Damien grunted, and his pleasure tore a cry from my throat. He whipped his face away from Vanessa to stare at me in shock. Then he called my name as he untangled himself from her.
The sight of them made me nauseous. I had to get away.
I shut the door and dabbed my face dry. Anger ignited next to the heartbreak. I would get Bonnie, we would leave and I would never see that unfaithful bastard again.
Mind made up, I hurried back the way I came. Damien’s voice echoed behind me and I ignored him until he grabbed my arm.
The suit I had picked out and carefully pressed was crumpled from their escapades. Vanessa sauntered over, unbothered, with her hair a mess.
“Celeste, please let me explain.” Damien begged.
I pulled my arm free from his grip. “I don’t want to hear it, Damien. There is nothing you could possibly say that will fix this.”
Vanessa reached us and tucked herself into Damien’s side. I could still see a hint of that satisfied smirk on her lips.
“I’m so sorry, Celeste. Neither of us meant for this to happen.” Her voice sounded genuine, while her eyes twinkled with glee. “Damien and I, we just have this connection—”
“Not now, Vanessa.” He interrupted.
Damien being with another woman just two hours before our wedding absolutely broke me. But Vanessa’s betrayal hurt, too.
“I loved you like a sister, Vanessa. How could you do this to me?”
She leaned closer to Damien. “Maybe you should have taken better care of your man, sweetie.”
Her condescending tone made my blood boil. I couldn’t believe I never realised how two-faced and selfish she was.
“Are you seriously saying it’s my fault you slept with my husband?”
Damien detached himself from Vanessa and reached for my hand.
“Look Celeste, if you’ll just calm–”
I stepped back, my voice rising to match my rage. “How long has this been going on? Since she started working for you?” They said nothing. “I can’t believe this!”
“I can explain. Please don’t throw our family away, Celeste.” Damien pleaded.
“You threw our family away when you slept with that backstabbing bitch. This wedding is not happening. I’m taking my daughter and I’m leaving.”
Damien shouted for me to stop and listen. I ignored him and hurried to the makeup room, my emotions in turmoil.
“Mommy, do you like my makeup?” Bonnie asked as soon as she saw me.
Kelly had done a great job. It was a pity it was all in vain.
“Yes, honey. It looks lovely.”
Kelly’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Mrs Kent, your eyeliner is smudged. Let me fix that up for you.”
“It’s alright.” I said as I grabbed my handbag and Bonnie’s hand. “You can go home now, Kelly. Thanks for your hard work.”
I left the confused makeup artist behind and made my way to the venue’s exit as quickly as Bonnie’s legs would allow. I needed to get out of here before Damien found me.
If he was even looking for me.
“Mommy, where’s your pretty white dress?”
“I don’t need it anymore, Bonnie.”
“Why?”
Her question shoved the knife deeper into my heart. I would have to explain to my daughter that our lives as we knew them were over. Our family had been permanently destroyed.
How do you tell a five-year-old that?
I took a deep breath. “Because Daddy and Mommy are not having a wedding anymore.”
“Why?”
I stopped and picked her up.
“Bonnie, Daddy did something bad with Auntie Vanessa.”
“What did Daddy do?”
Her pretty face was so innocent. I could never tell her the truth.
“It doesn’t matter, honey. But we can’t all live together anymore. We’re going home to pack our things and find a new home. Just the two of us.”
Damien may have destroyed our family, but I’d always be Bonnie’s mother and she’d always be my daughter. We’d start over together.
“But I want to live with Daddy and Auntie Vanessa!”
It felt like I’d been sucker-punched in the gut.
This final betrayal hurt beyond anything I could imagine. The child I cared for with all my being chose her father, who hardly had time for her, and her aunt, who never cleaned a single diaper or snotty nose, over me.
It was more than I could take.
Bonnie whined. “I wanna go down. I want Daddy!”
Damien and Vanessa had just come into the reception area. I let Bonnie wiggle out of my hold and watched numbly as she ran and jumped into Vanessa’s arms.
“Honey, are you sure? You won't get to hear a bedtime story from Mommy tonight,” I said, my smile feeling like a mask over the pain.
Bonnie just shrugged, like it didn't matter.
“It's okay, Mommy. Auntie Vanessa can tell me a story.”
