“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
Is Semion truly a bad person who kills like the Allegra family?Celeste couldn't accept that accusation. Even though she didn’t fully know Semion yet, she didn’t think he had any malicious intent towards her.When Semion offered her the contract, she saw his sincerity. In truth, Celeste had nothing back then, and even now, she still doesn’t have much. Even if she were to gain all her wealth, it would still be insignificant compared to Semion’s. So, what could she possibly do with it?Of course, Celeste isn’t naive enough not to see the complexities of her situation. That’s why she’s carefully building her own reputation and influence, with Semion’s help, which she can also use as leverage. For instance, by gathering her own staff who will be loyal to her. Additionally, once she regains the lands in the province, her name will become stronger among the people and reach the upper-class families—more people will believe in her capabilities, and there will be a greater chance of upcoming o
A flurry of articles about the relationship between the Costa and Allegra families dominated the news after Celeste’s interview and the documentary on the plight of the farmers.Governor Demetrio is now facing relentless criticism, which only deepens his troubles. He is repeatedly asked for his side on the issues, but only his spokesperson speaks on his behalf.“I believe that the oppressed farmers and residents on our hacienda will rise again. They will achieve the justice they’re fighting for because I will make sure that happens myself.”Darson has watched Celeste’s interview on the news several times from the large screen TV in his room. Despite replaying it over and over until he almost memorizes the lines, he still can’t shake the captivating beauty and bravery of his former wife.He can’t help but remember how Celeste looked back when they were newly married. This was the same vibrancy and brightness she had then.His desire to see and hold her again, face-to-face, is growing s
Due to the recent successes surrounding the ongoing issues, Celeste has been receiving gifts and messages almost daily from various upper-class families.Most of these families don’t really care about the situation; they just want to show their support for the Lombardi family and be involved. However, a few families seem to genuinely care about what’s happening.That’s what she’s currently working on at the mansion—figuring out which families truly have good intentions towards her and the Lombardis, and who she should befriend.On the other hand, she finds it amusing to see the letters and gifts from Veron, Anetta, and Rania. They’re so fake! They want to rekindle their friendship and just forget what happened in the past.“Hmmm…” She pondered what they might use her for in the future. It wouldn’t be so bad to have some lackeys. Besides, with their sharp tongues, she was sure she could gather a lot of useful information. She just needed to show them that she was superior to them at all