Chapter 14
Celeste POV:
Lila had a terribly low tolerance for alcohol. In fact, she had virtually none at all.”
If I hadn’t intervened, she would’ve continued partying wildly in that private room. I’d never seen her cling so desperately to strangers, complaining loudly that she felt like a lonely old she wolf.
Secing her completely wasted, I had no choice but to take her back to my newly rented apartment.
Earlier, one of the nurses from my father’s hospital had approached me when she overheard I needed a new place. She recommended an apartment that belonged to one of her relatives. By going directly through the owner, I could save the agent’s fee. Plus, with the nurse as a reference, I felt reassured enough to agree.
The owner wouldn’t be back anytime soon, and although we hadn’t signed an official contract yet, they’d given me verbal permission. I’d already started cleaning the place and slowly moving in.
Without any official paperwork, it would be difficult for Dominic to track me down quickly.
This apartment, although far less luxurious than the Parker family mansion or the villa Dominic once gave me, was filled with a simple warmth. The first time I entered, I instantly loved it.
I even bought a couple of moonflower potted plants and a small fish tank with ornamental fish, which my father
liked to fiddle with when he wasn’t sick.
Every morning, when I opened the window, I could see the distant sea. Once, I’d thought the Noble Springs Residence was Dominic’s gift to me. But soon after Marina returned from abroad, she immediately took it over.
At first, I’d secretly been heartbroken about it. But now I realized: no matter how grand or simple the house, the view of the sea remained unchanged. The sea is always generous and accommodating.
The apartment even had a small terrace, and I’d thoughtfully spread thick blankets across the chairs there. Originally, I’d planned that once my father recovered, he could move in our house, enjoying a leisurely retirement
by the ocean.
Yet life rarely followed our plans. I never imagined I’d fall seriously ill, nor that Dad would end up lying
unconscious in an ICU bed.
After having a few drinks with Lila, my stomach felt terribly uncomfortable. Taking some medicine, I curled up in the little crib I’d brought here from our old place. Only by curling tightly into a small ball could I fall asleep these days.
Tonight, aided by alcohol, I finally slept deeply and peacefully. When I awoke, the sun had already risen hig sky.
he
13:23
Luna’s Ascent: When I Walked Away, Alpha Wept
14.4%
Chapter 14
Lila had prepared breakfast for me, clearly avoiding any mention of the previous night’s emotional mess.
Adults always seemed skilled at hiding their vulnerability in daylight. Lila hurried toward the door, high heels clicking urgently, a slice of toast hanging from her mouth. “Gotta run, Celeste! If I stay any longer I’ll be late. Talk to you later!”
I quickly stopped her. “Lila, I might be very busy in the coming days. I probably won’t be able to hang out or keep you company.”
She paused in the doorway, her gaze gentle. “Don’t worry, I’m not naive. Besides, do you really think I burn through money for fun every day? Last night was just our goodbye to youth. Men are worthless, anyway. You’re the one who needs support, so promise me–you’ll ask if you need help. Don’t work yourself so hard alone.”
Warmth filled my heart at her sincere worry. “I understand. I promise.”
Walking Lila to the door, I hugged her gently.
“Lila, you deserve someone better. Today’s heartbreak is tomorrow’s happiness.”
She rolled her eyes dramatically, smiling through sadness. “You think I’m still so naive? Even the best men don’t appreciate me. Besides, where can I find a better one anyway?”
Looking into the sunlight streaming through the window, I softly replied, “Who knows what the future holds…”
Lila hesitated a moment before turning back and hugging me tightly again. “I’ll be busy these next few days too, but when I’m free, we’ll hang out properly. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Winter’s coming, and even if you don’t have anyone holding your hand, please stay warm.”
I managed a quiet whisper. “…I promise.”
After Lila left, I cleaned up the apartment and finally switched my phone back on.
Unexpectedly, I noticed several missed calls from Dominic. Likely they were about our pending divorce, but I didn’t have time or energy for him right now.
