suddenly felt my body falling backwards. I hit the floor hard, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

Pain shot through my back, but it was nothing compared to the searing agony in my heart. I blinked up at Damien through my tears.

For just a second, his gaze shifted with something that surprised me. Concern? Regret? 

But then, Genevieve sobbed again. Damien’s shoulders squared, his face hardening once more.

“Genevieve even tried to cover for you when I saw the video,” he muttered coldly. His gaze connected with mine, and I could see his eyes filling with sheer fury. "Celeste. I can’t believe you could be so cruel."

The words stabbed right through me. Tears spilled over, but still I forced myself to sit up, my hands pressing against the cold floor.

"Damien…" I pleaded. "Please. Don't do this to me."

"Don’t touch me,” he spat out. “Being with you disgusts me."

The breath left my lungs. A sharp, empty ache spread through my chest, crushing what was left of my dignity. 

The man I had spent years loving was looking at me with even more wrath and revulsion than before. 

I swallowed hard, shaking my head. "You’re wrong. I—"

"You should be thanking Genevieve," Damien cut me off. "If it weren’t for her kindness, you’d be in prison right now."

My mouth dropped open, and my blood ran cold. I couldn’t believe my ears. 

“You have to stay here and reflect on everything you’ve done, Celeste,” Damien said, his voice dripping with cold loathing. 

Is he crazy? No damn way. I can’t stay here!

Auntie was still waiting for me with news about my biological parents. I was so close— finally so close to finding the truth! 

"No!" I tried to stand, though my legs trembled beneath me. "I need to leave! You can’t keep me here!"

But Damien stood his ground, blocking the exit. 

Then to my surprise, Genevieve touched his hand and spoke. "Damien… Let me talk to her alone."

Damien frowned, looking terribly worried. But it wasn’t for me. It was for her. 

He’s thinking I might attack her again. He’s worried I might end up hurting his innocent Genevieve. 

It was a sick joke, indeed. 

Damien had never once looked at me that way. Never once been afraid to leave me vulnerable. But now, he was treating her like something fragile. 

My scream got stuck in my throat.

“Fine,” Damien eventually said. “I’ll be right outside.”

His eyes moved toward me one last time before he turned and strode out of the room. 

As soon as the door clicked shut, Genevieve dropped the act. The softness in her expression vanished, replaced with something sharp and cruel. Perhaps even victorious.

She let out a low, satisfied laugh. "My, my, Celeste," she purred, tilting her head. "Look at you now. How does it feel to lose everything?"

I gritted my teeth. "You piece of—"

"Don’t bother," she cut me off, rolling her eyes. "I don’t have time for your drama. No one’s going to believe you, anyway."

Rage boiled inside me, but I forced myself to stay still.

"Why?" My voice shook, but not from fear. From fury. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Genevieve smirked. "You still don’t get it, do you?" she sighed dramatically. "You still see yourself as a billionaire’s wife? Don’t be delusional. Now you’re just a famous high-society whore."

Her words twisted my heart, crushing something inside of me. 

"You know, I did everything I could to get close to Damien…” she began to say with bitterness and anger. “I became his secretary. I worked harder than anyone. And yet, he still ended up marrying you." Her smile faded, eyes flashing with hatred. "A useless, pathetic little orphan girl with no potential. And you’re not even that pretty.”

I inhaled sharply, resisting the urge to shake her awake. 

Genevieve leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But don’t worry," she murmured. "Everything has finally gone back to where it should be."

She tilted her head, smiling. Like she had already won.

Without thinking, I jumped at her with rage. “You—vile, scheming liar! You’ve been playing me all this time, planning to betray me all along!”

But she just laughed.

"Temper, temper," she cooed, completely unfazed. "You might want to control that. It’s exactly why Damien thinks you’re insane."

A sharp inhale stuttered past my lips. And that was when she leaned in, her lips barely moving. "Enough of this, Celeste. Just stay here and be a good girl, alright?"

