CHAPTER 9 Celeste's POV Theo's arm was still wrapped around me , steadying me against him . His grip was firm but careful , as if I might break apart if he let go . I was extremely grateful that he was here for me , with me . I always knew I could depend on him . But now , while my husband watched us , I felt Theo's arms holding me even tighter . The air became subtle . My heart pounded wildly as Damien strode forward , his eyes sharp with a kind of fury that I had never seen from him before Wait , is that . Jealousy ? A bitter laugh almost escaped me , but I swallowed it down . Don't be stupid , Celeste ! Damien Vaughn - jealous ? No , that's impossible . I had to be losing my mind . I must have imagined it . More likely , it was frustration - anger at being defied . But the rage Aradiating off him was almost tangible , thickening the air between us . His gaze darkened the moment he saw Theo holding me up . Then , his lips curled into a cruel sneer . " Celeste , how many lovers do you have ? " he suddenly blurted out , fuming , " One in the video , and now another ? " I froze . A sickening twist knotted my stomach . Not this again After all the torture and heartbreak , did he still think I would accept all his ridicule and degrading ? I couldn't help but sneer , the sound similar to what Damien used to be towards me . Now I had learned it too . I opened my mouth , but then I saw Theo's expression immediately harden , his stance also shifting to one of being protective. " Don't you dare talk to her like that , " he shot back , stepping in front of me like a shield . " You're the asshole husband here . I was startled . I had never seen this side of Theo before . Damien was taken aback , his jaw locking tight . Theo Mercer had just challenged him outright And knowing my husband , he was never known to back down from any challenge , especially with someone he considered a rival A crushing silence then followed , the tension so dense it felt like it was squeezing the air from my lungs . Their rivalry had always been bitter , stretching back years . Even after I married Damien , it became increasingly severe . Once , for the sake of my love for him , I had tried to keep my distance from Theo . But now ? Now , I wouldn't sacrifice myself for Damien again Slowly , I turned my back on Theo and met Damien's glare head - on . " Don't bother me , " I said coldly I saw it then - the shock in his eyes . Like he never expected me to say those words . Like he thought I would always beg and cling to him . Well , he's damn wrong . I thought bitterly . That Celeste does not exist anymore . 1 turned to leave . However , for a brief second , something inside me hesitated . Maybe there was still a part of me that held to our past But the stronger part of me - the part that had endured humiliation , betrayal , and heartbreak - was done . So damn tired . 1/3 +25 BONUS Tired of fighting for a man who never fought for me . Tired of begging for scraps of affection . Tired of Damien Vaughn thinking he still owned me . Besides , Auntie needed me . I had to go to her . That was my priority now . With a deep breath , I took another step forward , farther away from Damien . Theo went to follow behind me . But before I could take another step , a hand clamped around my my wrist . A sharp jolt ran up my arm as Damien's grip tightened.- " You're my wife . " His voice came from behind me , low and edged with quiet fury . " Where do you think you're going ? " My breath hitched . I turned back slowly , my gaze locking onto his . His expression was unreadable , but his eyes . His eyes burned . There was something dark there , something I couldn't name Possessiveness ? Anger ? Or maybe , for the first time in years . something dangerously close to fear . The realization sent a bitter thrill through me . Finally , It was my turn . Before I could yank my arm away , another voice sliced through the tension like ice A voice so calm , so eerily controlled , it sent a chill down my spine . Let Her Go , His words weren't a request , but undoubtedly a command . The kind that left no room for defiance I stiffened . And beside me , I could feel Damien's grip freezing too . They both stood there , staring hard at each other , facing off squarely . I stood frozen , trapped between their standoff , my pulse hammering . For a s split second , I thought they might actually fight . Damien's stance shifted ever so slightly , his fingers flexing like he was seconds away from throwing the first punch . Theo , on the other hand , didn't move . He just stood there , still as stone , exuding an unsettling calm . But I knew better - that kind of silence was more dangerous than any outburst My breath caught . Would he really risk everything to protect me ? Would Damien really go that far ? Then - without warning - Damien let go . A breath I didn't realize I'd been holding rushed out of me . Relief should have come next , but it didn't . Because his gaze dropped to my hands And then , he saw them . The scars . Not even the long sleeves I wore could hide the ones peeking out from beneath the cuffs . Damien stilled . His brows furrowed , confusion flashing across his face before something else replaced it - concern Genuine concern . For me Before I could pull away , he reached out , fingers wrapping around my wrist , lifting my arm with careful precision . My eyes widened . His thumb brushed over the raised scars , tracing them as if trying to make sense of what he was seeing . 2/3 Then his voice dropped , no longer sharp or accusatory - just low and probing . +25 BONUS " Where did you get these ? " His grip tightened slightly , like he was bracing himself for the answer . " Tell me what happened , Celeste Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!