THE BILLIONAIRE'S BROKEN VOW

CHAPTER 5

CELESTE

TWO WEEKS LATER

The entire room was bustling, and everyone kept moving around, trying to get me ready. But I couldn't be more excited because today is my fashion launch, and since Adrian and I are officially partners now, everything doubles as this also serves as publicity.

“You look like a snack. I could just eat you up,” I heard my best friend — Jack — say.

My smile widened, and I ran to hug him tightly, ignoring all the stylists that were trying to catch up with me. I haven't seen my best friend in almost three months.

He's a model and has been very busy with shoots and walking on Paris runways. “OMG! What the hell are you doing here? I thought you'd be in Paris for three months.”

He gasped. “And miss my best friend's fashion launch?” He put his hand on his chest, acting dramatic. “There's no way that's gonna happen, and I heard from a little birdie that you and Adrian are officially partners?”

I nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “I'm guessing that means the plan is in motion.”

“You're right. Things are falling in place, and I just can't wait until I make Dominic pay for everything he's done to me,” I replied.

Hannah interrupted us before he could say anything. “Sorry to cut in. But you have to get ready because we're on in ten minutes,” she told me. “By the way, welcome back, Jack. I missed your fine gay ass.”

He chuckled softly. “Still not letting you hit.”

She shrugged. “Your loss. My ass is fine. Let's go, Celeste, before your stylist has my head on a platter.”

I couldn't help but laugh at her statement and bid Jack goodbye. I went back to my seat, and in no time, the stylist finished up, and I was more than ready to go out there.

I entered the hall with Hannah and a security guard by my side. I started greeting the guests one by one, but my smile grew sideways when it landed on one particular guest.

“I thought you wouldn't show up,” I went to meet him. He looked so handsome, dressed in a custom-made suit, his hair styled perfectly, and under these dim lights, it just made his aura massive.

He tucked his hands in his pants. “Why would you assume that? This launch isn't just for your company but also mine. And besides, I'm here to support you. Congratulations, Celeste. You deserve everything you have now.”

I felt something warm inside me but dismissed it immediately. I was about to respond until the sound of chaos interrupted us. We turned to see Dominic making a dramatic entrance and clapping.

Who the f**k let him in? He wasn't invited.

Dominic’s slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the hall. Everyone turned toward him — the cameras, the murmuring guests, even Adrian. My heart raced in my chest, and for a split second, all the years of anger and pain came rushing back.

He walked toward me, confidence in every step, that same cocky smirk playing on his lips. “Congratulations, Celeste,” he said loud enough for the guests and reporters to hear. “You’ve really outdone yourself. A remarkable comeback. You always did know how to put on a show.”

The way he said it wasn’t kind — like he wanted everyone to hear the venom hidden beneath the praise. His words were for me, but his gaze never once left Adrian. He looked at his brother the same way a lion looks at another predator — like one of them didn’t belong in the same space.

Adrian didn’t respond, but his jaw flexed, his arm subtly shifting closer to mine — protective but restrained. The tension between them was so thick, and people around us whispered.

Dominic gave a mocking tilt of his head before adding, “Enjoy your night, Celeste. You’ve clearly found… excellent company.”

I forced a polite smile. “Thank you, Dominic,” I said, even though every muscle in my body was fighting to stay still.

He smirked one last time before walking off toward the bar, leaving a trail of murmurs behind him.

Adrian’s quiet voice cut in. “Ignore him,” he said softly. “He just wants a reaction.”

Later, after the show had started, I slipped backstage for a moment of air. I thought I was alone until I heard that familiar low voice. “You’re really doing this?”

I froze, then slowly turned. Dominic stood there, hands shoved into his pockets, his eyes burning with anger and disbelief.

“Doing what?” I asked, though I already knew what he meant.

He took a step closer, his voice rising slightly. “Parading around with my brother. Acting like you’re over it — over us.”

I crossed my arms. “You made me your ghost, Dominic. I had to come back as something stronger.”

He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Stronger? You call this strength? Standing next to him while pretending it doesn’t kill you?”

“Don’t twist this,” I snapped. “You broke me once. You don’t get to question how I put myself back together.”

He moved closer until the space between us was nothing but tension. His hand lifted, then dropped to his side again, as if he couldn’t decide whether to touch me or stay away.

“Tell me you feel nothing,” he said, his voice low, almost breaking.

I looked up at him, my throat tightening. The words fought their way up but came out trembling. “I don't.”

He exhaled, pain in his eyes. His hand found my wrist — not rough, but desperate — like he was holding onto something that was already slipping through his fingers.

For a second, the world around us disappeared. It was just the sound of our uneven breathing and all the things we’d never said.

Then, slowly, he let go. “Be careful what you wish for, Celeste,” he murmured before walking away like a man who’d just ripped out his own heart.

I stood there, frozen. I didn’t even hear Adrian come in until I felt something soft drape over my shoulder. It was his jacket.

He didn’t say much. He just looked at me with quiet understanding. “Let him destroy himself,” he said. “You don’t owe his ghosts anything.”

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile. “Thank you,” I whispered, clutching the jacket around me.

He nodded, his hand brushing briefly against mine before walking back toward the hall. I followed a few minutes later, fixing my hair and pretending nothing had happened.

By the time the final walk began, the crowd had grown, reporters shouting questions from every direction. My heels echoed against the runway as I stepped out in my final piece — a white silk gown that shimmered under the lights.

But just as I reached the front, a journalist’s voice cut above the noise. “Is it true, Ms. Moreau, that you’re back in the Vance brothers’ lives?”

The question hit me like a slap. The cameras turned, flashes exploding faster now.

My confident smile faltered — only for a second, but it was enough. The crowd noticed. Adrian, from where he stood, stiffened. And somewhere at the back of the room, I could feel Dominic’s eyes on me again.

The war had officially begun.