“Fine, just don’t kick the covers off when you sleep tonight,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
I turned and walked away, my vision blurring as I left the wedding reception.
My suitcase bulged as I finished packing. But there were so many things I’d have to leave behind.
I took one last look at our bedroom. My stomach twisted as I wondered if Damien and Vanessa ever made love in our bed. If they hadn’t, they probably would now.
I slammed the door shut and dragged my suitcase downstairs.
My fingers trembled as I opened a little black box. The ring inside was the one I had been dreaming of for five years.
I would never get to wear it.
I left the ring on the coffee table, next to the divorce agreement I had printed and signed as soon as I got home. Damien would find them without a problem.
Leaving the living room, I dug my phone out of my bag.
6 missed calls from mom
Shit. I immediately called her back. She must have been frantic.
“Celeste, dear, what’s happening? Vanessa told the guests the wedding was off.”
The concern in her voice finally unleashed my tears.
“Mom, I’m so sorry. I should’ve listened to you when you warned me about Damien. I was so blind. So stupid.” My throat burned as I forced the words out. “I’m d-divorcing Damien. He’s having an affair, mom.”
The line was quiet for a moment.
“It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”
The gentle kindness of her voice sent me into a sobbing fit. I wasn’t completely alone. My mother was still there for me.
“Don’t cry. It’s not your fault, you hear me?” She sounded stern.
I could only nod as I tried to calm down.
“I’m going to find that good-for-nothing bastard and make him regret the day he hurt my baby.”
The gung-ho determination in her voice actually made me laugh through the tears.
“It’s fine, mom. I’ve already signed the divorce papers and I’m leaving the house now.”
“Good. I’m proud of you, Celeste. You call me if you need anything at all, okay?”
I smiled, feeling a little less hopeless.
“Thanks, mom.”
I hung up and dried my face. If my family didn’t want me to be their wife or mother, then I would be myself. I had sacrificed everything for them, and they took it for granted.
It was time I rediscovered who I was.
With my suitcase in hand, I left my home of five years and I didn’t look back.
Damien’s povHours after my wedding blew up in my face, I was finally home. A stack of papers and the wedding ring commissioned from the top designers at my company sat in plain view on my coffee table. “I’m going to change into something more comfortable.” Vanessa said before heading upstairs.I walked over to the living room and flipped through the papers. It was a divorce agreement already filled out and signed. I couldn’t help but chuckle.Celeste was looking for attention.She was just a spoiled housewife. She’d be begging me to take her back in a couple of days when she realised she’s nothing without me.I tossed the papers aside and sunk into the sofa, exhausted. Today was a massive failure that hurt both my pride and my pocket. Celeste was always good at wasting my money, but today really took the cake.I sighed. At least Vanessa had handled announcing the wedding cancellation surprisingly well. I was happy to learn she had other talents besides incredible sex.“You threw our
Celeste’s POV This morning was bittersweet. I didn’t have to wake up before sunrise to press and lay out Damien’s clothes, get Bonnie ready for school, and do a million other things.But I was still heartbroken. I mourned my marriage and missed my daughter.The noon sun felt nice on my skin as I walked down bustling streets. I was paying Grace, an old friend from college, an overdue visit.I wished I’d made more time for her after I got married. We used to have so much fun.She had a keen sense for people, too. When we met Vanessa, she warned me something was off. I should have listened.Grace’s jewellery boutique came into view. She’d decorated it exquisitely, with stylish pieces of jewellery that sparkled under the lights. I stood outside the entrance and took a deep breath. I wanted to hide this shameful aspect of my life. But I knew I needed to rely on my friends.The familiar ring of the bell comforted me as I pushed open the door. Grace looked up from behind the counter. A del
Celeste’s POVMy stomach was in knots as I walked into the children’s ward at the hospital. I desperately needed to see my daughter and know that she was okay.I reached the room the nurse pointed me to and threw open the door.My daughter laid in the bed, almost as white as its sheets. I ran straight to her side. There was an IV drip in her arm, and she moaned with pain.“Bonnie? It’s Mommy. Can you hear me, baby?” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice.“Mrs Kent?”I turned to see a doctor speaking with Damien and his mother, Pauline.“Yes, I’m Mrs Kent. Are you Bonnie’s doctor? Can you tell me what’s wrong with her?” I asked her, ignoring the others.“Oh, your husband didn’t tell you?” I said nothing, and the doctor cleared her throat before responding.“Your daughter has acute gastroenteritis, most likely caused by the unhygienic takeout food she ate yesterday. She was severely dehydrated when your husband brought her in.”I blinked back tears. My sweet girl went through so
