Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Third POV:
Celeste didn’t hit the ground. Someone caught her just in time.
However, when she looked up, the hand steadying her was Lucas’s, not Dominic’s. Standing just a short distance away, Dominic observed the scene with chilling indifference. Not even the slightest trace of concern flickered in his dark eyes.
Of course, in his mind, how could someone fail to stand properly on flat ground? No doubt, he assumed she was putting on yet another act.
His heart had long since filled with hatred for her, leaving no room for care or compassion.
It was Lucas who anxiously asked, “Madam, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Celeste answered with a bitter, self–mocking smile. “Just a little low blood sugar.” Taking a breath, she steadied herself and quietly followed Dominic’s distant figure toward the mansion.
Overnight, the courtyard had become blanketed in snow. The servants of the old estate were nowhere to be seen, leaving the piled snow untouched. Just a few steps through the chilling wind made Celeste gasp weakly.
As she struggled through the snow toward the mansion, longing for warmth, Dominic was already standing near the doorway. He looked down at her with mockery evident in his cold eyes. “I have to admit, your acting skills have improved considerably.”
Celeste remembered clearly how she had done everything possible to keep him in the past–even resorting to tears, tantrums, and threats of suicide–actions she had always loathed herself.
Hearing his sarcastic remark, she felt a deep sense of irony but didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she sneered lightly and replied, “Thank you for the compliment.”
Composing herself, she brushed past Dominic and stepped inside. The cozy warmth in the room eased some of her tension. Removing her thick down jacket, she poured herself a glass of warm water and sank softly onto the sofa, lifting her gaze to him. “Tell me clearly now–do you want this divorce or not?”
“When it’s time for the divorce, I’ll inform you. Until then, you will remain here,” he said coldly.
Celeste sat across from him, outwardly calm, idly twisting the pom–pom on her knitted hat between her fingertips.
“Dominic, the seventh day after my premature delivery, you proposed divorcing me,” she said softly, voice trembling slightly. “I could never understand your rush until I saw a child resembling you. Or hen did I realize your urgency to discard me was so Marina and her child could have a proper family.”
Her voice choked with hidden pain. “For an entire year, no matter how cold you became, I stubbornly clung to
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Luna’s Ascent: When I Walked Away, Alpha Wept
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Chapter 18
memories of your past kindness, using them to justify your cruelty and betrayal.”
“I told myself maybe it was just a momentary mistake, that since I was your legally wedded wife, I must have done something wrong for you to treat me so harshly. I was willing to change–I could even tolerate your transgressions.”
“But now,” Celeste whispered bitterly, “I finally see how foolish I was. While you spent your days happily with another woman and child, I sat alone in that empty, desolate home, waiting desperately for someone who would
never return.”
“It took a full year for me to face reality, to realize the extent of my foolishness. So, I’ve chosen to let go,” she said, rising unsteadily and approaching him slowly, tears silently streaming down her pale face onto the cold marble floor.
She stopped right in front of Dominic, gazing down at the man seated proudly before her. His face was an emotionless mask, his powerful presence imposing and intimidating–like a stern disciplinarian capable of
erupting in anger at any moment.
Once, this cold expression was reserved for everyone but her. Whenever he looked at Celeste, there had always been a subtle gentleness beneath his stern demeanor. But now, she realized, she was nothing more than another stranger
to him.
Perhaps she should have given up on this man a long time ago.
Lowering her gaze, Celeste parted her lips, her voice breaking with rarely shown vulnerability. “Dominic, I’m letting you go. Can you please do the same for me?”
The quiet desperation in her voice made Dominic’s heart tighten involuntarily. He saw clearly the profound exhaustion etched across her delicate features, like a dam that had stood resiliently for years against relentless floods but had finally cracked, its final surrender swallowing it entirely.
Giving up was always easier than enduring.
When the dam finally collapsed, no one would remember how bravely it had resisted, how lonely and difficult its battle had been, or how tragic its surrender truly was.
She was right, Dominic realized bitterly. Besides his desire for revenge, he’d wanted the divorce quickly so his son could bear his family name legitimately.
But seeing Celeste finally relinquish her stubborn hold, Dominic found no joy or relief, only a vague sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
“If you’re hoping I’ll show mercy and spare you, you’re dreaming,” Dominic suddenly sneered, a cruel determination flashing in his eyes.
“From now on, you’ll remain here. Alive, you’re mine; and even in death, you’ll belong solely to
Celeste’s tears silently dropped onto his cold expression, and Dominic felt as if those tears had seeped directly into his heart, unsettling him deeply.
I Wallad AurOU
Alpha Went
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Chapter 18
Impatiently, he took out his phone and thrust a photo in front of her–Julian lying injured, being taken away by an
ambulance.
“If you dare contact him again,” he threatened darkly, “it will be his entire family lying there next time. Celeste, don’t even think about living happily in this lifetime.”
“You monster!” Celeste’s voice shook with fury and fear. “If you hate me, come after me. What right do you have to hurt Julian?” She tried to slap him, but Dominic easily caught her wrist mid–air.
“You care that much about him?” Dominic asked ruthlessly. “Don’t forget–until we divorce, you’ll always remain Luna Kingsford.”
“I-”
Before she could finish, Dominic suddenly lifted her effortlessly in his arms. Anger radiated violently from him as
he threw her onto their master bedroom’s bed without gentleness.
Thankfully, the mattress was soft enough to cushion the harsh landing, and Celeste wasn’t hurt. But the abrupt movement made her already spinning head even dizzier.
Weak and breathless, she collapsed helplessly onto the bed, trembling and fearful as she watched him approach.
Dominic’s elegant fingers impatiently loosened his tie, a dark, predatory smirk forming on his lips as he stepped closer. Like a rogue wolf finally broke free, his restrained madness seemed ready to unleash upon her.
“Celeste,” he spoke with a twisted tenderness he hadn’t used in nearly two years, making her shiver with discomfort, “these past few days, did he touch you?”
She shook her head desperately, trying to explain despite her rising panic. “We’re just friends. It’s not what you imagine.”
“Friends?” Dominic scoffed coldly, a merciless sneer on his lips. “Until now you’re still cheating.”
He roughly grabbed Celeste’s ankle, pulling off her shoes and socks. After countless sleepless nights spent searching fruitlessly for her, his accumulated rage had reached a boiling point.
Finally finding an outlet for his pent–up frustration, his golden eyes glittered with Alpha anger and desire.
Celeste knew exactly what that look meant. Trembling uncontrollably, she pleaded weakly, tears filling her eyes, “Please, Dominic–don’t…”
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