Two months versus nearly two decades. Diego chuckled to himself.He understood that it wasn’t easy for Celeste to erase her feelings for her ex-husband, especially in such a short time. It was impressive how she managed not to show any emotion whenever the name of that man came up.Love, pain, trauma, resentment, and anger towards her ex had all mixed together. Anyone who had gone through what she had would likely choose to harden their heart.Even Diego, who had been single his entire life, understood these things. He grew up watching his mother being cheated on repeatedly by his father. Diego remembered the physical abuse his father inflicted on his mother and the way he poisoned her mind. For Diego, a child at the time, it was traumatic and the reason he now avoided romantic relationships.In the end, his mother chose to end her life by hanging herself right in front of him.Diego sighed as he recalled that memory. He shook his head and pushed the thoughts away.The point was, he c
“Primo Semion!” Lisa, one of Celeste’s personal assistants, exclaimed in surprise when she saw Semion entering the mansion late at night. “You’re coming home tonight?”He nodded. “Where’s Celeste? Is she asleep?”“Yes, Primo! Señora went to bed early because she didn’t sleep well last night and was tired from her activities today.”“Is that so? Alright, I’ll head up. Lock the door.”“Yes, Primo!”He took large strides toward the long staircase, hurrying to their bedroom.In truth, he wasn’t supposed to come home tonight since he was busy leading their organization, and Diego had wasted his time by taking him to that bar. So, he decided to come home since his plans were already ruined.When he arrived at the room, he carefully opened the door, afraid he might wake Celeste. He made no noise until the door was securely closed behind him.“T-Take it easy… don’t…”Semion froze at the sound of Celeste’s crying. His eyes widened as he looked at their bed, where Celeste was curled up under a
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” Celeste lowered her gaze, hiding her face in her hands.She had no idea that this was happening to her while she slept. She had no clue that she was dreaming about her parents and crying in her sleep!“S-Sorry!” She suddenly covered her face with her palms. “I really didn’t know, Semion. I must be disturbing your sleep! I’m so sorry!”After a month of sleeping together at night? It was embarrassing that she hadn’t realized she was showing such a weakness to Semion!“Please don’t get me wrong, Celeste,” Semion said gently. “I’m not telling you this to embarrass or discriminate against you. I just want you to be aware and get help for your condition.”Celeste lowered her hands and looked at Semion with a long face. “Do you have anyone you can recommend who can help me? Because no matter how I think about it, I don’t remember having nightmares—there haven’t even been any good dreams. Last night was just particularly bad, and I felt overwhelmed…”Semion swallow
“Celeste…”With eyes dim and red as if she hadn’t slept in weeks, Darson stared at a photo of his former wife from when she was still single.The picture showed fifteen-year-old Celeste with a broad smile, looking at the camera. She was wearing a simple pink dress that highlighted her glowing complexion. Her hair was styled in waves, reaching down to her waist.She was such a beautiful woman… who should have been his alone.“Celeste,” he stroked the picture frame with his thumb. “You’re a lying bitch. You said you would love only me. Where are you now? With another man?”He had downed countless bottles of alcohol in his rage, and now expensive empty bottles were scattered across the bed he used to share with Celeste.In his pain, Darson clenched his fist, ready to hit his chest.“Celeste! Celeste…” He repeated her name over and over, lost in a cycle of frustration and despair.He seemed irrational, unable to understand why Celeste had left him. He couldn’t grasp why she was now in ano
“Madam! Thank you so much, Madam!”“Madam Celeste! You’re a blessing to us!”“We’ve got our farm back!”“We can bathe in the river again!”“Madam Celeste!”Celeste was taken aback by the crowd that greeted her as soon as she stepped out of their van in the province after her three-week absence. She hadn’t expected to be mobbed by people so excited to see her.“Please, calm down, everyone!” she urged, though she couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. They were reaching for her hand and trying to hug her. “I only did what was right for all of us!”“Madam! Thank you for coming back!”“The Allegra’s goons are finally leaving!”“Madam Celeste, long live!”Celeste’s heart was deeply touched by the warm welcome from the people. She spoke to them emotionally, despite their eagerness to see and embrace her.She knew that little by little, people were getting back what was rightfully theirs thanks to the departure of Demetrio’s men from the area. But it still didn’t occur to Celeste that
“Hmm~ nanana, nana, hmm mhmm~” Chiarra hummed softly as she gently stroked her large belly.She looked serene and content, like a delicate pregnant woman quietly resting on the plush sofa in the living room. It seemed she was happily taking care of herself for the baby growing inside her.However, behind her, a maid knelt with a swollen face, secretly sobbing. This was because Chiarra had just vented all her anger on the maid, Tami.Why wouldn’t she? Darson had ignored her for two whole weeks. She couldn’t contain her frustration any longer, so she took it out on Tami, who was failing miserably at serving her.“Tami, turn on the TV. The baby wants to watch cartoons.”“O-Okay, Madam!” The trembling maid stood up, her knees buckling as she walked to the TV to grab the remote and turn it on.But before she could even change the channel, the loud volume of the news broadcast filled the room.“‘The Costa family has taken over private lands in the province currently being contested by farme
As night fell, what was supposed to be a small gathering with Celeste and the farmers turned into a grand celebration, almost like a fiesta for an entire neighborhood. Loud music, strong drinks, and appetizers emerged, quickly leading to a lively dance party.“Is it cold?” Semion asked Celeste as he draped a large black jacket over her shoulders.The chill in Celeste’s arms, caused by the evening breeze, was replaced by the warm comfort of the jacket. Her attention shifted from the dancing people to Semion, who had seated himself next to her.“Thank you,” she said with a big smile. “Are you done talking to your staff?”“All done.” Semion adjusted the jacket on her. “Wear this properly, or you’ll catch a cold.”“Okay,” Celeste chuckled as she put on the oversized jacket. She could smell Semion’s pleasant cologne, which made her inhale deeply with a sigh of contentment.“W-What?” Semion looked away, puzzled. “Why are you sniffing like that?”“You smell so good,” she complimented.Semion
Felip was restless as he watched Celeste sitting next to Semion from a distance. He had been waiting for nearly an hour, looking for the right moment for the two of them to separate so he could talk to Celeste.His face brightened when he saw Semion stand up, holding his cellphone to his ear, and watched him walk away, distancing himself from Celeste. Semion's serious expression, as he spoke on the phone before disappearing from view, made Felip suspicious. "Tskk!" Wasn't that suspicious? Why would he leave just because of a phone call? Unless he was hiding something from Celeste and didn't want her to overhear!But now Felip saw his chance to approach Celeste."Celeste!" he called out, grabbing her attention and sitting down next to her in Semion's earlier spot."Oh, Felip!" Celeste greeted him warmly. "Where have you been? You’ve been missing for a while, huh?"Felip took a long look at Celeste's gentle face. He could barely recognize her now due to her remarkable beauty. She had c