Chapter 7
Chapter 7
“While Miss Monroe doesn’t have cancer, her overall health is concerning,” the doctor
added, clearly sensing Damien’s lingering doubts.
“She’s severely malnourished. It’s possible she’s been dieting excessively.”
he doctor turned to Celeste with a gentle reprimand.
“Young women often want to stay slim, but extreme dieting is dangerous. Look at her–she’s
so pale, it’s no wonder Mr. Sterling thought she might be sick.”
Damien’s expression darkened.
“You’ve been starving yourself to make me believe you’re ill?”
His voice was icy, sharp enough to cut.
“What’s your goal, Celeste? To make me pity you? To force me to accept your feelings?
when will wake up
you
and face reality?”
Tears welled in Celeste’s eyes and spilled over, no matter how hard she tried to hold them
back.
She shook her head, desperate to deny it.
“I didn’t…” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“I really didn’t.”
But in the face of the evidence, her words felt hollow–even to her.
Damien’s disappointment was etched into every line of his face.
“What have I done to make you like this?” he muttered before turning away.
That moment shattered Celeste.
Without another word, Damien left the hospital, his arm wrapped protectively around
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Chapter 7
Isolde.
For the next week, Damien barely acknowledged Celeste.
She tried to mend the rift between them, but every attempt was met with cold indifference.
The night before Damien’s wedding to Isolde, Celeste finally confronted him.
“Uncle Damien,” she said softly, her eyes cast downward.
“You’re getting married tomorrow, and you still won’t talk to me?”
He regarded her with his usual icy demeanor.
“Have you finally given up?”
Celeste’s lashes fluttered as she nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.
“I have. I promise–I won’t lie to you again.”
This time, it wasn’t a lie.
She really had given up.
Because soon, she would be gone.
Damien didn’t respond immediately.
For a moment, his hardened gaze seemed to falter.
But then his resolve returned.
“Come to the wedding tomorrow,” he said, his tone flat.
“If you can sincerely wish us well, I’ll forgive you. But don’t try anything foolish. Isolde is the woman I’ve chosen, and nothing you do will change that.”
“I won’t cause trouble,” Celeste replied, her voice subdued.
Her calm compliance made something twist in Damien’s chest.
Chapter 7
He turned away, unable to meet her eyes.
As he walked away, Celeste spoke again.
“Uncle Damien… after the wedding, can you have one last meal with me?”
He stopped but didn’t turn around.
“Tomorrow’s my birthday,” she said softly.
“You’ve always spent my birthday with me. Could you do it just one more time? After the ceremony is over, maybe around four in the afternoon… just a slice of cake, a quick ‘happy birthday,‘ and I’ll be satisfied.“.
Damien hesitated before giving a curt nod.
“Fine.”
Celeste spent the entire night wide awake, staring at the ceiling as the hours crawled by.
hen dawn finally broke, she got up, carefully dressed, and prepared herself to attend her uncle’s wedding.
