Chapter 11: Hiding The Truth

CELESTINA 

Every warning Sevastian threw my way felt like a knife pressing against my throat. I wasn’t immune to his wrath, no matter how hard I tried to hide it. 

His gaze, sharp and unrelenting, felt like it was carving holes into me, stripping away every layer of my confidence. 

My body trembled beneath my calm exterior, but I refused to let it show. Fear wouldn’t save me. 

Suddenly, Leo’s face flashed in my mind, his innocent smile, and his genuine trusting eyes. 

My father’s voice echoed like a curse, threatening to use the boy as a pawn in his twisted schemes. I wouldn’t let it happen, I couldn't. 

I momentarily stared at Sevastian, he was the devil himself. A ruthless, cold, and dangerous mafia. 

And if selling my body and soul to him meant getting control over the Ortega operation and protecting Leo, then I’d gladly make that deal.

Death didn’t scare me as much as the thought of Leo’s future in my father’s hand.

Sevastian leaned back slightly, his piercing stare locked on me, but the tension in the room only thickened. 

His anger radiated off him in waves, and I knew I was testing his limits. I knew he’d break me if he wanted to, but I also knew I couldn’t stop. 

Not now that I have the chance to save Leo away from Carson’s manipulative plan. 

“Are you willing to cooperate with me now?” My voice was steady, even though my insides churned. 

I tilted my head slightly, my eyes meeting him in a silent challenge. “I’ll give you what you want, mio caro. My body, my soul. Anything. Even death, if that’s what it takes.”

His jaw clenched, his gaze narrowing as if he was trying to see through me. 

“What makes you so desperate?” He asked, his voice a quiet blend of precision and curiosity. “What are you hiding?”

My heart thundered in my chest, but I didn’t flinch. 

“Nothing,” I lied, forcing a small, bitter smile onto my lips. “I want to prove myself, that’s all. I want to show them that I’m worthy to wear the Ortega’s name.  That I can be more than just your wife.”

His eyes stayed on me, probing, analyzing, dissecting every word I said. I could feel his suspicion tightening around me like a noose, but I held my ground.

I showed my confidence in him even though I felt my knees tremble in his dark and dangerous stare. 

I wouldn’t let him know about Leo, and no one should be. 

“Worthy of what?” he finally said, his voice a deadly calm.

“Of standing by your side,” I replied smoothly, even as the truth burned at the back of my throat. “Of proving I’m not just a pawn in my father’s game.”

Sevastian let out a humorless laugh, the sound sharp and insulting. “You think you can fool me, Celestina? You want power. Control. Fine. But don’t think for a second I’ll trust you.”

His words stung, but I expected them. He wasn’t wrong to doubt me. I wouldn’t trust me either if I were in his position. 

“I don’t need your trust,” I said softly, stepping closer. “I just need your cooperation. Agree to work with me, Sevastian. Let me handle the operation. Let me prove I can be of use to you.”

His silence was deafening. His gaze felt like it was piercing straight through me, and for a moment, I thought I might crumble under its weight. 

But then, he leaned forward, a predatory smirk curling at his lips.

“If you want to play this game, Celestina,” His words flowed like honey, but there was coldness and warning in every sentence he spoke. “You’d better be prepared to lose everything. Because once I take what you’re offering, there’s no turning back.”

I met his smirk with a calm, steady look, even as my hands curled into fists at my sides. 

“I don’t intend to lose,” I replied. “Not to you or anyone else.”

Inside, I prayed that it was true.

Sevastian’s smirk deepened, his tone laced with mockery. 

“Great,” he drawled, leaning back slightly. “Open my phone. There’s a name  you’ll find, his name is Hector.” He ordered, “Dial it.”

Without hesitation, I retrieved his phone, my fingers quickly finding the contact. 

My heart pounded as I dialed the number, but I kept my expression neutral. When Hector picked up, I brought the phone closer to Sevastian’s ear.

“Hector,” Sevastian’s voice was smooth and commanding, as if he wasn’t tied to a chair just moments ago. “Listen carefully. From now on, treat Celestina the same way you treat me. No exceptions, understood?”

A muffled voice responded on the other end, firm and obedient.

“Good,” Sevastian continued, his words measured. “Also, there’s an urgent meeting tomorrow. Gather all the directors and my men. I’ll be bringing my wife, Celestina.”

Even though I didn't hear much, I am certain that Hector didn’t question him. It seems like when Sevastian talks, he means to obey and I doubt even killing someone right now he will do it without asking him why. 

With a final word of agreement, the call ended.

I placed the phone on the table and moved to loosen the ropes around Sevastian’s hands. 

“Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” I murmured, but my breath hitched when I noticed the ropes slackened. 

My eyes widened.

The bastard had already broken free.

I stepped back instinctively, my voice sharp. “Since when?”

Sevastian stood up slowly, rolling his shoulders like a predator shaking off restraints. 

His smirk held a predatory edge, a maddening blend of charm and menace. 

“Since you were too busy playing games,” he said, his voice a low hum of amusement.

I retreated another step, but it was pointless. His hands shot out, grabbing my waist and pulling me against him in one swift motion. 

The sudden movement sent a jolt through me, and before I could react, his lips brushed against the curve of my neck.

“Mi esposa,” he murmured, his voice dripping with dark amusement as his kisses trailed down to my shoulder. “You play such dangerous games for someone so fragile.”

I shivered, not from fear but from the vexing warmth of his touch. “Fragile?” I forced out, trying to sound unaffected. “If I’m fragile, then what does that make you, Sevastian?”

His chuckle was deep and sexy, vibrating against my skin. 

“Amused,” he whispered, his grip on my waist tightening just slightly. “Very amused.”

I swallowed, forcing my hands to stay steady against his chest. “You should be careful,” I said, tilting my head just enough to meet his piercing gaze. “You might start liking these games, Mi esposo.”

He smirked, his lips grazing my ear. “Who says I haven’t already?”