Chapter 3
Vanessa feigned panic. “I… I really shouldn’t. She’s your wife. And she’s my professor… How could I ever hit my teacher?”
“Then let the bodyguards do it.” Lucian’s voice remained gentle—while saying the cruelest words. “That way you won’t have to get your hands dirty.”
Celeste’s pupils contracted, staring in disbelief at the man who once shielded her from the world. “Lucian… do you even hear yourself right now?”
Lucian didn’t even spare her a glance. He raised his hand and gave the order. “Do it.”
Two towering bodyguards stepped forward and slammed her against the wall, pinning her in place.
Smack!
The first slap exploded against her cheek. A sharp ringing filled Celeste’s ears.
In a daze, she saw a memory from years ago—a stormy night when Lucian had once stood in front of her like a shield, growling, “Touch her and I’ll make you wish you were dead.”
Smack!
The second slap shattered the memory. Blood oozed from the corner of her mouth, staining her pale lips red.
Through the haze, she saw Lucian gently covering Vanessa’s eyes, whispering softly in her ear.
Vanessa let out a playful little squeal and lightly punched his chest.
…
By the tenth slap, Celeste could no longer feel the pain. Her body gave out, collapsing to the ground as stifled gasps of horror rippled through the students nearby.
Through blurry vision, she saw Lucian say gently to Vanessa, “Come on, let’s go get sushi at that place you love.”
Students in the hallway whispered behind cupped hands, “God… poor Professor Adams…”
“How could Mr. Sullivan do that to her?”
“That girl is disgusting. She slapped herself!”
Celeste propped herself up against the wall and slowly stood.
Her face throbbed, each step like a blade slicing into her skin.
But what was this pain compared to the gaping wound in her heart—raw, bleeding, torn open like someone had clawed through it.
She had thought… even if Lucian no longer loved her, he’d at least show some shred of compassion for the past they shared.
But he actually had her slapped ten times in front of the crowd, all for Vanessa.
As she stepped out the school gates, the autumn wind stung her bruised face. She gasped in pain.
Back at home, she stood before the mirror and stared at her wretched reflection. Her face was swollen, lips split, blood still dried at the edges.
And suddenly—she laughed.
Laughed until fat tears spilled down her cheeks.
It took her three days to heal the wounds on her face before she could go back to school like nothing had happened.
As soon as she stepped into her office, her phone rang. Dean Walker’s voice came through.
“Celeste, Vanessa Clarke skipped several midterm exams. As her academic advisor, you need to follow up with her.”
Celeste opened Vanessa’s social feed.
The latest post showed her at an auction, a priceless diamond necklace draped around her neck, with the caption: Mr. Sullivan said this necklace suits me perfectly~
Scrolling further, it was all pictures of her and Lucian out at lavish venues: private yachts, Michelin-starred restaurants, equestrian clubs…
Celeste dialed Vanessa’s number.
The background music was loud. Vanessa’s cheerful voice answered, “Hello? Professor?”
“You missed your midterm exams,” Celeste said matter-of-factly. “Dean Walker asked me to check in with you..”
“Oh, that,” Vanessa giggled. “It’s just a few exams. You’re close with the Dean—can’t you just enter some grades for me?”
She paused, then added smugly, “If that’s too much trouble, I’ll have Mr. Sullivan donate a few buildings. Problem solved, right?”
Lucian’s low laughter echoed from the background. “Having fun?”
“Mm-hmm~” Vanessa cooed back. Then she added to Celeste, “Professor, if it’s nothing urgent, don’t call again. We’re busy enjoying ourselves.”
Click. The call ended.
Celeste gave a bitter laugh and set her phone down. She didn’t bother following up.
That evening, as she headed home, she spotted Lucian in the front yard of the mansion, personally teaching Vanessa how to drive.
“Relax your grip on the wheel. Don’t be nervous.” He stood beside the driver’s seat, leaning down close to Vanessa, his voice impossibly soft. “Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.”
The scene pierced through Celeste like a blade.
Once, he had taught her to drive exactly like this.
When she fumbled and nearly hit a guardrail, he had only laughed and pinched her cheek. “What’s there to be afraid of? I’m right here.”
Now he was saying the exact same words to another girl.
“Try it on your own,” Lucian said, stepping back.
Vanessa bit her lip. “I—I’m scared I’ll hit someone…”
“It’s okay,” Lucian said, gently ruffling her hair. “I’m here.”
Reassured, Vanessa pressed the accelerator.
And then—she suddenly swerved straight at Celeste.
BAM!
Celeste was thrown into the air and slammed to the ground.
Blood spread beneath her, soaking the pavement.
Through the pain, she saw Lucian rushing toward her.
But the first thing he did was pull the panicked Vanessa into his arms. “Are you okay? Did it scare you?”
Celeste lay in a pool of blood, her vision darkening.
…
When she woke again, she was in a hospital bed.
“You’re awake?” Lucian stood at her bedside, face calm. “The doctor said you’ve fractured a few ribs. Don’t go back to work. Just rest.”
Celeste opened her mouth, but the pain in her chest silenced her. She could only glare at him with bloodshot eyes.
“Vanessa didn’t mean to hit you,” Lucian continued. “She just started learning. She panicked.”
“She… did it… on purpose…” Through the pain, Celeste forced each word between through gritted teeth. “I was nowhere near her…”
Lucian’s brows knit together, his tone turning impatient. “Celeste, what exactly do you want?”