“You have no right—”

She didn’t let me finish. “Stay here or I’ll have the orphanage shut down. It’s just one call away.”

My eyes widened. The air left my lungs. No! Not the orphanage!

Genevieve sighed, inspecting her nails. "Auntie and those poor, helpless children... What would they do if they suddenly had nowhere to go? If they ended up on the streets, starving, straying?"

She tilted her head, smirking again. "You wouldn’t want to be responsible for that, would you?"

The walls of the asylum seemed to close in around me. My heartbeat pounded in my skull. And in that moment, I realized the hard, painful truth. 

I was trapped, left with no choice. And she fucking knew it.

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terkait

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 3

    Celeste’s POVI struggled to suppress the scream in my throat, silently praying for someone to come and help me.That was all I could do. It was not just me I had to think about. Those kids in the orphanage… and Auntie, who’d always been like a mother to me…If I fought back, Genevieve would make good on her threats.I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to breathe through the panic clawing at my chest. I couldn’t let them suffer because of me.Luckily, no one entered my room again until sleep finally claimed me.Soon, morning came. The door suddenly creaked open, making me sit up in bed as a nurse walked in.She was definitely not the kind who greeted others with warmth.Her uniform was crisp, but her face was hard and expressionless. The dead eyes stared at me, void of empathy.“Time for your medicine.”I immediately recoiled. “I don’t need it. I’m not sick,” my voice hoarse.But the nurse didn’t blink. She simply walked forward, grabbed my jaw in a bruising grip, and forced my mouth ope

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04
  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 4

    Celeste’s POVI pounded on the door, my fists aching from the force. But I couldn’t stop it."Help! Someone, please!"I slammed my hands against the door again, even louder and harder this time. “Please! Help!”The nurses barged in, their expressions twisted with irritation."Shut up!" one of them snapped."You want us to sedate you?" another hissed.I dropped to my knees, clutching at their uniforms. "Please, let me out," I begged, my voice cracking. "My Auntie—she's in the hospital. The children—""You can't leave without your family's consent."“But please, I need to —” I began to say, but they stepped back and pushed me to the floor. Desperation twisted inside me like a wild animal. My eyes flicked to the nurse’s pocket. Something was flashing inside. I could make out the shape of her cellphone. I forced myself to nod, lowering my head in feigned submission. "I’m sorry," I murmured. "I won’t cause trouble anymore."The nurses exchanged a look, then scoffed. "Hmph. There you go.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04
  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 5

    Celeste’s POV"Help!"The cry barely left my lips before one of the nurses ripped the phone from my grasp.Pain exploded through my arm as she crushed her heel into my open wound. A strangled scream tore from my throat."Hello? Celeste, is that you? What’s happening?" Theo’s voice came through, sharp with concern.But they didn’t let me respond. "Little bitch, you’re done for!" she hissed before cutting the call and shoving the phone into her pocket.“No!” I shouted, ignoring the intense pain coming from my arm. Theo had heard me, right? He must know I’m in trouble!"Lock her up!"Before I could react, the nurse’s rough hands yanked me up, binding my wrists tightly. She was eager to get back at me for tricking them. She bound me too tightly. The rope dug into my skin, biting like a promise of more suffering to come."Please, no—"My plea was ignored.I was dragged down the dim corridor, my bare feet scraping against the cold floor. Laughter rang in my ears. A door swung open, and

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04
  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 6

    Damien’s POV“Is this some kind of joke?” I mocked back. But inside, my heart was hammering. I could tell that he was truly concerned. But no, it’s impossible. Celeste is in a sanatorium, under expert care. They know what they’re doing. How can she be in danger?"Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?" Theo spat with venom.Then—the line went dead.I stared at my phone, stunned and confused. Was Celeste really in danger? Had I somehow caused it?A strange, uneasy feeling formed in my gut. I tried to push it away, to remind myself that Theo was probably exaggerating.But panic began to take over me. My pulse pounded in my ears.Just then, Genevieve reached out, her fingers brushing against my arm. "Damien…" Her voice was soft, soothing, but it made me even more uneasy.“What?” There was hesitation in her eyes. "I didn’t want to tell you this," she murmured, lowering her gaze as if reluctant. "But since Theo is getting involved… I think you should know the truth."I frowned. "What tru

