CELESTINAAfter Elena showed me to the guest room, I finally felt a semblance of ease. The room was warm and inviting, its soft hues of cream and gold a stark contrast to the cold confines of Sevastian’s world. Yet, even as I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind wandered restlessly.What about my friends? Had they managed to escape safely? Or have they already been caught? I shook my head. No, they shouldn’t be. I need them to protect Leo from the Ortega’s. If I can find a place to settle, I will get Leo and bring her to Switzerland. That’s only the safest place I can hide him. A place away from those people who only want to harm him. Knock! Knock!A sudden knock at the door startled me, and made me flinch. Before I could respond, a calm, polite voice spoke from the other side.“Ma’am, this is Dolores, one of the servants in the mansion. The head maid, Elena, has asked me to assist you and escort you to Madam’s office.”I rose quickly and walked to the door, opening it to find a ki
NATASHAThe moment I received the call that Sevastian was on his way, I knew I had to act quickly. I immediately called Neo into my office, his curious eyes lighting up as he noticed my serious expression.“Neo, listen carefully,” I began, crouching down to meet his gaze. “Your uncle Sevastian is coming, and I need you to hide your Aunt Celestina in your secret place. Don’t let her out until I say it’s safe.”Neo tilted his head, a hint of mischief playing on his lips. “Why do I need to hide her?”I sighed, trying to keep my tone calm. “Because your uncle is in one of his moods, and if Celestina finds out he’s here, she might try to run again. You don’t want her to get hurt, right?”His face turned serious as he nodded. “Got it. But... should I tell her uncle Sevastian is your cousin?”My expression hardened. “No. Not a word. She doesn’t need to know that right now. Just focus on keeping her safe, alright?”He gave me a firm nod, and with that, he was off to carry out my instructions.
SEVASTIANAfter Celestina’s disappearance, I knew someone within my estate had aided her escape. There was no way she could have slipped past my security alone, and it was equally unlikely my men failed to locate her without external interference. The timing wasn’t coincidental, Natasha’s abrupt departure from the mansion aligned perfectly with my wife’s vanishing act. It all pointed to one conclusion. Natasha had hidden her, and I was certain she was here, in her villa. Hiding somewhere away from eyes. As I lounged on the couch. Suddenly, someone interrupted my peace. “Sir, your room is already prepared. Would you like to see it now?”I looked up to see who it was. It was Elena, Natasha’s trusted head maid in this villa. She’s standing beside me. “I’ll check it later,” I replied casually, my fingers lazily swiping at the screen.Her gaze flickered to my phone. “I heard your wife is missing,” she remarked. “You don’t seem too concerned, though.” She added while darting at the sc
NATASHAWhile heading back to Neo’s room, the entire villa was suddenly plunged into darkness. A sudden blackout came into my villa. I froze, momentarily startled, before I heard the unmistakable sound of hurried footsteps approaching. Elena’s familiar figure emerged from the faint glow of emergency lights that lined the hallways.“What happened?” I asked, my tone sharp but calm.“Ma’am, there’s been an issue with the electricity,” Elena informed me, her voice steady despite the situation.“An issue?” I repeated, my eyebrows knitting together in suspicion.Elena hesitated, then added with a pointed look, “To be precise, someone sabotaged the system.”My lips curved into a slow smirk. Of course, it was Sevastian. That arrogant fool, did he really think cutting the power would somehow give him an advantage? How painfully predictable.“Tell Malric to fix it immediately,” I instructed. Elena nodded. “Yes, ma’am,” she said before hurrying off.Left alone, I leaned casually against the
SEVASTIANCelestina trembled in my arms, her frail body pressing against mine as though she were trying to melt into the safety I offered. Her breathing was shallow, each inhale shaky, as if the air itself betrayed her.“Wife…” I called softly, my voice as gentle as I could manage. But she didn’t respond. Her lips moved faintly, forming words too fragile to carry far.“Please… stop…” she whispered, the sound so faint it nearly broke me. Her voice was drenched in fear, hollow, as though she were still trapped in whatever dark memory haunted her.I tightened my hold, not to confine her, but to offer the comfort she wouldn’t ask for. Her fragility was far from the Celestina I used to know.Celestina was bold, confident, and unapologetically cocky. She lived to challenge me, whether with her words or her piercing, defiant stares.And she refused to let me see her vulnerable side, always guarding herself against me. But today was different, far worse than I expected. She endured my pu
CELESTINASevastian gently laid me down on the bed, his movements surprisingly careful, as if I am something fragile that needs to be taken good care of. I looked up at him, studying his face — sharp angles, a strong jawline, and those piercing eyes that usually carried a cold and deadly warning to those who offended him. But now, they were different, It was softened in a way I wasn’t used to see. I still couldn’t quite wrap my mind around how he had managed to find me or why he had come at all. Yet, despite everything, a part of me felt... thankful. I was thankful that he was here, that he hadn’t hesitated to pull me out of that room. Ironically, Sevastian was known for being a cold ruthless devil, he was feared by many. But who wouldn’t think that he’s capable of being gentle? When he wasn’t even gentle on our first night? He was rough like an animal who’s been thirsty for many years. But somehow, what he did, comforted me. His presence brings light when I was consumed by my
