CELESTE’S POV
Kieran’s words echoed in my mind even after he walked away, slamming the terrace door behind him.
‘You humiliated yourself tonight.’
I stood there for a long mont, stunned, the cold air licking at my bare shoulders. The applause from inside had faded, replaced by a low hum of music and chatter.
My special night was still unfolding, and here I was, left out in the cold.
Kieran had never spoken to like that before, and the sting was worse because I never expected it.
I thought he’d stand beside tonight, like he always used to—like he promised to.
And yet...
He looked at like I was the problem. Like I’d committed so kind of grave sin for wanting to have a perfect night to celebrate our love.
How dare he insinuate that I don’t care about him?
If he didn’t like his outfit or my decorations, then he should have said sothing. Wasn’t that what couples did?
They communicated and they faced issues together.
I took a deep breath, forcing the flash of anger and irritation to subside.
Kieran had spent the last ten years married to a snake he didn’t love; I shouldn’t bla him if he didn’t know how to communicate.
I’d fix it. I wouldn’t let the damage Sera had done to him ruin my happiness. I was done letting her win.
So I gathered my breath once more, and then opened the terrace door and stepped inside. I found Kieran near the bar, his hand wrapped around a tumbler of whiskey.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I threw him a lavish party filled with the elite of the elite, and he chose to sulk at the bar?
But I slapped on a smile and headed to him, slipping into character. I could still salvage tonight. All was not lost.
He didn’t look at as I approached, didn’t acknowledge at all.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, voice barely audible beneath the music.
He didn’t answer. But he didn’t walk away either.
I stepped closer, brushing my fingers against the fabric of his sleeve. “You’re right, baby. I went too far.”
He finally looked at , brows raised.
“I just...I’ve been trying so hard.” My voice cracked, perfectly tid. “This is the first big thing I’ve put together since I ca back. I wanted it to be perfect. For us.”
Kieran looked away, jaw tense.
“I haven’t been sleeping,” I said softly. “I’ve barely been eating. I’ve been so obsessed with making sure everything cos out perfect, and I guess I got a little carried away.”
His prolonged silence gave space to add more.
“I didn’t know the full details about the incident with the Oga, I swear. The maids must’ve misunderstood my desire for perfection and thought I wanted things stricter than I actually did. It’s not what I intended.”
Kieran ran a hand down his face, sighing, and that small flicker of emotion—that weariness—was all I needed.
“I’m sorry,” I said again, placing my hand gently on his arm. “And about Sera...” Oh, this one would be hard. “This wasn’t about hurting anyone. It was about healing. I guess I just... went about it the wrong way.”
Kieran looked at then, and there it was—guilt lingering in the corners of his eyes. He rembered that I wasn’t cruel—I was sweet, lovely Celeste.
I was the victim in all this. I didn’t deserve his ire.
“I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” he murmured, his voice low.
I blinked rapidly, letting my expression twist into wounded gratitude. “I snapped at you, too, and I’m sorry.”
I moved closer, suppressing a smirk when I saw a caraman take a picture out of the corner of my eye.
“I’m just trying, Kieran. That’s all I’ve ever wanted—to make things right.”
He nodded, the tension in his shoulders softening. “I’m sorry, too. And I appreciate what you tried to do tonight.”
I smiled, leaning in to kiss his cheek. For a mont, it felt like the rift between us had been patched over.
Not healed, no. But masked. Smoothed. Like powder over a bruise.
We stood together in silence, side by side, and when soone called our nas from across the ballroom, he reached for my hand without thinking.
And I smiled. Not from joy—but from victory.
SERAPHINA’S POV
Only when we reached the hallway outside the ballroom did the pressure of Lucian’s hands on dissipate.
I sagged against the cool wall, the pounding in my ears slowly quieting. Lucian stood beside , arms crossed, face unreadable as he glanced at sideways.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion.
He didn’t reply at first, just reached into his coat and handed a folded handkerchief. “Hey, I did promise to keep you from throwing a punch, and it looked like it was coming.”
I laughed breathlessly, taking the handkerchief. “I’m sure her dia crew would have loved that.”
“You don’t owe them a performance. Let them choke on their illusions.”
I let out a shaky breath, the burn behind my eyes spilling over.
Lucian didn’t try to comfort with platitudes. He didn’t ask if I was okay or tell to pull myself together.
He just stood there, patient and unwavering, offering comfort in his silence as muffled music and chatter floated through the closed doors.
“I should’ve known she’d do sothing like that,” I muttered after a while, dabbing at my cheeks. “I walked into that room like a lamb to the fucking slaughter.”