Celeste’s POVBonnie looked at me first then Damien. “I want Daddy.”“I want to be with Daddy and auntie Vanessa.” Bonnie blinked her innocent big eyes.Her words were sweet and naive. She’s only five years old, she never understood what her choice meant.But her childish words pierced my heart like a dagger.I squatted down by the ward-bed, forced a soft smile to Bonnie and made a last-ditch effort, “Sweetheart, come with mommy, huh? Mommy will promise you all the best things in the world.”Damien and Bonnie had been my whole world for the past five years. Damien betrayed me already, I can't afford to lose Bonnie anymore.Bonnie lowered her eyebrows and played with her fingers, “But Daddy has more money, he can buy me toys and Aunt Vanessa will buy me all the sweets. You only allow me to eat a little. And she never asks me to eat broccoli.”I opened my mouth to explain to Bonnie that I don't let her eat too much sugar and snacks for her teeth and health, but Bonnie’s following inter
Damien’s POVA storm thundered through my mind when I saw Celeste.Instead of going home and cleaning my house, she was grinding on those pimple-faced nobodies. They all wanted her, and she was shaking her ass, begging for it.She should have been on her knees, begging me to take her back.“What the fuck are you doing dancing with other men?” I shouted with barely contained rage, my fingers gouging into her flesh. She stared at me with her mouth open for a few seconds before her face twisted into a scowl.“Leave me alone. I’m having fun for once.”How dare she dismiss me?Celeste ripped her arm free and turned to the dance floor. There wasn’t a chance in hell I was letting her go back to slut it up with those losers.“Get your ass back here.” I spat through clenched jaws. “Now.” My fists shook at my sides as she ignored me.Fury flooded my veins. I grabbed her thighs and flung her over my shoulder in a flash. Celeste had been acting out way too much recently. It was time I reminded
Celeste’s POVI stood outside the civil affairs office, fidgeting with my necklace as I waited for Damien to arrive. He was already 15 minutes late.Last night gave me the final push I needed to finalise my divorce. Damien had acted completely out of line. I could still feel his kiss lingering on my lips.It made my stomach turn.The way he manhandled me and forced himself on me made me feel sick. It was like he thought he owned me. I was determined to sever any legal ties between us.I looked up to see Damien striding towards me. He wore rumpled clothes, a dark stubble covered his jaw, and his eyes were sunken.He must’ve had a rough night.“You’re late.” I complained when he reached me. He sighed. “Things have been difficult with Bonnie in the hospital and you off fooling ar–”I glared at him, and he stopped himself.Damien cleared his throat. “Things have been hard with you gone.”He stared at me with longing and pain written all over his face. A part of me felt gleeful knowing h
Vanessa’s POVDamien and Celeste’s divorce was the happiest day of my life. Finally, Damien was mine after years of pretending to be Celeste’s friend and sucking up to their little spawn.I hummed happily as I walked down a row of designer bags bathed in golden light. “I’ll take this one.” I pointed to a one of a kind clutch and the sales assistant ran off to package it for me. She left it with the numerous other items I’d chosen. “Would you be interested in browsing our scarf collection?” She asked.“Maybe next time. I have a nail appointment now. Have these delivered to my address.” I said as I left the store.My new life came with many perks, but Damien’s credit card was by far my favourite.I now lived with one of the most successful businessmen in the jewellery industry. Working didn’t suit my new status. I resigned from the company as soon as the divorce was finalised. I spent my days shopping and pampering myself. It would have been bliss if Damien hadn’t started pulling awa
