SEVASTIANThe door clicked shut behind Celestina, her scent lingering faintly in the air, a mix of sweetness and fire that matched her perfectly. I stood there for a moment, my hand instinctively brushing through my hair in frustration.What the hell just happened?She had pushed me, teased me, toyed with me,and somehow walked out of here like she was the one in control. Most people wouldn’t dare to breathe the wrong way around me, let alone pull half the stunts like she just did. Yet, Celestina didn’t flinch, not once.And for some reasons I couldn’t fully explain, I found myself smiling.She’s different, I thought, almost amused. Bold, defiant and reckless. She wasn’t afraid of me, not in the slightest and it was damn infuriating, thrilling and maybe a little dangerous.As my mind churned over her parting words, the door swung open abruptly, jolting me from my thoughts. I straightened, my expression immediately shifting to its usual cold mask.My father, Emilio, strode into the
CELESTINA When I left the room and gave my idiotic father a signal that the deal would be successful, his annoying prideful look ruined my day. As much as possible, I don’t want to spend any more minute in this fucking place so I head out first in the exit. As I stepped out of the mansion, a sleek black car park in front of me. The driver is one of Sevastian’s men,I looked at him and he seemed reluctant to even open the door for me. His hesitation was amusing, but I wasn’t in the mood for patience.I arched a brow at him, and that was all it took. Without another word, he scrambled to follow my silent command. I wasn’t their boss, but I was someone they couldn’t afford to ignore.When I told him where to take me, his eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly masked it with a respectful nod.The drive here had been quiet, the tension between myself and Sevastian still clinging to my skin like an unshakable shadow. But now, standing at the threshold of his home, I let myself take
SEVASTIANCelestina has no idea how close I am to snapping. She pushes every button, tests every boundary, and for what? To get a rise out of me? She doesn’t understand, can’t possibly understand the level of chaos she’s toying with.When I heard she got into that damn car, the one sent by our enemy, I thought I’d lose my mind. My chest still feels tight, the phantom echo of the panic I swallowed down the second I realized what she’d done. Does she even realize the danger she put herself in? The danger she put me in?Someone might have orchestrated the situation. And seeing how Celestina was calm, it only answered my suspicion. I’m not stupid, my mind instantly jumps to her father, Carson. The man who has been circling me like a vulture for years, looking for his chance to strike. If it’s the other mafia, they’d have used her against me. Tied her up, spilled her blood, made her a message to me. I grit my teeth, the sharp ache grounding me in the moment. It had to be her father
SEVASTIANA dull, throbbing pain radiated through my skull as I slowly open my eyes. My vision blurred for a moment, the dim light overhead casting a faint, uneven glow around the room. I groaned, my head pounding with every slight movement.Blinking to focus, I shifted and immediately felt the bite of ropes against my wrists. My hands were tied behind me, the rough fibers digging into my skin. Glancing down, I realized I was seated in a sturdy wooden chair, the legs bolted to the floor.The situation snapped into focus, and my jaw clenched as the memories flooded back. The whiskey. The kiss. Her lips.Celestina…I tested the ropes subtly, shifting my wrists against the coarse fibers binding them. However, it didn’t budge, not even a fraction. Whoever had tied me knew what they were doing. Each knot was expertly crafted, tight enough to hold me without cutting off circulation. This wasn’t the work of an amateur. It is the work of someone who is always used to this set-up, a pro.
SEVASTIAN Celestina stepped closer, her slender fingers touching the ropes binding my wrists. I watched her warily, the fire in her dark eyes a warning. She was about to loose the knot when she suddenly froze, her movements came to halt as if second thoughts whispered in her ear. Slowly, she straightened, creating a purposeful distance between us. “I was about to free you,” She spoke evenly, her tone calm yet charged with quiet authority. “But then I realized, what guarantee do I have that you’ll actually behave, mio caro?” Her words hung in the air like a challenge. I glared at her, my eyes narrowing into sharp slits as she stood there calm and unshaken, that made my blood boil. Her presence felt like a taunt, every inch of her radiating confidence while I sat helpless. I yanked against the restraints, my wrists aching as the bonds dug into my skin. My muscles tensed with the effort, and the ropes dug into my skin, burning as I fought them, but I didn’t care. Pain didn’t m
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,
SEVASTIANAfter whispering into her ear I slowly pulled away, savoring the sight of her flushed cheeks. A smirk tugged at my lips. Celestina’s amber eyes full of bright, and alluring glared at me with a mixture of irritation. And behind those emotions, there is something else she was trying desperately to hide.But I know that one day, whatever secret she may hide. I will certainly uncover it, but for now… I’ll play along with her plan. If she desperately wants my trust, I’ll give it to her under the disguise that I truly believe her, even if it's not. It’s hard to trust anyone, especially if she’s the daughter of the enemy. Right now, I want to have fun with her little scheme, looking further what she can offer if I shattered her dreams completely. “Well…” I let the word hang in the air, my gaze drinking her in as I paused intentionally. “Can you handle a devil like me, mia cara?”Her delicate brows furrowed in irritation, the lines adding to her allure rather than diminishing
CELESTINAMy chest heaved The moment Sevastian left the room, I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. slightly as the tension began to dissipate, but my thoughts remained clouded with unease. Sevastian wasn’t the type to forgive and forget not after what I’d done. He was a man who always got what he wanted, one way or another. The glint in his eyes earlier wasn’t just anger, it was full of calculation and hiding some scheme. I sat on the edge of the bed, letting my mind race with the possibilities.Was he plotting revenge? Perhaps something subtler but just as devastating? Knowing him, he wouldn’t simply let this slide. I hated how unpredictable he could be. It kept me on edge, constantly wondering what his next move might be.Deciding I needed a moment to clear my head, I made my way to the adjoining bathroom. The warm light inside provided a strange comfort. I turned on the faucet, letting the water run until it steamed. Stripping out of my clothes, I stepped in
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