CELESTINA I woke up, groggy and confused, to find the space beside me cold and empty. The bed’s comforter was slightly crumpled where Sevastian had been, and my mind scrambled to piece together the events of last night. How did I manage to fall asleep in his arms? A shiver of irritation pricked my skin as I pushed the memory aside and sat up.The first thing that caught my eye was the black silk dress hanging on the armchair across the room. My brows knitted together. He had prepared clothes for me? Typical Sevastian, always trying to exert control over even the smallest details. I glanced around, but he was nowhere to be seen. Without dwelling on it further, I slipped out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom.The warm water cascading over my skin was a relief, washing away the remnants of last night’s turmoil. After drying off, I reached for the dress. The fabric was luxurious, hugging my curves snugly as I slipped it on. However, when I tried to fasten the tie at the back
SEVASTIAN As soon as Celestina stormed out of the room, I couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped me. She was both like a fire who can burn me to death at the same time an ice Queen for treating me cold. However, her reactions were endlessly entertaining. “Afraid of getting penetrated, mia cara?” I muttered under my breath, the smirk on my lips refusing to fade.I was about to follow her when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Glancing at the screen, I saw Hector’s name flashing. “What is it?” I asked as I answered.“Boss,” Hector began, his tone sharp and efficient. “After the announcement about your wife, it’s not just our men who’ve shown interest. Every organization under Ortega’s influence is making moves to attend the meeting.”That wasn’t unexpected. Power plays like this stirred up attention. “Good,” I replied. “We’ll be there in a few minutes. Make sure everything is in place.” I ended the call without waiting for his response, already moving to track down Celestina.When I s
CELESTINAThe silence in the car was thick, almost suffocating, but I refused to break it first. My chest rose and fell with a quiet intensity as I kept the gun steady, the barrel still pointed at Sevastian’s most vulnerable spot. His bloodied thigh was a reminder of my resolve. He underestimated me, and that was his first mistake.The hint of a strained chuckle came from him, and I flicked my eyes to his face. That damn grin of his was still plastered there, as though he found the situation entertaining. “What a remarkable shot, mia cara,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly, tinged with the pain I’d caused. “I know you might enjoy this, but advise you not to damage the part that could bring you happiness.” He added, while emphasizing his “part.”My jaw clenched, and I couldn’t stop the scoff that escaped my lips. He had the audacity to flirt with me when he was bleeding and staring down the barrel of my gun. A very typical Sevastian, always confident, infuriating and pretty
SEVASTIAN As Celestina stepped out of the car, every movement was full of elegance and confidence, which I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The imprint of her red lipstick still burned on my cheek, a mocking reminder of her audacity. My hand brushed against the spot, and a smirk tugged at my lips. How amusing, she thought she could win this game. I adjusted my tie, still slightly disheveled from what she had done a while ago. It seems my wife has a bad habit of pulling my necktie. I wonder what she will look like if I use this to tie that slender wrist of her. My gaze suddenly shifted when I saw my men stationed around the entrance of Triton Club, turning their attention toward us. Their sharp eyes flickered to Celestina first, assessing her, then to me, scanning for any sign of problems.Their gaze lowered on my thighs, I could even see their thoughts as if I became weak after marrying Valeztina daughter. Weakness…That word was a curse in our world, and for a brief moment, I
CELESTINAThe moment Donovan left, Sevastian didn’t waste time. His grip on my waist loosened, but his authoritative presence lingered. He led me down a corridor to the club’s VIP room. As soon as the heavy doors swung open, my stomach churned. The room was large, lavish, and stifling.A massive rectangular table dominated the space, surrounded by men whose gazes immediately locked on Sevastian. The moment they saw him, they rose in unison, a show of respect that seemed almost ritualistic. Their eyes flickered to me briefly, confusion mingling with curiosity, but no one dared to speak just yet.I scanned the room, my gaze inevitably landing on Donovan. He was seated farther down the table, watching me silently, his expression unreadable. Something in his stare unsettled me, but I quickly buried the feeling beneath a mask of indifference. As I quickly ignored Donovan’s existence, I immediately notice Sevastian’s presence. He pulled me a chair. There's only one chair here and if i
CELESTINAMy hands faintly shake at the scene I just witnessed. No matter how much I tried to steady them, I couldn’t completely mask the way my fingers trembled against the edge of the table. I clasped them tightly together on my lap, hoping no one else would notice, though my heart thundered in my chest.I always knew that Sevastian’s cruelty is beyond imagination. But witnessing it firsthand, seeing the life drain from Norman’s body, was a stark reminder of the monster I had tied myself to.My throat felt dry as my gaze briefly shifted to Donovan. He was watching me intently, his eyes sharp, as if trying to decipher my every move. The piercing weight of his stare made me feel exposed, vulnerable, as though he could sense the slight flinch I’d tried so hard to suppress when Sevastian pulled the trigger.Was it possible he’d noticed? Could he see the crack in my mask? I forced myself to maintain composure, drawing a slow breath to steady my nerves. But even as I sat there, compose
