Chapter 2
1003 Words
Celeste’s first breath was a struggle. A sharp, burning pain squeezed her throat, and for a terrifying moment, she thought she was still in the fire. The acrid scent of smoke clung to her memory, choking her. Het hands flew to her face, unscarred. Her fingers graze over smooth skin where there had once been burns, bruises, and betrayal. Her body is whole, her legs not shattered, her wrists not bound.
The ceiling above her is the same cheap, yellowed plaster of the room she had stayed in before heading to Y City. The same scent of old wood and faint lavender lingers in the air. The same dim morning light filters through the dusty curtains.
The heavens had answered her prayers!
She had been reborn!
Reborn to the day she had stepped into Y City like a lamb to the slaughter, clueless about the vipers waiting with their fangs bared.
Celeste was the original first lady of the Moreau's family but due to her stepmother's scheming she was sent to the countryside.
Fifteen years later, the Moreau family found out about her identity and sent a driver to pick her up from the countryside.
Celeste was full of hope , but little did she know she wasn't entering heaven but stepping into hell.
A kind voice pulled her out of her daze.
"Miss, let's go" Billy looked at Celeste who just came out from a dilapidated, almost-crumbling building
Thinking about how the daughter of the Moreau family had been living in the countryside for nineteen years,he felt a pang of sympathy for her.
Celeste looked out the window at the towering buildings, one after another. In her past life, when she was brought back to Y city and saw such a bustling scene, she was overjoyed.
But this time, she wasn’t blinded by excitement.
Her fingers traced the hem of the dress she wore, feeling the rough, low-quality fabric Lilith had so graciously sent her. Back then, she had been naive enough to think it was a kind gesture. Now, she saw it for what it was, an insult. A deliberate act to make sure she looked like a country bumpkin when she arrived.
Her nails dug into the material as a bitter laugh slipped past her lips.
"Miss, are you okay?" Billy's voice cut through her thoughts, concern evident in his tone.
Celeste turned her gaze to him, schooling her features into a calm expression. She had to be careful. Billy was only a driver, someone simply following orders.
"I’m fine," she said, her voice light.
Billy hesitated before nodding and focusing back on the road.
Celeste exhaled softly, turning to the window.
Towering skyscrapers stretched toward the sky, casting long shadows over the streets below. Billboards flashed advertisements for luxury brands, cars zipped through intersections, and well-dressed men and women hurried along the sidewalks. The city was alive, a stark contrast to the quiet countryside she had known for nineteen years.
Before, she had been in awe.
Now, she understood the truth.
She hadn’t been brought back to the Moreau family out of love or guilt. They had needed her.
And she had let them use her.
Not again!
Celeste's fingers tightened around the cheap fabric of her dress.
She met Billy’s gaze, her voice calm yet firm. "Stop the car."
Billy blinked in surprise. "Miss?"
"I need to get something."
Without waiting for his response, Celeste pushed open the door as soon as the car slowed. She stepped onto the pavement, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and city air mixing with the crisp morning breeze.
She walked into an upscale shopping mall, her sharp gaze scanning the stores. Before, she had meekly accepted whatever Lilith and her stepmother had given her, but today, she would walk into the Moreau estate on her own terms.
She approached the concierge, her posture regal. "I need a dress. Something elegant."
The woman behind the desk hesitated, clearly judging her appearance, but Celeste pulled out a sleek black card and placed it on the counter. "Charge it to this."
Instantly, the woman straightened, her demeanor shifting. "Of course, Miss. Right this way."
Celeste allowed herself to enjoy the experience, choosing a gown that exuded power and confidence, a dress that would make Lilith’s blood run cold.
As she stepped out of the store, a sharp cry caught her attention.
"Let me go!"
Her head snapped toward the commotion. A young boy, no older than six, struggled in the grasp of two men in dark suits. His terrified gaze darted around, searching for help. His beautiful and unusual eyes showing a hint of fear.
Celeste pursed her lips, the fear in the boys tugging at her heartstrings.
Without hesitation, Celeste strode forward. "Let him go."
One of the men scoffed. "Mind your business, lady."
Celeste tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint. "Wrong answer."
In her past life, she had been meek and naive. Now? She had no patience for scum.
Using the element of surprise, she grabbed the wrist of the nearest man, twisting it sharply. He yelped in pain, releasing the boy. The second man lunged toward her, but Celeste sidestepped smoothly, sending a well-placed kick to his knee.
The boy scrambled behind her, clutching her dress. "Sister Fairy!" he whispered in awe.
Celeste smirked. "Stay close."
Security guards rushed over, detaining the men before they could retaliate. One of the guards turned to Celeste. "Thank you, Miss. Do you know the boy’s parents?"
Celeste crouched down, her gaze softening as she looked at the child. "Who are you with, little one?"
The boy sniffled. "My daddy's really strong and important! He’ll be here soon!"
Celeste patted his head. "Good."
A deep, commanding voice suddenly interrupted. "What happened here?"
She turned and froze.
Standing before her was a tall, imposing man with sharp features and piercing silver-gray eyes. He exuded power and dangerous presence.
The boy beamed. "Daddy!"
Celeste narrowed her eyes.
So, this is the boy’s father…
- Writer
