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 p
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
CELESTINAI was 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.
SEVASTIANI was quite shocked to see Celestina come to find me just to say thanks. As I silently watched her talking with Natasha, I could even help but to wonder if she heard anything. As I silently observe her while exchanging some conversation, it seems like she didn’t hear anything. Has she heard anything? But her tone was casual, her demeanor composed, but there was something beneath the surface an energy, a tension that I couldn’t ignore. “Kind?” Natasha repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm.I wasn’t the only one questioning this unexpected visit, also Natasha found it suspicious about her sudden appearance. Natasha’s sharp gaze was locked on Celestina, doubt practically radiating from her eyes. She was always meticulous, always suspicious, and Celestina’s reasoning wasn’t convincing enough to fool her.“Well… you helped me,” Celestina replied, her voice soft as she fidgeted with her fingers.It was subtle, but there was unease. A slight tremor in her voice, the smalle
SEVASTIAN My grin widened as I caught the flicker of surprise in her eyes. She wasn’t expecting this, was she? My oh, so clever little fox thought she could outwit me, but I already know that smile and tease. She thought she could toy with me, play her dangerous little games without consequence. But if she wanted to provoke, I’d give her something to play with."Since my wife is so sure that I’m in love with her," I drawled, taking a deliberate step closer, "maybe it’s time I show her just how much it is."Her eyes widened ever so slightly before she masked it with an amused smirk. Still, I caught something in her eyes that was enough to know that she hadn’t expected me to turn the tables on her.Natasha’s laugh broke the tension. "Why is it that when Celestina flirts, she’s all sultry and seductive, but when it’s Sevastian, he’s just... so cringe?"I shot her a glare, one that she’d regret her words later, but Celestina only chuckled, her gaze locked on mine with that maddening, t
NATASHAI didn’t expect to see Neo wide awake at this hour. Honestly, I thought he was already snoring peacefully in his bed. But no, my ever-curious little tornado had to come barreling down the hall, yelling for Celestina like his life depended on it.And the scene we walked into? Well, let’s just say it was the highlight of my night.I stood back for a moment, watching as Celestina scrambled to compose herself, her cheeks red enough to rival the ripest tomatoes. Sevastian, on the other hand, looked annoyingly smug, his arms crossed over his broad chest and his grin so wide it made me want to smack it right off his face.“Auntie, what were you doing?” Neo’s innocent question almost made me lose it. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing outright. Poor Celestina. She was practically tripping over her words, trying to explain herself without actually explaining anything.“Talking,” she squeaked out, her tone so unconvincing I couldn’t help but snort.“Talking?” I e
NATASHAAs I descended the grand staircase, my heels clicking softly against the polished wood, my thoughts were entirely consumed by the puzzle that was given by a subtle hint that I got from my son. Neo’s innocent drawing and his mention of her ‘twin sister’ replayed in my mind, gnawing at the edges of my curiosity.Could it be possible? That Celestina truly has a twin? And if so… was that twin sister of her, is the woman Donovan had an affair with? The idea seemed far-fetched, yet it wasn’t something I could dismiss outright. There were too many layers to Celestina’s story, and too many mysteries about her past and personality. What's the secret she holds? I am so curious that I can’t help but think about it. By the time I reached the gazebo, the cool night air did little to clear my head. The garden lights cast soft shadows across the intricate latticework, but even the serenity of the setting couldn’t distract me from the task at hand.I slipped my phone from my pocket, my
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