I lay there, lips pale, body strangely still. Somehow, my heart felt unnervingly calm. This was it—finally fading completely from his world.
Later, the doctors told me the injuries weren’t fatal. Still, the maid didn’t know who else to call, and in the end, she reached out to Damien’s mother.
The moment she heard, she rushed over, panic written all over her face. That night, she stayed by my side, tending to me with care the way her son never would.
I woke to raised voices outside my door, carried clearly down the silent corridor.
“You idiot!” his mother’s voice rang sharp with anger. “I don’t care where you are! If you want any chance of fixing things with Celeste, get here immediately. If you let this slide, she’ll never forgive you!”
For a heartbeat, I held my breath, waiting. Hoping.
Then his voice slithered through, low and cruel. “Why should it matter if she forgives me? The engagement is done. Her things are gone. Even if she dies, I won’t show up at her funeral.”
Click. The phone line went dead. Silence swallowed the corridor.
The door opened, and his mother stepped in, cheeks flushed, hands trembling slightly. Embarrassed, her gaze landed on me. “Celeste… Damien… you know how he is when he’s angry. He says things he doesn’t mean. Don’t let it hurt you.”
I shook my head. Words felt useless. He didn’t need protecting from me. He was right—we were done. He’d severed all ties; I had to do the same.
She sighed softly, a sound of quiet resignation. She moved closer, perched on the edge of my bed, and unfolded a piece of paper.
“Celeste,” she said gently, handing it to me, “these are dowries I’ve prepared for you. You’re going far, starting fresh on your own. You’ll need property, finances, security. These will give you strength.”
My chest constricted. I shook my head quickly. “Mrs. Thompson… I can’t take this.”
Her hand covered mine. “If your mother hadn’t brought me out of that little village years ago, I wouldn’t even be here. I owe her… and I owe you. Damien wronged you. As his mother, I need to make this right.”
Her eyes softened. “Once you’re in Europe, I’ll make sure someone helps you with the transfers.”
The door burst open suddenly.
A familiar voice cut through sharply. “Who’s going to Europe?”
I froze. I dropped my lashes, kept my mouth shut. I didn’t look at him, pretending he wasn’t even there.
His mother glanced between us and let out a small sigh. “It’s Celeste… she—”
He cut her off, eyes sliding to mine. “You’re going to Europe? Right. You mentioned before that you wanted to visit your aunt. But… your injuries this time are serious. It’s not safe yet. How about we wait a little? I can stay with you for now, get things organized, then go with you.”
A bitter laugh threatened to escape me. Yes, I’d once told him I wanted to go. He’d promised to come with me. And yet… he never had.
Why? Because Ariana had whispered to him her envy. She said I always had someone by my side, while she, poor little Ariana, had never left her village. She claimed she’d never seen the world. So he canceled his plans behind my back and took her abroad instead. Together. Leaving me alone.
I remembered that day so clearly. I waited until the last flight was gone, calling endlessly, heart aching with worry. Then dawn came, along with the photos—him and Ariana at another airport. Smiling. Together.
And now, after everything, he stood here acting as if he still planned to go with me. Nothing left to hope for.
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him the truth. That I wasn’t going to visit family. That I was marrying. That I wasn’t leaving for a short while—I was leaving New York for good. I’d never return unless I had no choice.
Before I could speak, he sneered. “You don’t need me to go? Then who do you want? That pretty boy who gave you a gift the other day? Don’t tell me you’re going alone. You couldn’t even read a boarding pass. You’d get lost and end up crying, begging me to rescue you.”
I exhaled, heavy and exhausted. I wanted to tell him he was wrong. I didn’t need him. I didn’t want him. He had no place near my wedding.
But I never got the chance. His phone lit up. He glanced at it, face softening in an instant. Turning away, he muttered, “Alright. Seems like you’ve got plenty of strength. That makes me feel better. Maddie hates being alone, so I’ll go keep her company. Europe? I’ll come with you once you’re healed.”
He even smiled at his mother. “Thanks for taking care of your daughter-in-law, Mom.”
Her gaze cut him cold. “Get out.”