SEVASTIAN I sat on the edge of the bed, the ripped fabric of Celestina’s dress clutched in my hands. Slowly and methodically, I tied it around my wounded leg, pulling it tight enough to stem the bleeding. The sting was sharp, but it barely registered. Suddenly, my attention was caught by Celestina’s confusion etched across her face.Her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at me, her brows furrowed. “Why haven’t you treated that yet?” She asked, her voice tinged with irritation. “You had plenty of time when I got out first in the car.”I smirked, leaning back slightly as I knotted the makeshift bandage. “Why?” I repeated, letting the word hang in the air for a moment before meeting her eyes. “Because darling, I wanted you to feel guilty.”Her reaction was priceless. A mixture of anger and disbelief flickered across her face, her lips parting as if to retort, but no words came immediately. “Guilty? For what?” Finally, she found her voice.“For this,” I replied smoothly, gestu
SEVASTIANThe room had gone quiet, but my gaze stayed locked on her. Celestina moved across the space with a kind of effortless grace that I couldn’t tear my eyes from. She wasn’t just beautiful… She was devastatingly captivating, the kind of woman who could bring men to their knees without lifting a finger. Every step she took, every sway of her hips, felt deliberate, calculated, yet maddeningly natural.She reached for the cabinet, her fingers brushing against the smooth wood as she searched for something, probably a robe. The faintest rustle of fabric followed as she moved, and I found myself caught in the rhythm of her. It wasn’t just the way she looked, God knows how stunning this woman is. It was the way she held herself, the confidence woven into every gesture, every turn of her head.Her hair cascaded down her back like ink, shimmering faintly under the soft lighting, and for a moment, I hated how easily she could undo me without even trying. My chest tightened, heat coil
SEVASTIAN I stood there, watching Natasha as she held Celestina in her arms. For a moment, I almost didn’t recognize her. The cousin I knew was not someone who offered gentleness to anyone except to her children. She is not soft and definitely was not gentle. She was a woman who spoke with knives and carried death in her shadow. The kind of person who never bent, and never yielded to anyone.Yet here she was, whispering to my wife with a quiet patience that I had only ever seen directed at one person before, to her son, Neo.Something twisted in my chest.I had witnessed Natasha send men to their deaths without so much as a blink. I also had seen her coldly step over the bodies of those who had crossed her. And after losing Noe, Neo’s twin brother, she had only become more ruthless and cold. Her rage had hardened into something unshakable, a force that could tear through anything in her path. She didn’t mourn with tears. She mourned with vengeance.But now…Now that she held Cele
CELESTINAThe door clicked shut behind Sevastian, leaving only Natasha and me in the dimly lit room. A heavy silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken thoughts.I patted the edge of the bed, silently asking her to come closer. She sighed, clearly hesitant, before finally sitting down beside me.“I assume there’s someone in your family who knows about hacking,” she said, her voice low but certain.The question caught me off guard. My fingers tensed against the sheets. She wasn’t asking out of curiosity, she already knew the answer. I hesitated, unsure if I should confirm it aloud, so I simply gave a slow nod.Another beat of silence came. Before I could say anything, the door creaked open again. Sevastian stepped inside, holding a tray with a glass of juice and a plate of sandwiches.Natasha arched a brow at him, her expression unreadable.“What?” he asked, feigning innocence as he set the tray on the bedside table. His gaze flickered to me. “You didn’t eat dinner, right? So,
SEVASTIAN I couldn’t wait enough to go back home. My mind raced, my hands gripped the wheel with a fury I couldn’t contain. Every mile between me and Natasha’s house felt like an eternity. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, about my wife, Celestina Ortega.What the hell happened? Why hasn't Natasha informed me yet? I bombarded her with messages and calls but she didn’t answer. When I finally arrived, my body was already taut with tension, the kind that only came when I was about to face something dangerous, or something that could shatter me.I stormed into the house, barely sparing the staff a glance. I had one focus, and one focus only.“Elena!” I barked as I crossed the foyer, my voice sharp as a whip.The head maid appeared quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she approached. Her eyes darted nervously, sensing the dark storm brewing inside me.“Where is she?” I demanded.“M-madam Celestina is in the guest room, sir.” Elena stammered.“Follow me.” I snapped, not needing an
