Celeste sat at the small wooden desk in her apartment, staring blankly at the glowing city lights outside her window. It had been two weeks since that night-the night that refused to leave her mind no matter how hard she tried. She had told herself it was a mistake, a fleeting moment of weakness, a memory to bury and forget.
But her body told her otherwise.
Her fingers trembled as she picked up the small white stick from the counter. Two bold lines stared back at her, undeniable, unrelenting. Positive.
Her breath caught in her throat. "No... no, this can't be."
She sank onto the edge of her bed, the test clattering to the floor. Memories of Damien Kane's gray eyes flashed in her mind, the way he had kissed her like a man starved, the way his voice had wrapped around her in the dark. She had felt alive in his arms, but she never imagined it would lead to this.
Pregnant.
Not with just anyone's child. With the child-or children-of Damien Kane, the richest and most powerful man in the world.
Her stomach churned with fear. She had nothing. No wealth, no powerful name to protect her. Just a dream of one day becoming a fashion designer and escaping the shadow of the family who had always belittled her.
What would happen if he found out? Would he even remember her? Would he accuse her of trapping him? She remembered clearly how drunk he had been that night, how lost. To him, she had been a stranger. To her, he had become unforgettable.
Celeste pressed her palms against her flat belly, a tear slipping down her cheek. "What am I supposed to do?"
The next weeks blurred into doctor's appointments and restless nights. When the doctor smiled gently and announced she wasn't carrying just one baby but four-quadruplets-Celeste nearly fainted.
"Four?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Are you... are you certain?"
The doctor nodded. "Very certain. It will be difficult, but if you take care of yourself, they'll be strong. You're young, you can handle this."
Celeste left the clinic in shock, her mind spinning. Four lives. Four pieces of Damien Kane. How could she possibly raise them alone? Yet deep inside, as her hand rested protectively over her stomach, something fierce stirred.
She would. She had to.
Her family had never believed in her, never cherished her after her mother's death. They had mocked her dreams, belittled her worth. But these babies... they would be her reason, her strength. They would know love, even if it came only from her.
"I'll protect you," she whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "No matter what, I'll give you the life I never had."
That night, as she lay awake, she thought of Damien. Did he deserve to know? Part of her ached to tell him, to see the look in his eyes when he learned he would be a father. But the other part-the stronger part-remembered the world he lived in. A world of ruthless deals, glittering lies, and dangerous ambition.
Her children would not be pawns in that world.
Celeste made her choice. She packed her bags, used what little money she had, and left for abroad. There, she would study, build herself into the woman she had always dreamed of becoming. She would raise her children in secret, give them the best she could, and never let Damien Kane or her cruel family drag them into the shadows.
As the plane lifted off the runway, Celeste pressed a hand to her belly. She was terrified, but there was strength in her voice when she whispered, "We're going to be alright. I promise."
And for the first time in years, she believed it.