SEVASTIAN I felt a sense of relief settle over me now that I could see her fiery spirit returning. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Celestina. Just a short while ago, she was trembling, lost in a terror I couldn’t fully comprehend. But now, the spark was back in her eyes, the confidence I’d grown to admire returning to its rightful place.“You’re blushing,” I teased when I noticed the redness on her cheeks, “Does that mean you’ve finally fallen under the spell of my unparalleled handsome—”Before I could even finish the sentence, something soft smacked me square in the face. I blinked and startled, as the pillow she’d just hurled at me tumbled onto the bed. Slowly, I lowered my hand, only to see her glaring at me, her cheeks a brilliant shade of red.“You’re damn annoying Ortega. Get out!” she snapped, pointing toward the door as if that would make me obey.I arched an eyebrow, amusement tugging at my lips. Her stubbornness was adorable, like a kitten trying to hiss at a lion
CELESTINA I am still annoyed at Sevatian’s cocky antics, yet somehow, I can’t deny that I was smitten by his devilish handsome face that I can’t erase from my mind. He’s like a sexy devil, alluring me to dive in his beauty. He was like a magnet, pulling me into his charm that is hardly to resist. He’s also dangerous… Dangerous to my fragile heart, who slowly opened a space for him to live. And that kiss... Damn him. It was hot and tempting to do more. Even though I protested to his kisses and tried to push him away I was still powerless, in strength, and emotion. My lips still tingled from the warmth he gave, and as much as I hated to admit it, I was craving more.Without realizing it, my fingers brushed over my lips. I frowned, shaking my head. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t supposed to be swooning over him. Yet here I was, letting his lingering warmth clouded my thoughts.I glanced toward the door he’d left. My pride telling me I shouldn’t follow him,but curiosity gnawed at me.
NATASHAAfter Sevastian and Leah left, my attention was directly focused on the woman in front me. She’s happily having a chat with the man beside her. A smirk painted on my lips. The world had a cruel way of playing tricks on us, making the dead walk among the living as if they had never vanished in the first place.She vanished in thin air and afterwards, we didn't hear anything from her. As if she was utterly gone. Celestina...I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.She was standing there, effortlessly gaining everyone’s attention in the room, with her crimson dress that clung to her making her curves more transparent. She looks like a woman who came to dominate this room, no. I would rather say that she came today to devour everyone and to show the power she holds. By watching her from afar, I could tell that she’s untouchable. Huh! So this is what grand entrance she made? What a clever thing. It had been a year since we all thought she was dead, a year since she disappeare
CELESTINAA smirk tugged at my lips as I scanned the room, my gaze drifting over familiar faces frozen in shock. It had been a year since I meticulously planned this moment. After a year of suffering, bleeding, and fighting myself to survive from that wrath, I was able to reclaim my freedom. Now, standing in front of them, feeling the weight of all their stunned gazes on me, it was all worth it.I could see the how and why in their faces. In my peripheral vision, I caught sight of Valeria, my twin sister.Her wide eyes, the slight parting of her lips, the way her fingers tightened around the delicate stem of her glass. Shock, disbelief, questions that she dared not voice aloud. She wasn’t the only one. The Ortega’s, too, sat in varying degrees of surprise, their expressions wavering between confusion and wariness.Good. It’s working under my plan. But then, just as I basked in the silent triumph of my return, my gaze shifted and I felt the floor tilt beneath me.Sevastian, my e
VALERIAOne year and twelve months of silence. Three hundred and sixty-five days of not knowing whether my twin sister was alive or buried in some unmarked grave.A full year since Celestina disappeared.The last memory I had of her was burned into my mind like a scar that refused to fade — her voice, calm, and firm as she proved that Valeztina wasn’t responsible for Amara’s murder. It should have been a moment of clarity, a revelation that set everything right.Instead, it was the spark that ignited chaos.Priscilla Ortega had spiraled into madness, dragging the rest of the Ortega’s into her personal warpath. Alliances shifted. Blood was spilled. Loyalties fractured. And through it all, we searched, we waited and we hope that one day she would return. But Celestina never came back.And now, a year later, I stood at an event that felt meaningless, my fingers wrapped around the stem of a champagne flute I had no intention of drinking. The air buzzed with the low hum of conversa
