Chapter 38 -HUNTER'S POV- Some days , I wake up knowing the world will test me . Today is one of those days . Charlotte was already pushing limits before noon , refusing to show up for a scheduled shoot , I called her orice . No answer . Twice . Straight to voicemail The third time , she finally picked up , her voice dripping with fake innocence . " Migraine , " she sighed . " I need rest , Hunter . " I pinched the bridge of my nose , pacing the hallway outside my office . " You need a reality check ." Silence . Then a petulant whine . " You're being dramatic . " " I'm not your boyfriend , Charlotte . I don't have to put up with this . " My jaw tightened as I glanced at my watch . I didn't have time for this . " Show up tomorrow , or don't bother showing up at all ." I hung up before she could spin another excuse . I didn't need distractions . And yet , the moment I looked up , I found one . Cole . Standing casually in the hallway , hands in his pockets , that smug , self - satisfied smirk stretching across his face . My patience was already a fragile thread . His presence ? The last straw . " Follow me , " I said , not waiting for a response . Cole didn't hesitate , didn't even look remotely concerned . That irritated me more . My staff scrambled out of my way as I walked past . They knew better than to speak when I was like this . Cole should too . The door shut with a quiet click . Cole sat before I even offered , draping himself across the chair like he belonged there . Like he owned the place . I leaned against my desk , arms crossed . " Drink ? " " I won't be long ." Translation : ' Let's not pretend this is friendly . ' Cole exhaled , stretching his legs out . " I assume this is about the estate renovations ? " tilted my head slightly , fingers tapping against the desk . That wasn't why we were here . " I want to know when you'll be done ." My voice was clipped , businesslike . Cole studied me before responding . " I gave you a timeline . " " Then stick to it . " The tension shifted . Thickened . I could see it - the moment Cole realized this wasn't about business . And still , he played along . " You're this pissed over a few weeks ' delay ? " I exhaled sharply , rubbing my temple before finally snapping . " Stop playing with her emotions , Cole . And stop making her false promises . " 1/4 10:45 Wed , 30 Jul & O Chapter 38 That got a reaction . Cole , who had been too relaxed until now , paused mid - motion . His eyes narrowed slightly before something sharp - something dangerous - lickered across his face . Then , slowly , he smirked . " Nice words , cousin , " Cole murmured . " But this time she isn't your property ." The words dug under my skin . Not because he was right . But because of the way he enjoyed saying it . My grip on the desk tightened . Cole watched , waiting for me to react . And when I didn't , he took it further . His voice dropped lower , colder . " Maybe that child looks so damn annoying like you ... " he murmured . " But what I do with Celine ? That's my business . " Something snapped . Cole turned toward the door - But he didn't make it far . A crystal paperweight flew past his shoulder , smashing against the office door . The sound was deafening . Cole barely flinched . If anything , his smirk widened as he glanced back at me over his shoulder . Amused . Unbothered . He walked out without another word . I ripped at my tie , trying to breathe . Trying to contain the feeling clawing its way out of me . But I could still hear him . Looping in my head like a curse . " What I do with Celine ? That's my business . " _ My secretary peeked inside , eyes wide with horror at the shattered glass on the floor . " Sir ? " she asked hesitantly . I snapped my gaze to her . My expression is lethal . " Get out . " She disappeared instantly . I breathed out harshly , pressing my palms against the desk . I had to get a grip . But the only thing my mind kept screaming was - Cole was wrong . Celine wasn't mine . But she sure as hell wasn't his either . I did try . Tried to get through the day pretending I wasn't still thinking about what Cole said . That smug bastard had moved on like the conversation never happened - like he hadn't dropped a grenade into my already volatile thoughts . " Maybe that child looks so damn annoying like you . " The words had burrowed themselves deep , like a piece / l couldn't dig out . So , I did what I always do - I worked . I buried myself in meetings , barked orders , responded to emails I didn't care about , and me together . Almost . But the moment I stepped into the house , all that self - control started to crack . to hold myself The staff lined up as usual , heads bowed in respect as I entered the grand foyer . The chandelier overhead cast long golden shadows across the marble , the familiar scent of lavender and polished wood stayed in the air . I barely looked at any of them . Except for her . 10:45 Wed , 30 Jul GOE Chapter 38 . Celine . She stood stiffly near the edge of the line , her head dipped , body taut like she stare . was bracing for something . Like she could already feel the weight of my She wasn't alone . Caesar was beside her , his tiny hand curled around hers like she was his anchor . His eyes sparkled when they met mine , and before I could look away He smiled . And waved . Just like that . No hesitation . No fear . Something twisted in my chest . Something strange . I didn't smile back . I didn't wave . I just ... stared . Because Cole's words came rushing back all over again . The eyes . The hair . The shape of his damn mouth . Too damn familiar . No. I looked away quickly , jaw locked , breath tight in my throat . I hated that the thought even crossed my mind . Hated it more than it stayed . Celine must've sensed it - felt the shift in me - because her head lifted ever so slightly , her eyes catching mine for the briefest second . Then panic . She immediately turned , pulling Caesar behind her , shielding him from me like I was the threat . Like she was used to having to protect him from stares just like mine . " Caesar , bow , " she whispered urgently , bending to guide his little head down . " I don't wanna , " he whined . " It hurts , Mama . " The word hit me like a punch . Mama . The maids beside them chuckled softly , trying to stifle it , but it wasn't the laughter that caught my a attention . It was the head maid, standing near the back , her eyes hard and disapproving as she stared daggers into Celine's back . Interesting . Still , I said nothing . Not a single word . " I moved past them without pause , without comment . Without so much as a trace of expression . But Celine must've felt it anyway . She always did . My voice echoed through the foyer as I reached the base of the staircase . " Have the west wing prepped by tomorrow night . " The head maid gave a quick nod . " Yes , sir . For whom shall we prepare- " " She's coming to pay a visit , " I cut her off , not turning around . " Make sure everything is perfect . You know how my mother is . " A ripple of suspense passed through the staff . Of course , they knew how Eleanor Reid was . The kind of woman who didn't visit unless she wanted something . The kind who could break a person with a look . I didn't stop to explain . Didn't stop to acknowledge Caesar . Or Celine . Because if I did ... if I looked at that boy for even a second longer , I was going to lose the last grip I had on my composure . 10.46 wea , 30 Jun Chapter 38 And I couldn't afford to do that . Not now . Not with her coming . Not with Celine still looking at me like I was something she didn't understand . Like I was something she should fear So I walked . I walked like I hadn't felt anything . Like I hadn't seen anything . But every step up that staircase felt heavier than the last . Because no matter how hard I tried to shut it out- I kept seeing his eyes . And they looked like mine . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!