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04
  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 7

    Celeste’s POVA sharp clatter in the hallway jolted me awake. Then I heard hurried footsteps.Something was wrong.I pushed myself up from the cold, hard floor, my body aching from days of neglect. Since being locked away in this filthy utility room, nothing had changed—except for the daily medication forced down my throat.And the scars multiplying on my arms.I pulled my sleeves down, hiding the evidence. The small, deliberate wounds were my only anchor—reminders that I was still here. But the side effects of the drugs were getting worse. My heartbeat slowed unpredictably. My limbs weakened at random. Several times, I had felt my consciousness slipping away, my breath growing shallow.I’d tried to get help, but no one really cared. My beloved husband, Damien, probably knew I was here and did not give a damn at all. I used to think I couldn’t survive without him. That if I just tried harder, loved him enough, he would finally look at me the way I once dreamed.What a joke.Now I h

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-07
  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 8

    Celeste’s POV"Celeste!"The sound of my name, spoken in that voice, sent a shudder through me.Theo Mercer.For a second, I could only stare, unable to process it. God, it had been so long since I’d last seen him.He had changed. Sharper. Stronger. The confident posture, the controlled intensity in his gaze—it was different from the young man I once knew.But one thing hadn’t changed.The way he looked at me.“How are you?” His voice was gentle, but full of concern. “You look pale…” “Uh, I…” I began to answer. But no other words came out. I honestly didn’t know what to say. Or perhaps I was still in shock. How was I?I had been beaten, drugged, abandoned, and left to rot in a place that wanted me erased. And what brought me here in the first place were the two people I trusted and cared about — my husband and best friend. Those traitors. And yet, I was still here.I forced a tight, unreadable smile. “I’ve been better.”Theo’s expression darkened. He came forward and took my hand i

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-07
  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 9

    Celeste’s POVTheo’s arm was still wrapped around me, steadying me against him. His grip was firm but careful, as if I might break apart if he let go.I was extremely grateful that he was here for me, with me. I always knew I could depend on him. But now, while my husband watched us, I felt Theo's arms holding me even tighter. The air became subtle.My heart pounded wildly as Damien strode forward, his eyes sharp with a kind of fury that I had never seen from him before. Wait, is that… jealousy?A bitter laugh almost escaped me, but I swallowed it down. Don’t be stupid, Celeste! Damien Vaughn— jealous? No, that’s impossible. I had to be losing my mind. I must have imagined it. More likely, it was frustration—anger at being defied. But the rage radiating off him was almost tangible, thickening the air between us.His gaze darkened the moment he saw Theo holding me up. Then, his lips curled into a cruel sneer.“Celeste, how many lovers do you have?” he suddenly blurted out, fuming. “O

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-07
  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 10

    Celeste’s POV"It's none of your business."The words flew out of my mouth, sharp and unfiltered, as I yanked my wrist free from his grasp.Damien’s eyes darkened, his fingers twitching slightly, as if resisting the urge to reach for me again. He was momentarily taken aback, just standing there without moving. It was hard to read the expression on his face. He was obviously shocked. Perhaps because he never expected me to fight back like this. Well, it didn’t matter. I simply didn’t care anymore. I turned on my heel and stepped into the hospital, leaving him behind without a second glance.I could feel it—his presence lingering like a ghost, his stare burning into my back.But I didn’t look back. Although I appeared indifferent on the surface, the turmoil within me was far more intense.I let out a slow breath, willing my heart to calm down, to stop feeling anything for him. This was necessary, after all. I had spent too long chasing after Damien Vaughn, too long drowning in love

