CHAPTER 19 Damien's POV I had been sitting in my car for what felt like an eternity , parked in the shadows outside the apartment . Through the window , I saw them - Celeste and Theo . Laughing softly , Cooking together . Moving in sync like they had done this a thousand times before . Like a damn couple . I tightened my grip around the glass of wine in my hand , the bitter taste doing nothing to wash away the unease clawing at my chest . The call from Mark echoed in my mind . " Sir , we checked everything . The footage at Ravencrest is gone - completely inaccessible . There's no official record of anything out of the ordinary . But we did find traces of Mr. Theo Mercer . " That bastard had been involved in my marriage . I should've known . Celeste's sudden discharge , her newfound hostility , the way she had completely changed toward me none of this was a coincidence He got to her . Manipulated her w while she was weak . Twisted her against me . And now , he was here , inserting himself into her life like he belonged in it How could he be so shameless ? My free hand formed into a fist against my thigh . Suddenly , I watched Theo reach out - tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear , his fingers lingering far too long . Like I didn't exist . Like she belongs to him . No , I couldn't take it . Without another thought , I shoved the car door open and strode toward the apartment , my pulse hammering She was mine . I refused to accept her leaving me Before I could fully register my actions , I was already pounding on the door . My heart thundered in my ears as footsteps approached The door swung open . And the moment I saw Theo's face , the moment I saw her standing behind him- I snapped . My fist shot out , grabbing him by the collar . " Is all this because of you ?" I growled . " What did you do , Mercer ?! " Celeste's eyes w widened in shock . But I didn't care . Theo wrenched himself free , his jaw clenched , but he didn't strike back . " I don't know what the hell you're talking about , " he said coldly , straightening his shirt like I hadn't just tried to rip it off him I took a threatening step forward , my blood boiling " Don't play dumb with me , Mercer . " My voice was low , sharp as a blade . The sanatorium . The missing records . The surveillance footage wiped clean . Everything covered up . That was you , wasn't it ? " # 25 BONUS A flicker of something - calm , infuriatingly collected - passed through his eyes . Celeste stepped between us . " What are you even saying , Damien ? " she demanded , her voice laced with frustration I ignored her , my glare locked on the man who had been circling my wife like a vulture since the day she walked out of my life " You were there , " I accused . " You were behind it. How else would she have gotten out so easily ? How else would all traces of her stay suddenly vanish ? " My fists curled at my sides , my breath heavy . " You think I wouldn't notice ? " Theo didn't blink . If anything , he looked bored . Bored . Like I was nothing more than a mild inconvenience standing in his way " I don't have time for your delusions , " he muttered . His nonchalance only made the anger in my chest burn hotter . Celeste moved before I could react , stepping directly in front of Theo , blocking him from my view . " Leave , Damien , " she said firmly , her voice as sharp as ice . I don't know what you think you're doing , but I won't let you bring your temper tantrum here * A bitter laugh scraped my throat , though there was nothing remotely amusing about this . " You think I'm just throwing a tantrum ? " I shot back , taking a step forward , forcing her to look at me . " You think I don't have a reason to be here ? " Her expression didn't waver . " You reek of alcohol , " she said flatly . "I don't know what's gotten into you , but if you're here to make a scene , take it somewhere else . " My jaw locked . She thought I'm just drunk ? That I'd come here just to cause trouble ? I was livid . She wasn't just defending him . She was shielding him . ! shifted my gaze to Theo , who remained maddeningly composed , his arms crossed loosely , like he was watching an argument he already knew he would win " Answer me , " I demanded . " Or is she already warming your bed , just like she did mine ? " Celeste sucked in a sharp breath , fury flashing across her face . But I wasn't finished . " Or was this going on long before ? I pressed , my words seething with anger . " Before the marriage ? Before the scandal ? Before she played the devoted wife ? Tell me, Mercer - was I just the idiot funding her little lo you and other men behind my back ? " affairs while she slept with Celeste's entire body went rigid , her breath hitching as if I had just struck her . For a split second , raw hurt and disbelief flickered in her eyes - bare , unguarded - before it was swallowed by blistering fury . Her hands clenched at her sides , her entire frame trembling , not with weakness , but with barely restrained rage I pushed , my voice rough This entire time . You made a fool out I took another step toward her . " Tell me the truth , Celeste , " I pu of me , didn't you ?! " Her lips parted slightly , as if she was about to say something - maybe deny it , maybe confirm my worst fears - but then her lips pressed into a thin line " No , " she finally bit out . " But it doesn't even matter now , does it ? " And then she did something I never thought I'd see +25 BONUS She reached back , her fingers lightly brushing against Theo's wrist , like a silent reassurance . Suddenly , I felt like I couldn't breathe . For a few seconds , no one said anything . Theo just stood there , composed , detached , his lack of response only making the fire inside me burn hotter . That smug bastard . " Speak , damn you ! " I barked , stepping closer , my fists curling so tight my nails bit into my palms . " Or is that smug silence your way of admitting it ? You played the long game , didn't you ? Lurking in the shadows , waiting for the perfect moment to steal what's mine - like a pathetic , lovesick lapdog ? " Still , nothing . I let out a sharp , mocking laugh " What , no defense ? No grand speech about how you ' saved her ? Or are you just too damn proud of yourself for finally getting her into your bed ? Tell me , Mercer - was she worth the wait ? Or was she just another Sonquest for you to collect like the rest of your leftovers ? " Celeste took a step closer , her eyes blazing . " You can say whatever the hell you want about me , Damien , but you will not insult the people who actually help me ! " I couldn't believe she was defending him . " I'm not talking to your I yelled . Theo came forward then , his eyes flashing with cool disdain . " I don't waste words on idiots . " Something in me snapped , making me finally lunge for him . But before I could so much as reach him - a sharp crack echoed through the air . Pain bloomed across my cheek . My head whipped to the side . It took me a second to process what had just happened . Celeste had slapped me . Hard Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!