SEVASTIAN I couldn’t wait enough to go back home. My mind raced, my hands gripped the wheel with a fury I couldn’t contain. Every mile between me and Natasha’s house felt like an eternity. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, about my wife, Celestina Ortega.What the hell happened? Why hasn't Natasha informed me yet? I bombarded her with messages and calls but she didn’t answer. When I finally arrived, my body was already taut with tension, the kind that only came when I was about to face something dangerous, or something that could shatter me.I stormed into the house, barely sparing the staff a glance. I had one focus, and one focus only.“Elena!” I barked as I crossed the foyer, my voice sharp as a whip.The head maid appeared quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she approached. Her eyes darted nervously, sensing the dark storm brewing inside me.“Where is she?” I demanded.“M-madam Celestina is in the guest room, sir.” Elena stammered.“Follow me.” I snapped, not needing an
SEVASTIAN I couldn’t wait enough to go back home. My mind raced, my hands gripped the wheel with a fury I couldn’t contain. Every mile between me and Natasha’s house felt like an eternity. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, about my wife, Celestina Ortega.What the hell happened? Why hasn't Natasha informed me yet? I bombarded her with messages and calls but she didn’t answer. When I finally arrived, my body was already taut with tension, the kind that only came when I was about to face something dangerous, or something that could shatter me.I stormed into the house, barely sparing the staff a glance. I had one focus, and one focus only.“Elena!” I barked as I crossed the foyer, my voice sharp as a whip.The head maid appeared quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she approached. Her eyes darted nervously, sensing the dark storm brewing inside me.“Where is she?” I demanded.“M-madam Celestina is in the guest room, sir.” Elena stammered.“Follow me.” I snapped, not needing an
SEVASTIAN I couldn’t wait enough to go back home. My mind raced, my hands gripped the wheel with a fury I couldn’t contain. Every mile between me and Natasha’s house felt like an eternity. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, about my wife, Celestina Ortega.What the hell happened? Why hasn't Natasha informed me yet? I bombarded her with messages and calls but she didn’t answer. When I finally arrived, my body was already taut with tension, the kind that only came when I was about to face something dangerous, or something that could shatter me.I stormed into the house, barely sparing the staff a glance. I had one focus, and one focus only.“Elena!” I barked as I crossed the foyer, my voice sharp as a whip.The head maid appeared quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she approached. Her eyes darted nervously, sensing the dark storm brewing inside me.“Where is she?” I demanded.“M-madam Celestina is in the guest room, sir.” Elena stammered.“Follow me.” I snapped, not needing an
SEVASTIAN I couldn’t wait enough to go back home. My mind raced, my hands gripped the wheel with a fury I couldn’t contain. Every mile between me and Natasha’s house felt like an eternity. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, about my wife, Celestina Ortega.What the hell happened? Why hasn't Natasha informed me yet? I bombarded her with messages and calls but she didn’t answer. When I finally arrived, my body was already taut with tension, the kind that only came when I was about to face something dangerous, or something that could shatter me.I stormed into the house, barely sparing the staff a glance. I had one focus, and one focus only.“Elena!” I barked as I crossed the foyer, my voice sharp as a whip.The head maid appeared quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she approached. Her eyes darted nervously, sensing the dark storm brewing inside me.“Where is she?” I demanded.“M-madam Celestina is in the guest room, sir.” Elena stammered.“Follow me.” I snapped, not needing an
VALERIAThe door slammed shut behind Sevastian and his men, and the mansion felt like a hollow shell. The weight of the silence suffocated me, and I couldn’t stop the raw, burning anger rising within me.How could he know?I couldn’t accept it.Not the humiliation. Not the fact that Sevastian Ortega had seen through my entire fucking game.I had spent so much time perfecting my act, pretending to be Celestina but in the end, I was nothing but an imitation. A failed attempt.I could still feel the sting of his grip around my neck. The suffocating pressure of his fingers cutting off my air, cutting off my control.It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I was supposed to win. I was supposed to take her place, make him mine. But instead, I had been exposed weak, powerless, and beneath him.I couldn’t control the anger that surged within me.My hands, shaking with fury, grabbed the nearest object in my path, a vase. I hurled it across the room, watching as it smashed against the wall, shar
SEVASTIANA faint glow pulsed against my wrist.It was subtle, barely noticeable but to me, it was a signal loud as a gunshot that Natasha had successfully done it.Celestina was out.Relief flickered in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. Not yet, while I’m facing this witch. Velaria was still beneath me, her lips parted, her eyes filled with something wicked. Huh. This bitch she thought she had successfully fooled me, what an idiot and foolish woman she is. Before she could reach for me again, I moved.My hand shot up, wrapping around her throat in a brutal grip.Her smirk vanished.She gasped, her nails clawing at my wrist as she tried to pry me off, but I tightened my hold, watching as her face twisted from arrogance to panic.“Did you really think I wouldn’t know?” My voice was a deadly pan.Velaria choked, her fingers scrambling to push me away. She was strong, but I was stronger.I leaned closer, my breath fanning against her ear.“You disgust me.”A small, pitiful sound e