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Chapter 25
After everything she’d been through–so many times skirting the edge of death–this was the one thing she couldn’t stand the most: People like him, who treated life like it was a disposable bargaining chip.
She had clawed her way back from death over and over again, and yet he still thought pain and blood were just tools to
get what he wanted.
It was revolting.
Lucian had long gone numb from the pain, but her reaction still made something in him twist with panic and
helplessness.
“I’m sorry, Celeste… I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to… I just–I didn’t know what else to do… I can’t get through to you…”
His body was so weak that every word seemed to drain what little strength he had left.
He was drenched in blood, barely holding on, but he still stubbornly reached out to touch her hand–just like he used to. Hoping he could hold her again. That she’d let him in.
But Celeste pulled her hand away, cold and distant. The only thing she did was call for an ambulance.
“Celeste… Celeste!”
Even as the EMTs carried him to the ambulance, he kept calling her name, eyes fixed on her until the very last second.
She just stood there, utterly drained.
That’s when Damon appeared at her side and said quietly, “If this keeps up, it’s going to start affecting your work in the
lab. You might want to figure out a way to make him give up–for good.”
“You got any ideas?” Celeste turned to him, raising a brow. “I already reached out to his parents and relatives, but it didn’t
help. Once Lucian sets his mind on something, it’s as good as done.”
“As long as you don’t want it, then it’s not going to happen,” Damon said firmly, locking eyes with her.
Before she could respond, Damon reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a small velvet ring box.
He popped it open, revealing two elegant, simple rings.
“Marry me. A contract marriage. That way he’ll finally let go.”
Celeste stood frozen, needing a moment to fully process what he’d just said.
As if to keep her from overthinking it and to reassure her, Damon added calmly, “This project is important. Professor
Smith is getting older. He’s here to guide us and verify results, but most of the work falls on us. We’ll be leading the entire
team.”
“I want to be completely focused. No distractions–especially not from Lucian.”
Those words put her at ease.
Celeste didn’t flatter herself into thinking he was drawn to her romantically. What he’d said lined up perfectly with what she knew of Damon’s personality.
ུན་ཙ ཅ།
Over time, she’d come to realize that Damon was a complete research fanatic–someone who’d gladly spend every waking
Chapter 25
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moment in the lab. He probably wouldn’t even step outside for air until the entire project wrapped.
So maybe a marriage of convenience with a man like that wasn’t such a bad idea. At least they’d be working toward the
same goal.
After a brief pause, she nodded. “Okay.”
She took one of the rings and slipped it onto her own finger. Then she grabbed his hand and helped him wear the other.
“Before he has a chance to cause more trouble, let’s draw up the contract, fly back home, and make this legal.”
She didn’t hesitate.
Damon blinked, taken aback for a second–but then he gave a quiet nod.
“Alright.”
They were perfectly in sync. The contract was simple and straightforward: their marriage would automatically end once the project was complete.
That same night, they flew back home. After signing the agreement, they headed straight to City Hall with their IDs.
Just like that, the marriage license was official. It almost felt unreal.
But they didn’t linger in that feeling. After resting for a bit upon returning to Cresvia, they changed into matching outfits,
held hands, and made their way to Lucian’s hospital room
