As usual, Lucian opened the liquor cabinet and began pulling out bottle after bottle.
The rare spirits he’d once saved for special occasions were long gone. He’d restocked the shelves more times than he
could count.
It was the only way he could fall asleep–drunk enough to blur the world, just enough to see Celeste again in his dreams.
He cracked open another bottle and threw it back, drinking straight from the neck. It didn’t take long for it to run dry.
But still, he felt stone–cold sober.
It wasn’t until a small mountain of empty bottles piled up around him that the familiar haze finally began to settle in.
Somewhere between awake and unconscious, he drifted into a dream.
This time, he shoved Vanessa aside as she threw herself in front of his car–didn’t even spare her a glance.
He bought Celeste’s favorite cake and left it on her desk, waiting for her to come home.
Every time Vanessa tried to get close, he shut her down instantly–and poured all his warmth and attention into Celeste
instead.
It was an ordinary life. But it was the kind of enduring happiness people spend a lifetime chasing.
When Lucian stirred awake, he was smiling without realizing it.
Then reality hit. The massive house was still empty. Silent. And he was still alone, clinging to photo frames like they were
lifelines.
Drunk and disoriented, he clutched the bottle close, his mind foggy, loneliness etched into every line of his body.
Just then, Connor sent through the latest updates on Celeste’s whereabouts.
Apparently, she never stayed in one place for long–maybe to avoid being found by him.
Every time they tracked her down, she’d already packed up and moved on.
But this time, Connor got lucky. They’d finally found her. The moment her location was confirmed, he texted Lucian right
away.
When Lucian didn’t respond, Connor didn’t panic. He’d probably passed out again.
So the phone rang.
It buzzed for a long time before Lucian finally furrowed his brows and picked up.
“What is it?”
“Mr. Sullivan, we’ve confirmed her latest stop–she’s in Ravenshade, near Stonebridge. If we move fast, we might actually catch her this time!”
Lucian sobered instantly. He cleared his throat.
“Get the nearest team on her now–don’t let her out of your sight. Book me the next flight out. I’m leaving now.”
Chapter 19
19.59%
He ended the call, grabbed only the essentials, and headed straight for the airport.
As the plane took off toward Stonebridge, his chest tightened. He ran through apology after apology in his mind, desperate to get them right.
At the same time, Celeste had no idea Lucian was closing in.
She’d been traveling the world, chasing the sights and cultures she’d once dreamed of but never had the freedom to
pursue.
This was the dream she gave up when she married Lucian straight out of college. Back then, he was so possessive, he wanted to stay attached to her every second, never apart.
But his work tied him down. Even when he could manage business trips or take leave, there was never an opportunity for
the kind of world travel she dreamed of.
So she stayed. Went to grad school. Became a professor.
Every spare moment she had, she spent with him. That dream of world travel was postponed again and again.
Now, Celeste had finally had her fill of wandering. She’d accepted an invitation from a professor at a top university in the Cresvia, to assist with a project she was genuinely passionate about.
They’d first met when their universities partnered up on an exchange program.
He’d offered her a research role back then, impressed by her talent. She turned him down for Lucian. This time, she
wouldn’t.
Celeste packed up her bags, checked out of the hotel, and wheeled her suitcase toward the airport terminal.
Meanwhile, Lucian’s flight had just landed. Through the crowd, his eyes found her instantly.
“Celeste!”
His voice pierced the noise of the terminal, reaching her ears.
Instinctively, she lifted her head–and their gazes locked.
