CHAPTER 17 Celeste's POV Since getting out of the asylum , I had been staying at Auntie's apartment - a modest but familiar space that had become my only refuge . But the moment I pushed open the door , a strange feeling crawled over my skin . Something was off I stepped inside cautiously , my fingers tightening around the keys that were always hidden in the plant outside the door . Right there , by the door - were items that didn't belong to either of us . A shallow gasp slipped past my lips . Has someone from that hellish asylum come to take me back ? I swallowed hard , forcing myself to stay calm . My heart pounded against my ribs as I moved carefully toward the living room And that's when I saw her . A middle - aged woman sat comfortably on the couch . She looked up the moment I entered , her warm brown eyes meeting mine " You must be Celeste , " she said with a gentle smile I didn't move . I had no idea who she was , and after everything I'd been through , trust wasn't something I gave easily . " Who are you ? " My voice was steady , but my pulse was anything but . Every nerve in my body was on high alert . She set the album down carefully and stood . ' My name is Sylvia . I'm a close friend of Eleanor . " I stiffened at the mention of my aunt . 1 sen .. What can I do for you ? " " I'm sorry to surprise you , Celeste . Eleanor and I go a long way back . I just came to return some of her belongings . " I swallowed hard , suddenly feeling like I could actually trust this person . Slowly I took a seat opposite her . " You … you know my aunt well ? " Sylvia nodded , a warm , almost nostalgic smile touching her lips . " Eleanor speaks of you often . She's proud of you , you know . " Something in my chest tightened . " You're one of her favorites from the orphanage , whom she really adores . The way she speaks about you… it's like you're actually her flesh and blood . The brilliant designer with a future so bright ! She could barely contain her excitement just talking about you . " A sharp sting burned behind my eyes . Genius designer . A promising future . Words that felt like they belonged to another lifetime another version of me . I blinked rapidly , refusing to let the tears fall . Sylvia watched me carefully . " She always said you had a gift , Celeste . That no matter what happened , you'd rise again . " I almost laughed . If only my aunt knew just how far I had fallen I took a slow breath and shifted my gaze to the small box on the table . " You said you came to return her things ? " My voice was hoarse . Sylvia nodded , but her expression softened into something hesitant . " Yes , but there's something else . " She stepped closer , her eyes sweeping over me with quiet scrutiny . And then her gaze dropped to my wrists . 1flinched . Too late . Sylvia inhaled sharply , her hands flying to her mouth as she took in the scars . " Dear God .. Celeste , what happened to you ? " +36 BONUS I instinctively tugged my sleeves down , but the damage had already been done . Het er voice trembled . " I heard that you were institutionalized . But I thought- " She stopped , her words failing as she looked at me like she couldn't recognize the girl Eleanor had spoken of so fondly , " I never realized- " I lifted my chin . " I survived . " Sylvia's face twisted with emotion . " They did this to you ? " I let out a slow exhale . " Ravencrest Asylum isn't really a place for treatment . It's a prison . And they're harsh to all the patients . She reached out , but I took a step back . I didn't need comfort * They drug you , strip you of control until you can't tell reality from hallucination . If you don't obey , you suffer for it . " My voice was eerily calm , but my insides churned violently as memories clawed to the surface . " I had to hurt myself just to stay awake just to stop myself from slipping away . " Sylvia gasped , horror flashing across her features . " I had no choice . " I met her gaze , my voice firm , my walls back up . " That place was meant to break me . But I refused to let them win " Tears welled in Sylvia's eyes . " Who who sent you there ?" 1 didn't hesitate . " My husband Damien and my supposed friend Genevieve , " I said , my voice sharp , unwavering . " They did this to me . " Sylvia paled , her shock evident . " But .. your husband- " " He's not my husband anymore , I cut in , my heart hammering " Not after what he put me through " My hands balled into fists as I struggled to keep control . Everything was still fresh to me , starting from their betrayal and all throughout my suffering inside that hellish institution . They had ripped me apart , piece by piece , stripped me of my freedom , my dignity . They had locked me away . a nightmare I had barely escaped from thrown me into A tempest raged within me , fueled by the pain they had inflicted , but no longer consuming me . It had transformed into something else something sharper , more controlled . Hatred , yes . But also resolve . Sylvia exhaled shakily , as if she , too , was trying to process my words . " I .. I don't know what to say , " she murmured , shaking her head . I knew something was wrong , but I never imagined " She trailed off , terror flickering in her gaze . I stayed silent , watching as she seemed to struggle with her thoughts . Then , she suddenly shifted , as if remembering something . " The fire at the on orphanage . " Her voice turned grave . I frowned , straightening . " What about it ? " Sylvia hesitated , then leaned in slightly , lowering her voice . " Celeste , your aunt … she wasn't supposed to be there that day . " A strange chill crawled down my spine . " What do you mean ? " " She had been speaking with a lawyer at that time . Sylvia paused , looking at me grimly . " I knew she was trying to help you . Eleanor never believed what they said about you . She was working with someone - trying to find proof to clear your name . That pornographic video , the false insanity diagnosis - she was looking into all of it . " # 15 BONUS My breath almost stopped . I had suspected my aunt had been trying to help me , but hearing this confirmation sent my mind reeling Sylvia continued , her voice urgent . " She was supposed to meet someone that day . But before she left , she got a text message . And then- " I swallowed hard . " She rushed out , " Sylvia finished . " And she never came back . " I felt a sharp , sickening twist in my gut . Aunt Eleanor someone had lured her there . My fingers trembled slightly as I absorbed the truth . The fire was intentional . I knew it . A slow , burning fury began to rise in me . Now , I was starting to see the bigger picture . Suddenly , a thought occurred to me . I turned to Sylvia . " Do you know what the message said ? " She shook her head . " I wish I did . But I never saw it , and Eleanor never mentioned anything before she left . " Her expression was filled with regret . Disappointment rippled inside me , but I pushed it down . " Alright . Thank you , Sylvia . " She gave She gave me a soft , lingering look . " Be careful , Celeste . You've been through too much already . " 1 I nodded , watching as she picked up her things and walked out . As soon as the door clicked shut behind her , I remembered that I had Auntie's phone with me , which I had brought back from the hospital . My heart pounded as I reached for it in my bag . In my grief and exhaustion , I hadn't thought to turn it on . Now , I hesitated . A slow dread crept through me , and something seemed to whisper at the back of my mind , warning me . Something's definitely wrong . Taking a deep breath , Tpressed the power button . An unsettling chill washed over me . My breath caught as I waited for the phone to light up . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!