PRISCILLAThe moment Mateo and Kai escorted Valeria to the guest room, I turned to Natasha, my expression unreadable."It seems those three know more than they’re letting on." My voice was low, but there was no mistaking the edge in my tone.Natasha exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "They’ve seen what’s happening inside Valeztina. That much is clear."I narrowed my eyes. Valeria’s reaction earlier—it wasn’t just grief. It was knowledge. She had felt something, and now I was sure. The BlackEagle protégé—Celestina’s own people—were hiding something."Let’s start with that woman. Lilia." I made my decision quickly. If there was anyone who would crack first, it would be her.Natasha gave me a curt nod before we both turned and left the drawing room, our steps swift and deliberate as we headed toward the secluded chamber where I had given them sanctuary.The door creaked slightly as Natasha pushed it open with more force than necessary.Lilia jumped.The second she saw us, she panicked,
VALERIAThe moment I saw her, my heart nearly stopped.Celestina.She wasn’t supposed to be here.Panic clawed up my throat as I stormed down the stairs, my pulse a relentless drum against my ribs. I barely registered the sharp sting of cold air when I shoved open the heavy doors and grabbed her arm, yanking her away from the mansion.“What the hell are you doing here?” My voice was a low, harsh whisper, but the fear bleeding into my words made it shake.She didn’t flinch. Didn’t hesitate. Her gaze met mine—empty, detached. A stark contrast to the sister I used to know.“Why?” she asked flatly, her tone devoid of warmth. “Am I not welcome in my own home?”Home.That word felt wrong. Home hadn’t existed for a long time, not for either of us.I tightened my grip on her biceps, fingers digging in. “You—you didn’t see my email?” My voice rose, but I forced it back down, wary of prying ears. “I told you, Celestina. I fucking warned you. No matter what happens, you cannot come back here!”S
SEVASTIANIt was 5:30 in the evening when I returned to Natasha’s mansion, my pulse a steady roar in my ears. The moment I received the call from Aunt Priscilla—that Celestina had left, leaving Leo and her friends under Ortega’s care—I felt something inside me snap.I barely remembered the drive. I only remembered pressing my foot down on the gas, gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles turned white, and replaying every single thing she had said, every moment leading up to this.But none of it prepared me for the sight of her empty room.I stood there, breathing heavily, my eyes sweeping over the vacant space that once carried her presence. The scent of her perfume still lingered in the air—a soft, delicate trace of jasmine and something uniquely hers. The bed was made, the closet doors slightly ajar, but stripped bare of her clothes.Gone.The realization settled like a blade to my gut, twisting cruelly.I stormed out, my strides heavy with barely restrained fury as I made my way to N
CELESTINAThree days.It’s been three days since Sevastian left without looking back.Three days since I stood in that room, contemplating my choice with regret. I’d spent my entire hours crying and blaming myself for my reckless decision. Now, as I sat here inside of the drawing room, staring at the documents spread before me, I could feel the weight of my decision pressing against my chest like a slowly tightening noose.“Sis, are you okay?”Lilia’s voice snapped me from my daze, her soft eyes searching mine with concern.I forced a small, reassuring smile. “Yes.” My voice was steady, even if my heart wasn’t. “Have you prepared everything?”“Yes. All that’s left is your signature,” she confirmed, neatly stacking the papers in front of me.The pen felt heavy in my grip.I started signing our divorce paper, it was my last chance to hold the Ortega name. His name, the only way to confirm that I was his. Mateo, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly broke the silence. “Do you reall
CELESTINAClick!The sharp snap of the lock sent a thrill down my spine.Sevastian’s arms were still around me, his presence firm and tough, instead of pulling away, I held him tighter.Maybe it was because of the alcohol clouding my thoughts. The heat is still lingering in my veins from my recent conversation with Natasha. Or maybe it was simply because it was him.The moment my body touched his, heat coiled inside me, it was thick and unquenchable. The sensation grew worse, it became stronger when my fingers brushed over the coolness of his skin in his neck. A dangerous contrast between fire and ice. Or maybe, Natasha was right. I was a bitch in heat, that once I felt his touch I couldn’t help but to feel a tingle sensation between my thighs. And I was starting to lose my head, his strong perfume is like a temptress to my lustful desire towards him. Before I could even process what was happening, Sevastian moved.In one swift motion, he threw us onto the bed. His body above mi
SEVASTIANThe whole room was dimly lit, with the only glow coming from the path lights outside the window.Smoke curled from my cigarette, twisting in the air like a small cloud before dissolving into nothing. The night was too damn quiet. The kind of silence that didn’t soothe me but rather, it was suffocating. Every breath I took felt heavier, pressing against my ribs like a fucking weight I couldn’t shake off. I tilted my head and saw my own face reflected in the glass window.Tired eyes, clenched jaw, muscles too stiff from holding in everything I can’t let go of.‘Let’s get divorce,’ her words etched inside my head and made my blood boil. I grind my teeth, feeling the anger crawl up my throat. Every time she said those words, it felt like she was digging a hole inside me. I can't stop thinking about it and I can’t stop feeling that pit in my stomach.Why the hell does she have to do this to me? After everything I’ve done? I’ve sacrificed myself to keep her fucking safe, an