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09

Bab terbaru

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 36

    Celeste’s POVThe sudden ring of my phone cut through the air, sharp and jarring, snapping me out of the moment.I startled, instinctively reaching into my clutch. Damien’s grip loosened, just enough for me to step back.The screen flashed with the hospital’s number. My breath caught in my throat.I answered quickly. "Hello?""Miss Monroe?" The nurse’s voice was calm but clipped. "It’s your aunt. Her condition has suddenly worsened. The doctor would like you to come in immediately."I didn’t even hesitate. "I’m on my way."I turned, already walking. Damien called my name, but I didn’t look back.My heels clicked sharply against the marble steps, heart racing—not from what had just happened with Damien, but from the news that clutched at my chest like a vice.Oh, Auntie Eleanor. Please be okay. Please, please. I reached the curb and pulled out my phone again, opening a ride app. Nothing. All the cars were either booked or delayed. I turned to one of the event staff, breathless. "Is th

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 35

    Celeste’s POVI kept my expression calm, smoothing the fabric of my dress like I wasn’t clenching my teeth to keep my pulse in check. What the hell is he thinking, locking us both in here?“Impressive,” he suddenly said, voice low and sharp as glass, as he moved closer to me. “You managed to clear your name and even earned a round of applause. Bravo.”His sarcasm dripped like venom, but I refused to rise to it.“If you’re just here to make snide remarks,” I said coolly, not even bothering to look up, “the door is right there.”“Don’t talk to me like that.”His voice dropped, darker this time—more dangerous.I finally lifted my eyes to meet him. “What right do you have to meddle in my affairs, Damien? We’re already divorced.”That word—divorced—hit like a slap. I saw it in the flicker of pain that flashed across his features before he forced it back behind that familiar mask of cold detachment.“Divorced?” he echoed with a bitter laugh. “You think you can get rid of me that easily?”A

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 34

    Celeste’s POVAll eyes were on me.I could feel the skepticism hanging in the air. And yet, I stood tall in the center of the hall. After all, I reminded myself that I wasn’t here to beg for belief. I was here to take it back.“For those who still care about the truth," I said clearly, wanting to reiterate my message, "the rumors about me are false. Deliberately crafted lies, fueled by someone who wanted to tear me down."The press murmured, and a wave of hushed gasps and judgmental scoffs rippled through the room."Oh please," someone in the crowd whispered loudly. "Of course she says that.""She’s just trying to play the victim. Typical."Another voice chimed in with a bitter laugh. "This is what they all do when they get caught."I didn’t flinch. Let them talk. I had expected this.But before I could respond, Theo stepped forward. "Enough."The room stilled. Even the most eager gossipers froze at the edge in his tone."Celeste doesn’t need to explain herself to anyone," Theo contin

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 33

    Damien’s POVI lifted my glass to my lips without tasting the champagne. The conversations around me blurred into a background hum of empty pleasantries.Fake laughter. Hollow compliments. Meaningless alliances sealed with overpriced wine.I hated this. But Genevieve thrived on it.She stood a few paces away, wearing a luxurious gown, greeting the crowd with her signature smile. Every word, every gesture calculated. Definitely charming. A perfect performance indeed. Meanwhile, I was just trying to keep my temper in check.Another executive approached, all handshakes and toothy grins. I nodded, murmured something polite, and checked my watch for the fifth time in ten minutes.And then it happened. I caught murmurs—words floating in low whispers:“Is that Theo Mercer?” “He brought someone?” “Wait… is that his girlfriend?” “I didn’t know he was seeing anyone…”My gut twisted before I even turned.Theo? A girlfriend?No. That wasn’t possible. I would’ve heard something. The man didn’t

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 32

    Celeste’s POVGasps rippled through the crowd like a stone breaking still water.For a moment, the flashes of camera phones slowed, like even the press didn’t know what to do with what they were seeing.I caught glimpses of expressions—wide eyes, parted lips, frozen smiles.“Is that her? Isn’t she the scandalous ex-wife?”“Wait, she looks... stunning. But why is she here and why is he with her?”“I hate to say it, but… damn. That dress is a showstopper. Did a designer actually choose her to debut that look?”“Why would a dress like that be lent to her?”The whispers struck like arrows, each one trying to slice through the calm I wore like armor.But I kept walking.I felt Theo beside me like a steady force. He didn’t flinch beneath the attention, didn’t falter under the weight of our spectacle.But the looks weren’t for him. They were for us.Because in the eyes of the elite, in the minds of those who only understand currency in power and status, how you arrive—and with whom—was the l

