CHAPTER 20 Damien's POV SLAM The sharp sound rang through the apartment , leaving behind a silence so thick it rammed against my chest , making it hard to breathe I didn't move . Theo didn't move . Celeste … she didn't even flinch . She just stood there , her posture rigid , her gaze flaring with an icy finality I had never seen before . " Get out , " she said , her voice calm but razor - sharp . " Or I'll call the police . I blinked . I heard her , but my body refused to register the words . She hit me . She had actually hit me For him . My pulse pounded in my ears , drowning out all logic . My cheek burned , but the sting was nothing compared to the ache spreading through my chest . " Are you serious right now ? " My voice came out hoarse , raw " You'd call the police ? On me ? " " Yes , " she spat out . Try me . A humorless chuckle escaped me , but it felt hollow " This is what it's come to ? " I searched her face for something - anything - but all I found was cold detachment . " You really want to cut all ties with me ? " Celeste exhaled , like she was exhausted , like I was exhausting her . " Damien , I've already told you . I don't want this anymore . I don't want you anymore . " That felt like another slap . A more painful one . I gritted my teeth . ' T- ' " You don't get to act like you care now , " she interrupted . " You locked me up in that asylum , You chose Genevieve over me You treated me like garbage , Damien . And now , what ? You're upset that I don't want you anymore ? " The room felt smaller . It seemed like the walls were closing in And for the first time in my life , I didn't know what to say . She had always been soft - spoken , always hesitant to fight back . Now , she looked at me like I was nothing . Like I was already gone " I was trying to protect you , " I muttered . Celeste scoffed . Actually scoffed " That's rich , " she said " Locking me away ? Letting Genevieve destroy me while you just watched ? That's protection for you ? " " You don't understand- " You're right , " she cut me o off , her tone flat . " I don't understand . And honestly ? I don't care anymore . " The finality in her voice sent a sharp pain shooting through my head It's really happening . I'm losing her . +25 BONUS : Without hesitation , Celeste grabbed my phone , dialed Mark , and gave a crisp , emotionless order . " Come pick him up . " Then , without another word , she turned on her heel and walked away , disappearing up the stairs without so much as a glance back . I stood there , frozen . Still dazed , the question slipped from my lips before I could stop it . " What happened at the institution ? What am I missing ? " Theo had been observing the entire exchange , his disdain barely concealed . A soft , derisive chuckle escaped him . His unyielding gaze pinned me where I stood . " You have the audacity to ask that now ? " He threw the question at me with great disbelief and annoyance . Irritation sparking in my chest " Just answer me . He scoffed , his face twisting into something close to disgust . " You really want to know ? " His lips curled . " What exactly are. you hoping to hear , Vaughn ? That it was some luxurious retreat where she had time to ' reflect on her sins ?" My jaw tightened " She nearly lost her mind in there , " he continued , voice laced with quiet fury . " But do you know what kept her sane ? " He took another step forward , his glare searing into me . The hatred she has for you . " " She loved you once , Theo went on , his voice dropping lower , " She would have done anything for you . But you took that love and crushed it . " His expression darkened . " I should never have let go of her then . We shouldn't have trusted you . " The words hit harder than I expected . Theo shook his head in disbelief . " You failed her , " he pointed out harshly . " Over and over again . " I wanted to counter his silent attack , to strike back . But I was still determined to find out what had really happened to Celeste . Taking a deep breath , I pushed down my growing frustration . " I just want answers , " I said , my voice tight . " What happened to her at Ravencrest ? Why did she change ? " His eyes glinted with contempt , but he still didn't give me the answers , I was looking for . " I couldn't find anything unusual , " I went on . " Nothing to make her turn against me like this ! All that the records showed was that she'd stayed there for a few days . So what made her change ? How come she's not acting like herself ?! " Theo exhaled sharply , shaking his head as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing . " Are you really this blind ? " he sneered angrily . " No , you're worse than that . You're a coward . " You're so desperate to pin this on someone else , but deep down , you already know the truth " A slow , cruel smile tugged at his lips . " You did this to her , Damien . And one day , when you finally pull your head out of the sand , it's going to rip you apart . " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!