Chapter 4
“Call the police…” Celeste forced out the words. “Let the law… handle it…”
Lucian suddenly let out a low, mocking laugh. He leaned down, bracing both hands on either side of her hospital bed. His handsome face hovered inches from hers—striking and cold enough to chill her to the bone. “Have you forgotten who I am? I run Sullivan Holdings. You really think the police will take your case?”
He straightened and casually adjusted his cufflinks. “As long as I’m around, you could dial the mayor’s office and it still wouldn’t make a difference.”
“Stop making a scene. I already told you—Vanessa’s just a fling. I’ll grow tired of her soon. So stop picking on her.”
With that, he turned and left.
As the door clicked shut behind him, tears finally broke free.
She bit her lip hard to stop herself from sobbing, but the trembling of her shoulders gave her away.
Lucian didn’t show up again for days.
Then suddenly, on the day of her discharge, he appeared.
“Get in,” he ordered, standing in the doorway of her hospital room. There was no room for refusal in his tone.
Celeste silently got into the car, only to realize they weren’t headed home.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“The yacht,” Lucian replied, one hand on the wheel, the other loosening his tie. “It’s Vanessa’s birthday party. You’re going to apologize.”
Celeste whipped her head around. “Me? Apologize to her?!”
“She’s been acting cold toward me lately,” Lucian said, glancing at her with a slight frown. “Clearly still feeling guilty about hitting you.”
“Lucian Sullivan!” Celeste’s voice trembled. “I was the one who got hit! I’m the one with broken ribs!”
Screeech—
The sharp sound of brakes pierced the silence.
Lucian stomped on the brake pedal and turned to look at Celeste.
Outside, neon lights shimmered across his chiseled features, casting his face in harsh shadows.
“Celeste,” he said, voice low and threatening, “your grandma’s still in the hospital, isn’t she?”
“If you don’t want her finding out about us, then behave.”
Celeste stared at him, utterly stunned.
He was threatening her… with her grandmother?
Had he forgotten? Three years ago, he’d knelt before that same elderly woman, eyes red with emotion, begging for her granddaughter’s hand.
He’d said it so sincerely then—
“Grandma, I swear I’ll protect Celeste with my life. I won’t let her suffer, not even a little—not in this lifetime.”
And now?
Celeste bit down hard on her lip, only releasing when she tasted blood.
She turned away, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. “…Fine,” she whispered.
…
The cruise ship blazed with lights, Champagne towers sparkled beneath the crystal chandeliers.
Vanessa stood at the center, surrounded by a crowd of girlfriends. Dressed in a white gown, her skin glowed like porcelain. Her smile was radiant and charming.
“Mr. Sullivan really spoils you,” one girl in a pink dress gushed. “This birthday party is insane!”
“I know, right?” another chimed in. “We’re only here because of you!”
Vanessa lowered her head bashfully, fingers lightly tracing the diamond necklace around her neck—an absolute fortune. “Don’t say that… Mr. Sullivan’s already married, and his wife is our professor.”
“So what?” one girl snorted. “He’s clearly only into you now.”
“Exactly,” another girl laughed. “That marriage has been dead in name only for ages!”
Lucian walked over then, his tall figure casting a long shadow under the chandelier.
He seemed unbothered by their whispers. His gaze landed on Celeste. “Apologize,” he said calmly.
Under everyone’s stare, Celeste stepped forward to Vanessa. Her heels echoed on the deck with each step, dull and heavy—each one like a blow to her own heart.
“Professor Adams?” Vanessa blinked, red lips parting in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Celeste dug her nails into her palm, eyes rimmed red. “…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten in your way when you hit me and made you feel guilty these past few days.”