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 31

    Celeste’s POVThe reflection staring back at me in the mirror didn’t look like someone falling apart.No—she looked polished, collected. Ready for the world. But deep inside, I could feel it—the quiet flutter of nerves, the whisper of uncertainty that had followed me from the moment I zipped up the gown.This is it. My first real step back into the world.My fingers brushed down the fabric of the dress I had designed myself. Every stitch carried a piece of me—every pleat, every fold, a reminder that I had once belonged in this industry. That I had once been brilliant. That I could be brilliant again.I had sacrificed so much for Damien. And when it all came crashing down, there was nothing left of me but ashes.But ashes could be reborn.I wasn’t going to walk into that ballroom as Damien Vaughn’s ex-wife. I wasn’t going to be the scandalous woman in tabloid headlines or the poor soul people pitied.I was walking in as Celeste Monroe. Designer. Creator. Survivor.And tonight, I wasn

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 30

    Damien’s POVI sat in silence for a long time, the document still open on my desk, the edges curling beneath my fingers.Genevieve’s name stared back at me, bold and inarguable in transaction logs and email metadata.I couldn’t reconcile it. The woman who had stood beside me through everything and had been such a great friend—why would she involve herself in something like this? Why target Celeste?I groaned, my head swimming with confusion, my heart constricting from the rising emotions. And yet, I couldn’t just go to her—not when she had walked away with that terrifying calm, as if everything between us had meant nothing. Not when she had thrown away her ring and hadn’t looked back.But I could fix this. I could clean up the mess, silence the voices, and push back against the vultures circling her name.I can protect her. Even if she doesn’t want me to.I leaned back in my chair, my gaze drifting to the edge of my desk—where a photo sat half-obscured beneath a folder.Oh, Celeste…

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 29

    Damien’s POVThe data was wrong. Again.I slammed the folder down on the boardroom table. "You had one job," I snapped, my voice cold and cutting. "And this is what you bring me? Faulty projections, incomplete charts, and a model that looks like it was thrown together by an intern?"No one dared speak. The room was thick with tension, and even the senior executives looked like they wanted to shrink into their seats.I didn’t care.Because the truth was, I wasn’t just angry about the data.I was angry about everything.The divorce. The headlines. The way she looked at me during that final meeting, like I was nothing. The way she didn’t even blink when she signed her name next to mine. Like it meant nothing.Like I meant nothing.A surge of pressure built behind my temples, my teeth grinding together while silence dragged on. Finally, I straightened and adjusted my cufflinks, dismissing them with a cold flick of my fingers."Fix it. Now."They filed out without a word, avoiding eye cont

  • A Ruthless Revenge: the Billionaire's Ex Wife Is Back   CHAPTER 28

    Celeste’s POVThe bar was dimly lit and the air was tinged with the stale scent of spilled whiskey and forgotten regrets. People spoke in hushed tones, but none of it registered. The world felt muted, like it was trying not to disturb me.I sat alone at the counter, the amber liquid in my glass almost all gone. It burned going down—but that was the point.Alcohol was the best anesthetic. It numbed the ache in my chest, dulled the sharp sting of memories I wasn’t ready to confront.It's over, damn it. The marriage. The façade. The illusion that maybe, just maybe, he’d come to love me.I had given everything to that man. And in return, he’d given me humiliation.My god! The betrayal and accusations... The imprisonment in that goddamn asylum like I was something to be hidden and left to suffer and rot. I’d looked down at my own trembling hands once and seen blood. My blood. A quiet scream for help no one ever heard.Back then, I promised myself—if I ever got out, I would cut him out of

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status