“But she didn’t win,” Lucian said. “If she were truly victorious, she wouldn’t need to humiliate you to prove it, and you didn’t give her what she wanted.”
“Yeah,” I exhaled. “Thanks to you.”
“It was my imnse pleasure.” He gave a mock bow, and a ghost of a smile tugged at my lips.
“I can’t believe you did that.” I shook my head. “You’re going to be known in all the dia outlets as The Clumsy Alpha.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Damn, I hope they got my good side.”
I smacked his shoulder lightly, laughing. “Lucian!”
He caught my hand and interlaced our fingers. “It was worth it,” he said, his eyes softening.
His hand around mine was warm, and instinctively, I leaned into him. “Do you wanna get out of here?”
“Sera!”
Maya ca bounding down the hallway, breathless and glowing, champagne glass in hand. “Holy shit!” She turned to Lucian. “First of all, Lucian, that was inspired! Did you see Celeste’s face?!”
I snickered as she laughed, hopping excitedly. “I am so sorry to interrupt, but I had to tell you before I exploded.”
Lucian raised an eyebrow, but Maya grinned, unfazed.
“I just ca from the back garden bar,” she said, barely able to contain herself. “And people are not happy.”
I blinked. “About what?”
She leaned closer, giddy. “About her—fucking Celeste. A bunch of the guests are complaining. They’re saying the arrangents were all about flaunting wealth. Like—soone actually said they didn’t fly out here to admire fucking centerpieces. They wanted a real celebration, not a royal display.”
My lips twitched despite myself.
“And get this,” Maya added, eyes gleaming. “So are even wondering if Kieran was behind all this. Like, his taste is being questioned. People think he’s gone soft. Or worse—vain.”
Lucian chuckled. “Sounds like the court of public opinion is shifting.”
I shook my head, my amusent suddenly fading. Of course this wasn’t Kieran’s taste, and now Celeste was even ruining his reputation with her gaudy showcase.
“Co on, Sera,” Maya said, nudging , noting my change in deanor. “You won tonight. They saw what she was really like. You didn’t even have to say a word.”
“I’m tired, Maya.” I sighed. “I didn’t co here to win. I ca here because I was guilted into it. I’ve fulfilled my role. That’s enough.”
Lucian’s gaze flicked to , sothing unreadable crossing his face.
“I’m leaving,” I added. “You’re both welco to stay, but I’m done.”
Maya shook her head. “Didn’t I say we should leave earlier? I’m with you, babe—"
“There you are,” a deep voice interrupted.
Ethan.
He strode toward us, adjusting the cuffs of his designer jacket, looking annoyed, as if the very air around him wasn’t eting his standards.
“Where the hell have you been?” he said to Maya. “I’ve been looking for you all night.”
She arched a brow. “I’ve been with Sera and Lucian. Where have you been?”
Ethan exhaled in a huff. “I told you that Celeste prepared a separate seating arrangent for her family. Do you realize how it looks that you weren’t there?”
I wasn’t even surprised to hear that—of course, no one expected there. So much for reuniting the family.
Maya’s grin faded instantly. “Ethan—”
“You just disappeared. I’ve been talking to people alone—everyone asking about my newfound mate. You didn’t even answer your phone—”
“I told you, I was with my friends,” she snapped. “Gods, Ethan, it’s a party, not an exhibit. I thought Celeste was the only one interested in flaunting her mate tonight.”
Ethan clenched his teeth. “Let’s. Go,” he said quietly.
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not leaving my friends.”
“And what about ?” he snapped.
“You’re a big boy,” she snapped back. “I’m pretty sure you attended tons of parties before we t, so—"
I stepped between them before the brewing argunt could spiral. “Maya,” I said gently, placing a hand on her arm. “It’s okay, stay with him. I’ll head out.”
“But—”
“Lucian will take ho,”—I turned to him—“right?”
Lucian gave her a slight nod. “Safely. I promise.”
Maya hesitated, her frustration evident, but I squeezed her hand and smiled. “You’ve done more than enough for tonight. Go.”
She shot Ethan a warning glare before walking ahead of him a few paces down the hall. He didn’t even spare a glance as he went after her.
I caught the beginning of another argunt as the door closed behind them.
Lucian and I were alone again.
“Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm.
I took it without hesitation.
As we walked into the cool night air, I realized sothing strange: I didn’t feel victorious or vindicated. I didn’t feel angry anymore either.
For the first ti all evening, I wasn’t playing a role. I wasn’t the reluctant guest, or the discarded wife, or the pawn in a ga I never agreed to.
I just felt...free.
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