Damien’s POV“For fuck’s sakes, I said I’m not in the mood.”I flung Vanessa’s hand away from me and got off the bed. She was getting on my nerves these days.“Damien, come back.” She pleaded.“If I only needed you for sex, I would have hired a high-class escort. Think hard about that. Although,” A leer curled my lips. “You’d fit the bill.”I surveyed her body. She had dressed to kill, and it would have normally roused me. I was just too frustrated with her to be interested.Her mouth fell open, color climbing up her neck and staining her face red. Then her face scrunched up, furious. Vanessa grabbed a pillow and flung it with force. It flew past my head and thumped against the door behind me. She groaned and buried herself under the covers.Buttoning my shirt, I stepped over the pillow and out the door.I headed to Bonnie’s bedroom down the hall. It was late, but her light was still on. Vanessa was doing a poor job of following the schedule Celeste included in the notebook.I snuck i
Celeste’s POVRyan’s breath fanned hot against my ear in the darkness, his deep voice a velvet rumble against my skin. "That nervous, boss? Your heartbeat’s so loud I can feel it."I tilted my chin up, though I could barely see his face—just the glint of his eyes in the shadows. "Projecting much? You’re the one who’s shaking." My fingers brushed against his—and damn if they weren’t actually trembling.A slow, knowing laugh vibrated through his chest. "Liar." His thumb swept the inside of my wrist, just once, and my breath caught. "Your pulse is racing. Your skin’s gone hot." His lips grazed my earlobe, voice dropping to a whisper. "And if I kissed you right now, you’d melt."I swallowed hard, grateful for the dark hiding the flush on my cheeks. "Try me."He chuckled, the sound rough and promising. "Oh, I will." His hand slid up my arm, slow, possessive, his touch the only anchor in the blackness. "But first, I want to hear you admit it.""Admit what?""That you’re thinking about it."
Celeste’s POV“Where’s my kiss, Celeste?” Ryan asked, shooting me a cheeky grin.I groaned internally as Grace and I walked into the studio. I should have known he wouldn’t miss such a juicy opportunity to tease me.But I wasn’t above playing dirty.I dropped my handbag on my workbench and grabbed his face, planting a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Happy now?” I asked, ignoring my somersaulting heart.“I know I am,” Grace said, pecking his other cheek. “You’re a lifesaver, Ryan. We would’ve been screwed without those gemstones.” Ryan stood stock still between us, turning bright red right to the tips of his ears. We burst into laughter. Grace yelped, touching the corner of her mouth gingerly. “Don’t make me laugh–it hurts too much.” She moaned.I hurried to give Grace her medication.“What happened?” Ryan asked as she swallowed the pills. “Your face is covered in bruises.”“Oh, it’s nothing. Just some asshole I’ll never see again.” She said uncomfortably.His face creased with concern.“
Celeste’s POV“Good luck, Vanessa.” I said, sidestepping her to leave the hospital. “You’re going to need it.” She scrambled to block my path again, arms spread wide.“Is that all you have to say?” She asked, huffing. “I’m pregnant with your ex husband’s child.”“Am I supposed to congratulate you?” I asked, annoyed.“Don’t be bitter, Celeste.” She tutted. “We’re old friends and you can’t say one nice thing?”Poor girl didn’t know what she was in for.“My deepest sympathies.” I gave her a plastic smile. “Now beat it. I have an actual future to get to.”Her eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Where’s Damien right now? At work?” I smirked, reveling in her karma. “You’re going to end up raising that baby on your own while he’s off philandering behind your back.”Vanessa floundered, face reddening.“Congratulations.” My voice dripped with sarcasm. “You wanted my life so badly–it’s all yours.”“Damien would never do that to me.” This woman was clueless.“Oh, please.” I laughed
Celeste’s POVRage and heartache hit me like a tsunami. I forced the tidal wave of emotions down and looked over her, concerned.“Let me see how bad it is.” I said, squatting to her level.She took in a shaky breath.“God, I was so stupid, Celeste.” She said bitterly.I gave her a reproving look.“Grace, this was not your fault.”She shook her head. “But I should have seen the red flags.”I lifted her shirt and stifled a flush of fury–a large ugly bruise spread across her side. What if that asshole cracked one of her ribs?“You were right to warn me before.” Her voice fell to a regretful whisper. “God, I wish I listened. This is all my fault.”I lowered her shirt and held her by the shoulders.“Grace, listen to me carefully.” I said, pinning her with a stare that left no room for debate. “The piece of shit bastard who used you as a punching bag is to blame. No matter what you did or didn’t do, this isn’t your fault, okay?”She nodded, grimacing in pain with the movement.“Thanks, Cele
