Chapter 8
1191 Words
Celeste’s POV.
The silence between us was heavy. I was embarrassed - embarrassed because I didn't have anyone I would cheat on him with. I knew he saw through me. But I saw it as a challenge - a challenge to get someone because he thinks it's okay to have an extramarital affair but I cannot.
He stood there, staring at me like I’d just threatened to burn down his company. I liked how my expression stayed unreadable, making him doubt everything he thought he knew about me.
I didn't blink. I let the weight of my words settle.
“I’m going to bed,” I said, rising from the couch. I started moving without waiting for his response.
“Celeste......”
“I know my room. I have been given a heads-up by the staff. No need to direct me.”
I grabbed the hem of my satin gown and walked away, slowly.
His presence was beginning to suffocate me.
The moment I shut the door behind me, the tears came. Quiet. Controlled.
I hated myself for this.
Why did it hurt so much when I already knew this marriage meant nothing to him? Why did a part of me still wish he’d beg me to stay, or look at me like I mattered?
I sat on the edge of the giant bed in my bedroom that looked like a guest suite and slipped off my shoes. I groaned in pain from the soreness of my feet.
Killian was set to hurt me, and I wasn't going to let it happen.
He married me like he was signing a business deal and then laid out terms like I was a clause in a contract.
That was fine.
He wanted a contract?
He was going to get one.
The Next Morning.....
I woke up early, long before the staff would come knocking. I opened the curtains wide, letting the sun's rays overwhelm the dim room.
I let out a heavy sigh as I stared at the expensive diamond wedding ring I chose not to take off until the timing was right.
I picked a silk white robe from the closet — clearly expensive and very beautiful. I let my hair fall over my shoulders as I walked barefoot into the extra grand kitchen.
The maid was startled when she saw me.
“Don’t worry,” I smiled briefly.
“I know where everything is. You can continue what you were doing.”
She nodded awkwardly and left.
I made myself a cup of coffee - black, strong, no sugar. The same way I knew Killian liked his.
It was weird, but it made me feel more alive.
I sipped it slowly while leaning against the marble counter, trying to take in the over-expensive kitchen decor. Just as I took another sip, I heard footsteps.
I looked up.
Killian.
Half buttoned-up, white shirt that revealed most of his broad chest, wet hair, and sexy eyes as piercing as ever.
I know he didn’t expect to see me.
“Morning,” I said absentmindedly.
I followed his eyes as they scanned me, lingering a little too long. “Morning.”
I turned my back to him and continued sipping. I could feel his gaze burning into me.
“About last night,” he started.
I placed the mug down carefully. “You don’t have to worry, Killian, I understood everything.”
“I didn’t mean to.....”
I frowned. Was he about to apologize?
I raised a brow. “What are you doing?”
He was silent.
“No,” he said after a moment. “nothing.”
“Good."
I didn’t wait for his response. I just walked out, my steps calm, although the intense pounding of my chest could almost be heard.
Killian’s POV.
I could barely sleep last night. Memories of Celeste walking down the aisle kept replaying in my head.
My stubborn mind was too proud to admit, but I desperately wanted to hold her, undress her, see what was beneath those clothes that made it so hard for any sane man to resist her.
After a quick wash, I made my way to the kitchen. I wanted to make my coffee myself.
As I walked in, my heart raced. She was there. I didn't expect to see her there.
Just standing there, hair down, white silk dress, her pointy n*****s standing there graciously. I swallowed hard.
Then briefly took in her smooth thick thighs, then her hips. I ran my hands roughly through my hair. If only she knew the things she was doing to me, just standing there.
"Morning." She said, interrupting my thoughts. Thank God she did. My erection would have probably been obvious if she didn't.
"Morning," I responded slowly. I wanted to apologize. I knew I was a d**k last night.
"About last night.." I started.
"You don't have to worry, Killian. I understood everything." She said absentmindedly, cutting me off.
She was slipping through my fingers.
And I don't know why the thought of it scared me.
"I didn't mean to......."
"What are you doing?"
I paused when I saw the deep frown on her face.
"No, nothing." I didn't have the courage to continue.
"Good." She said and walked away.
I don't know how, but this was hurting me more than I ever imagined.
Maybe it was the look in her eyes—sharp, unbothered like I didn’t matter. Like I hadn’t just married her.
Maybe it was the way she walked past me like she already regretted every second she’d spent trying to understand me.
But more than anything - what hurt the most was the threat she didn’t have to say out loud - that someone else could have her.
Not just her body. Her smile. Her time. Her loyalty.
Someone else could get what I’d thrown away before even giving it a chance.
And for some damn reason…
I hated that.
The cold responses, the shutdowns before I could even say anything, they were killing me. But I had to keep my cool.
Just as she walked out of the kitchen, the butler approached me.
“Sir, Mr. Adrian Sinclair is at the gate. He says he’s here to stay for a few days.”
My eyes narrowed. “Adrian?”
“Yes. He said you invited him months ago.”
"f*****g asshole," I muttered under my breath. I had invited Adrian—back before the wedding, before any of this. So why did he choose now?
The butler hesitated. “Shall I prepare the guest wing?”
I couldn't respond right away. My gaze shifted to where Celeste disappeared, her soft perfume still lingering in the kitchen.
A shiver ran through me.
Adrian Sinclair was charming. Dangerous in his way. And unlike me, he never hesitated when he wanted something.
My jaw clenched. He was my best friend. I had no choice.
“Prepare the guest wing,” I said coldly.
The one far away from my wife.
I had just called her my wife without realizing it. Celeste was doing something to me, something I couldn't explain.
- Writer