Elizabeth had also left numerous unanswered calls. After a brief hesitation, I called back.
She picked up immediately, voice heavy with worry. “Celeste, why haven’t you answered your mom’s calls? I’ve been so worried about you. How much more money do you need? I’ll transfer it right now.”
Standing by the window, listening quietly to the sound of ocean waves crashing against the rocks below, my mood slowly calmed.
For years after my mom left, I’d carried deep resentment and unanswered questions. Discovering she was now Marina’s stepmother had only deepened my pain. Of all people, why Marina?
Yet now, faced with Elizabeth’s genuine concern, I couldn’t blame her, nor could I fully forgive.
“Mom, I’m fine now. Dominic gave me money, so don’t worry about Dad’s medical fees,” I said, keeping my voice
12.24
I una’s Ascent: When I Walked Away. Alpha Wept
14.7%
Chapter 14
neutral.
But Elizabeth persisted, anxiety clear in her tone, “Celeste, tell me where you are. I really want to see you–to make up for all these lost years.”
Gazing at the endless sea, my voice grew colder, tinged with bitterness. “If you truly cared, you wouldn’t have gone silent for years without a single phone call. Dad was critically ill, and you didn’t even check on him when you returned. My mistake–I was desperate enough to seek help and foolishly believed I still had a mother. I won’t make that mistake again.”
She hurriedly tried to respond, “Celeste, listen-”
But I continued, firmly cutting her off, “Let’s just go back to how things were. I’ll take care of Dad alone. You pretend you never had me as your daughter, and I’ll pretend I never had a mother like you.”
It wasn’t about losing face in front of Marina. Rather, my heart ached because Elizabeth had been entirely absent when I needed her most. While I faced crises alone, she had been caring for someone else’s daughter.
Ending the call, I quickly resigned from my part–time job and sent a short message to Dominic, simply stating that I was busy these days and we would deal with our divorce later.
No matter the truth behind our twisted marriage, there was no way Dominic and I could ever return to what we’d
once been. We couldn’t even be friends, let alone mates.
After sorting out my affairs, I headed to the hospital. Julian stood in front of the building, alone and bathed in sunlight, his figure tall and reassuring.
He looked at me with gentle warmth, carefully masking the sympathy in his eyes. “Are you scared?”
“I was at first,” I admitted softly, “but seeing you waiting here, I feel calmer.”
“Don’t worry,” he promised. “I’ve personally prepared your chemotherapy medication. I’ll do everything possible to
minimize the side effects.”
“Thank you, Julian,” I whispered gratefully.
Entering the chemotherapy ward felt like stepping from the world of living straight into hell itself.
All around me were patients–young and old alike–either wearing wigs, hats, or bravely baring their bald heads. Some wandered the halls, faces pale and hollow, expressions devoid of hope.
I knew soon enough, I would become one of them–eyes dimmed, empty of all hope.
My steps became heavier, my courage faltering with every step. Julian had thoughtfully arranged a private room for me, yet even this tiny comfort felt insufficient against the storm I faced.
A young nurse approached, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “Miss Parker, right? Dr. Locksley informed us you’d
be coming today. Please have your family handle the admission paperwork and settle the treatment fees first.”
13:24
Luna’s Ascent: When I Walked Away, Alpha Wept
15.0%
Chapter 14
An awkward silence stretched as 1 stood there, alone and helpless, like a child without parents at a school gathering People passing by cast sympathetic glances, clearly pitying the young woman preparing to face chemotherapy all
alone.
I bit down on my lip, holding back my embarrassment. “I… I don’t have any family. Could I just hire a caregiver to stay with me?”
The nurse hesitated. “Well…hospital policy requires a family member to sign. Don’t you have any relatives? Perhaps a partner or parents, or even siblings?”
At that moment, Julian calmly stepped forward, gently placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. His voice, steady and clear, broke through the painful silence:
“I’ll sign for her. I’m her family.”
♡ (0)
