CHAPTER 11 Damien's POV "I agree to the divorce " Her words echoed in my mind , filling me with unexpected dread and shock . She had said it with finality , with certainty , as if there was nothing left between us . For a moment , I simply stared at her , waiting - expecting - for the real Celeste to appear . Surely , she'll take it back She had to attentio This was just a test , a reaction , a desperate attempt to get my attention . I waited But she didn't falter . She just stood there , chin lifted , back straight , fire burning behind her eyes . For the first time in a long time , she didn't look like the Celeste who used to chase after me , worship me , and do everything in her power to please me . It was then that I felt something unpleasant beginning to form in my chest . I should have felt relieved . I had wanted this . Hadn't I ? But instead , an unfamiliar tightness gripped my throat - anger , confusion - an increasing discomfort that refused to go away My fingers twitched at my side , a restless energy rising inside me . Why did I suddenly have the urge to say something- anything to make her reconsider ? " Celeste … " I started , my voice low and controlled . But she turned away before I could finish . The dismissal stung more than it should have . Just as I was about to rein in my emotions , to tell her that maybe this marriage didn't have to end this way ? Theo returned , holding sandwiches and drinks . Celeste immediately turned to him with a grateful smile , and he handed some to her as if it was the most natural thing in the world . The unspoken understanding between them made me feel like an outsider , like I was intruding on something I had no part in I stiffened . My jaw tightened as jealousy rippled through me . My wife didn't even spare me a glance . Was she that angry about being put in that asylum ? But I did it for her own good ! I saw her fingers brush against his for a brief moment as she accepted the food . It made my blood boil Doesn't she know whose wife she is ? ward , my voice sharp . " You really don't waste time , do you , Theo The thought hit me with unexpected force . I took a step forward , my Mercer ? " Theo didn't even flinch . He just looked at me , unimpressed , unfazed , as if I were nothing more than an inconvenience . " I don't know what you're talking about . " Цаг I scoffed , shifting my glare back to Celeste . " Is this why you're so eager for a divorce ? Because of him ? " She exhaled sharply , but this wasn't the weary Celeste I once knew - the one who would crumble at my anger , who would desperately try to explain herself No , this Celeste met my gaze head - on , her lips curling into something that wasn't quite a smile . Something sharper . " Don't flatter yourself , Damien , " she said coolly . " You think I need a man to leave you ? You think you're that important ? " 1/3 +25 DONL shed . The moment he shows up , you suddenly decide to throw away our marriage ? My jaw locked . " Am I wrong ? " I pushed " The moment he A low , bitter laugh escaped her lips , sending a chill down my spine . " Throw it away ? " She took a deliberate step closer , tilting her head as if she were studying something pathetic . Then a spark of fury ignited in her eyes . " Damien , you burned it to the ground , " she hissed Her words landed like a slap I balled my fists , struggling to suppress the burning irritation clawing at my insides . No , this is not the Celeste I know . This was someone else . And she didn't care about my feelings anymore . The realization sent something dark and uncomfortable crawling beneath my skin . I should have let her go . I should have said nothing anymore . But the way she stood beside him , so close , so damn comfortable , set my teeth on edge . Theo took a step forward , placing himself slightly in front of Celeste - a clear challenge . " Celeste owes you nothing . " His voice was cold . " And if you had even a shred of decency left , you'd let her walk away . " I wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face . I wanted to grab Celeste and demand she look me in the eye and tell me she really wanted this . But then , she turned away without a second glance . No hesitation at all . And she walked out of the hospital with him . I stood there , watching them leave , the unease in my chest growing heavier . I'm supposed to be happy because she'd betrayed me , anyway , right ? She's a liar , a thief , a cheater ! This must be good . riddance Then why the hell does it feel like I was losing something I wasn't ready to lose ? I should have felt nothing but hatred watching her walk away . That's what I wanted But as she disappeared from view . I felt something else eating at me . A strange , unwelcome sense of unease . Why isn't she hesitating ? Why has she become so indifferent and cold ? She had turned her back on me so effortlessly , without so much as a second glance . And then there was Mercer always by her side , always watching . It just made me more anxious . My fists clenched at my sides , panic gripping me without warning . But as she slipped past me , something caught my eye once more The scars . For a moment , my entire body froze The bitterness in her eyes , the way she held herself - rigid , guarded , like I was the enemy - it unsettled me . Why was she looking at me like I was some monster , when she was the one who'd cheated on me and made a fool out of me ? It was as if I was the one who'd ruined her . And then , before I could think , she slipped into Theo's car . I saw him open the door for her like it was his right . Like he had every claim to be the one standing beside her now . Like I was already replaced 273 +25 BONUS Heat pulsed through me , my jaw stiffening , fingers curling into fists . How the hell had he found her ? How had he even known she was in Ravencrest Asylum ? d she called him ? Had she been waiting for him all this time ? Had The thought sent a sharp , angry pulse through my veins . And then there were the unexplainable scars on her palms and wrists . Why was she hesitant to tell me how she got them ? Something had happened to her in that place . Something I didn't know . And that was unacceptable . I pulled out my phone , my fingers tightening around it as I dialed my assistant , Mark " Find out everything about Ravencrest Asylum , " I ordered , my voice colder than steel . " I want reports on their treatments , their security , the staff , everything . And I want to know exactly how Theo Mercer got her out . " A pause . " Sir , I don't think- Mark tried to say something . " I don't pay you to think . Just do it " I ended the call , my gaze locked on Theo's car as it pulled out of the hospital driveway . Celeste might think she's free of me . But she's wrong . She's still my wife . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!