Celeste’s POVRyan had taken these past two days off to deal with family matters. Besides his divine cappuccinos, I missed his lively attitude and constant teasing–the studio felt too quiet without him. I stood abruptly from my design table, pressing a hand to the small of my back. The familiar ache radiated up my spine—too many hours hunched over gemstones under harsh lights. My brows furrowed as my gaze fell on Celine Mars’ order. Career changing opportunities like this didn’t come around twice.My phone was already pressed to my ear before I realized I'd dialed Rajiv again. The line crackled to life, his voice oozing false sympathy."Market fluctuations, Celeste. You understand how it is—""Don't give me that 'market fluctuations' bullshit, Rajiv," I snapped, pacing behind my worktable. A strand of hair escaped my bun, sticking to the sweat on my neck. "Just because I'm a solo studio doesn't mean you can pawn off second-rate stones on me. I need museum-grade musgravite. The kind y
Ryan’s POVI scooped a spoonful of souffle into my mouth and glanced at my father. He was reading through a report while taking slow bites of his omelet. The moment his plate was empty, I put down my spoon.“Father, I’d like to discuss a pressing matter.” I said, breaking the silence.He sighed. “Just as I suspected.” “What?” I asked, puzzled.He placed the report and his reading glasses on the exuberant dining table.“When was the last time you joined me for breakfast, son? You bolt out of here first thing in the morning.”I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.He shook his head. “What is it?”I sat straighter. “Father, why have you not responded to Rosemary’s proposals?”“They must have slipped through the cracks.” He said, brushing me off. “I get a lot of emails.”I stood my ground. “You don’t expect me to believe that, do you? It’s been three months.”He watched me with calculating eyes.“I ignored her deliberately.” Anger spiked at his blunt words.“Why would you purposely
Damien’s POVI don’t know how I let Vanessa browbeat me into taking the family to dinner at a trendy restaurant across town. It was crowded, overpriced and disappointing–a complete waste of time.Only half my attention was on the road as I tried to block out Bonnie and Vanessa’s bickering in the backseat. My company’s sales had plummeted these past three months, and I was running out of excuses to give the shareholders. I contemplated various strategies and schemes as I drove. My phone rang from the cupholder.It was my assistant.I groaned before answering–she never brought good tidings.“Miss Wilson, this better be important.” I said tersely.“Good evening, Mr. Kent.” Her voice was filled with apprehension. “I apologize for calling so late, but I thought you’d want to hear what I discovered immediately.” “Then spit it out.” “Mr. Brown’s secretary told me that our shareholders were preparing to withdraw funding.” She spoke in a nervous whisper. “It sounds like they’re planning a m
Celeste’s POVI shook my head despondently at Ryan’s question.“Maximilian hasn’t responded to any of my emails and follow-up messages.” I said, sighing. “I was really hoping this would be my big break.”He patted my shoulder. “The company is so large, your messages are probably just buried underneath other designers’ proposals.”“Even after three months?” I asked, unconvinced.“Crown Luxe didn’t get where they are today by blowing off brilliant designers like you.” He said with an encouraging smile. “I’m sure they’ll respond soon.”I laughed, swatting his shoulder. “You’re just trying to get on your boss’s good side.”“Is it working?” Humor danced in his eyes.I put a hand on my hip but couldn't keep the smile from my lips. “I think you’ll have better results doing actual work.”“Touché.” He held up his hands. “What should I get started with today?”I pointed towards the storeroom. “Please fetch the materials we need for the next order. They’re on the top shelf.”“I’m on it, boss.”
Celeste’s POVI sat at my workbench, examining an engagement ring I had designed and crafted.It gleamed under the studio lights, and I couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile. I nearly gave up on this dream three months ago.Snapping the jewelry box closed, I left it on my workbench and walked to the window. Things were looking up. My studio had been operating smoothly lately, and I had almost paid off my loan.But as I gazed at the street below, I couldn’t help feeling a little lost.Bonnie still wanted nothing to do with me.I had seen her a few times since the exhibition. It didn’t matter if I cooked her favorite meals at my apartment or took her on a fun outing–she was always in a hurry to go home to Damien and Vanessa.I heard the front door shut and hurried to dry my eyes–no one needed to see me crying first thing in the morning.Grace walked into my studio, her face glowing as she smiled at me.“Hey, love.” She gave me a hug. “You’re early as usual.”When we pulled apart, her