20.6%
Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Celeste POV:
I made a silent bet with myself.
If Dominic still loved me, then my death would be the cruelest revenge I could inflict on him.
Even in death, I wanted him to live without peace or solace for the rest of his life!
But if he no longer loved me, revealing my illness would only humiliate me further and give Marina more reason to mock my pathetic existence.
After leaving the bathroom, I saw Auntie Helen had prepared an entire table of dishes–everything I used to love.
I invited her to join me for the meal. Wiping her hands on her apron, she sat beside me and served me some soup. “Madam, this borscht was specially ordered by the Young Master himself. I told him, ‘Young Master, you’re clearly keeping Madam in your heart.“”
The table was filled with rich, spicy dishes, fragrant with chili and Sichuan peppercorns.
I’ve always preferred the heavier flavored southern European cuisine of the human world, but Dominic likes the milder flavors of East Asia. In the past, our dining table always featured two entirely different tastes.
But now, with my stomach problems, I could no longer eat such heavily seasoned dishes.
“Madam, why aren’t you eating? My cooking skills haven’t declined. Nowadays, whenever Young Master dines at home, he asks me to prepare one or two spicy dishes.”
I glanced at Auntie Helen, surprised. Dominic couldn’t handle spicy food at all.
Seeing my confusion, she continued, “That’s why I say Young Master still keeps you in his heart. Even though he doesn’t live here with you anymore, he insists I prepare your favorite spicy dishes every day. Remember how you used to coax him to eat just a bit? Now he eats voluntarily.”
“At first, he struggled, choking and turning red. He drank water constantly at meals. But lately, he’s gotten used to it, handling spice much better.”
A mood of irony mixed with sadness enveloped me. Dominic had started accepting my tastes, while I had been forced to abandon them because of my illness.
Maybe it’s all the Moon Goddess’s arrangement. Fate alone dictates that we are destined to be incompatible.
Not wishing to delve further, I asked Auntie Helen if I could borrow her phone briefly.
13:25
Luna’s Ascent: When I Walked Away, Alpha Wept
21.1%
Chapter 20
I remembered Julian’s phone number, because I had taken his business card and looked at it over and over again many times,
I dialed him by shaking fingers. If something serious had happened to Julian, it would be entirely my fault. Only when I heard his voice did relief finally flood through me.
He answered cautiously, hearing no sound from my end. “Is that you, Celeste?”
The suspicious nature of his accident was painfully clear, and Julian certainly understood that as well as I did.
“… Yes, it’s me. Julian, I’m so sorry for involving you in this mess.”
His voice instantly brightened, excitement evident despite his exhaustion. “Then, what you said at the Werewolf Civil Hall–was that just to protect me?”
I couldn’t fathom his thinking right now. “Julian, my phone was confiscated earlier, so I couldn’t reach out. How badly are you injured?”
“I’m fine. The airbags protected me from serious harm. Is he holding you against your will? Should I report him to the police?”
“We’re technically still mates,” I said softly. “There’s no proof of imprisonment. Julian, I’m truly grateful for everything, but please don’t trouble yourself further.”
“Today was simply his warning. You have good intentions, but I’m really not worth the effort. Knowing you’re safe puts my mind at ease. Goodbye.”
I quickly ended the call, leaving Julian stunned on the other end. Holding the phone, he smiled foolishly–realizing the harsh words I’d spoken that day hadn’t been meant for Dominic after all.
Returning the phone to Auntie Helen, I dragged my weary body back into the room to rest.
I didn’t know how long I slept, but in my hazy consciousness, I heard the bedroom door softly close.
The air was thick with the sharp scent of alcohol. Its pungent odor triggered immediate nausea within me.
Before I could fully awaken, Dominic carelessly tossed his coat aside and climbed into the bed.
As the mattress dipped under his weight, I heard his low voice murmuring beside me:
“Dear, I’m back…”
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