CHAPTER 16 Damien's POV n's Pov Celeste's car disappeared down the road , swallowed by the city lights , and yet - I couldn't move . A strange feeling churned in my chest , something restless and unfamiliar . It seemed to be eating me up , little by little . There's something different about her now . She'd changed . I had known it the moment she stood before me , her voice steady , her eyes cold . This wasn't the same woman who had once clung to me , who had loved me with a devotion so unwavering it suffocated me That Celeste .. was slipping away . A sudden pang of raw panic struck deep , as if something irreversible had just happened - something I couldn't fix , no matter how much I wanted to . Just then , I heard a sob that disrupted my thoughts and the rising emotion within me " Damien . " Genevieve's choked sob snapped me out of my thoughts . I turned to find her cradling her wrist , her eyes shimmering with tears as she winced in pain . " It hurts , " she whimpered . " Celeste - she . she grabbed me so hard , Look , it's completely red " She extended her arm toward me , and sure enough , faint red marks were blooming against her skin . I sighed , running a hand down my face before gently taking her wrist . Til have the doctor look at it- " But my words trailed off . Because as I stared at the faint redness on Genevieve's wrist , another image flashed in my mind . Celeste's palm and wrist . Those deep , angry scars . Wounds that weren't just fresh - but old , layered over each other , evidence of silent suffering . Genevieve whimpered dramatically , leaning against me , but my mind wasn't here anymore . I remembered the way Celeste had ripped her wrist from my grasp earlier , the way she had flinched I was shocked on my face when I saw the scars , but Celeste didn't respond . How much pain had she endured ? How had she even gone through it? A strange , sickening burden pressed against my chest , squeezing tight and seemingly making it hard to breathe . " Damien ? " Genevieve's voice was soft , expectant . I felt her shift closer , her body pressing against mine . " You're not listening . I just - ugh , I can't believe she attacked me like that ? She sniffled , tilting her face up to meet my gaze , her lips slightly parted 1 barely registered her words . Because the only thing I could see - was Celeste . Genevieve sniffled against my arm , her grip on my sleeve tightening . " She betrayed you , Damien , " she whispered , her voice trembling just enough to sound genuine . " You gave her everything . You could have sent her to prison , but you didn't . You showed mercy . And this is how she repays you ? Running off in secret . with him ? * Her words slithered into my mind , curling around my lingering doubts like poison . Celeste , who had once worshipped and loved me , had walked away so easily . " She didn't even hesitate , " Genevieve continued , her fingers trailing down my arm , nails grazing my skin like a silent plea . " She didn't fight for you , didn't try to fix things . No , Damien … She went straight to him . " I swallowed hard . Theo Mercer That bastard . Genevieve must have noticed the shift in my expression , because she immediately smiled . It was as if she had not been crying just moments ago . She had certainly struck a nerve , though . "You think she really wants a divorce because of everything that happened between you two ? " she pressed on , her tone deceptively soft . " Or do you think … maybe she's just found someone else ? " I surely didn't want to believe it . But the image of Celeste standing beside Theo , accepting his help , trusting him - it burned . I just don't want to see you get hurt , " Genevieve murmured , resting a hand lightly over mine . I've always been by your side , Damien Always . And yet , she runs to the man who has done nothing but try to one - up you his entire life . What does that say about her ? " I didn't know how to answer Actually , I didn't want to deal with this right now " Come on , let's just go , " I muttered , leading the way to my car When we arrived at my estate , my mother was already waiting . The moment she saw Genevieve's tear - streaked face and the red mark on her wrist , her expression turned cold . " Oh , my poor girl , " she gasped , reaching out . " What happened ? Who did this to you ? " Genevieve leaned into her comfort , her lower lip trembling . " It it was Celeste , " My mother paused , but you could see how livid she was quickly becoming . That ungrateful little- Her voice rose in fury . " Even after Damien saved her , even after you took care of her like a sister , she still chooses to act like this ?! Has she no shame ?! " " Mother , " I warned , but she wasn't finished " She should have been locked up for good . Do you see now, Damien ? That woman was never meant to dangerous ! Unstable ! And now I heard she's parading around with Theo Mercer as if- " That's enough , " I snapped , harsher than I intended Both women flinched at my tone . I turned abruptly and walked out of the room , ignoring the questioning looks behind me . your wife . She's Because no matter how much I wanted to ignore it , no matter how much I told myself that this was exactly what I wanted- I couldn't shake the feeling that Celeste was slipping through my fingers . And I hated it Suddenly , my phone buzzed in my pocket , cutting through my thoughts . I pulled it out , barely glancing at the screen before answering " Sir , " my assistant Mark's voice came through , tense and hesitant . " There's news from Ravencrest Asylum . " I stopped in my tracks . My heart jumped . Then a creeping chill settled in my gut , spreading outward in a haste . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!