Chapter 24
She didn’t speak until he finally quieted down. Then, without a shred of hesitation, she crushed the paper stars beneath her heel–twisting them for good measure.
“It’s been years. We’re divorced. Any promises we made back then don’t count anymore. Not like you kept yours.”
“This is getting pathetic, Lucian. You’re not exactly incapable of loving someone else. Do these tricks with Vanessa–or whatever woman you’re into now. Get yourself ten, a hundred, no one’s stopping you.”
“You’ve got all the freedom you wanted. So why are you still so obsessed with me?”
Her words landed squarely on his heart like a punch.
Lucian’s lips parted, trembling with bitterness. He struggled to find the words, his voice dry and hoarse when he finally spoke. “I don’t want anyone else. I only want you.”
“Celeste, I mean it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Just you. If you don’t believe me, then watch me. If I mess up again, you can punish me however you want. Anything.”
“Not interested.” Her voice was tired, flat. She turned and walked away without another word.
“I’ll walk you back,” Damon said, falling into step beside her. As they passed Lucian, he kicked a few candles over without
so much as a glance.
Flames licked at the paper stars on the ground, spreading fast. Within seconds, the fragile little stars were ablaze.
“No–those cranes were from Celeste!”
Lucian frantically slapping at the fire with his bare hands. Blisters burst across his knuckles as the flames seared his skin -but he didn’t seem to feel a thing. He just kept trying to put out the fire.
But it was too late.
Almost all the paper stars had been reduced to ashes, leaving nothing behind but a scorched patch of ground.
The chaos had ruined everything. Scattered rose petals were crushed underfoot, the once–beautiful display reduced to a
mess of smoke, wax, and disappointment.
There was nothing romantic left.
Lucian sank to his knees, clutching the last unburnt star like it was the only thing keeping him alive.
How far would he have to go before she forgave him?
Would she only be satisfied if he was torn apart, on the edge of death?
The next morning, Lucian handed a whip–one laced with thorns–to his bodyguard.
“Use this on me. Beat me within an inch of my life. Then take me to her. Let her see me beg.”
The bodyguard hesitated, staring at the gleam of the thorns.
“Mr. Sullivan… are you serious? You might actually die. And what if she still doesn’t forgive you?”
“That’s none of your business. You’re my employee. Do what I tell you.”
Chapter 24
24.74%
Lucian snapped, his tone like a blade of ice.
He shut his eyes, bracing himself for what was to come.
The bodyguard swallowed hard… and raised the whip.
CRACK! The whip sliced through the air and landed hard across Lucian’s back. The barbs fore into his flesh, ripping out thin strands of muscle as they came away red. His shirt split instantly, his skin flayed open.
“Nggh…” Lucian gritted his teeth, a strangled groan escaping. His face went ghostly pale.
“Keep going!” he growled.
The bodyguard steeled himself–and obeyed. Lash after lash rained down, relentless.
No one knew how many times the whip had landed. By the end, Lucian’s body was soaked in blood. His back was a mangled ruin of torn flesh, a sight that made even the guard hesitate..
Cold sweat drenched his forehead. His lips–bitten through–dripped scarlet.
There wasn’t a patch of unbroken skin left on him. He looked already halfway dead.
Panicked, the bodyguard dropped the whip and carried Lucian to Celeste’s place, just as instructed.
“Ma’am? Ms. Adams? Please! Mr. Sullivan’s not gonna make it–just see him one last time!”
Celeste frowned at the noise outside. She had no idea what kind of stunt Lucian was pulling now.
Another act?
She stepped out and took one look at the blood–soaked man on the stretcher. Her chest didn’t ache. She didn’t feel the
slightest flicker of pity. Only rage.
“Lucian, this pathetic performance doesn’t work on me! You think threatening me with your life is some kind of noble gesture? You think just because you don’t care if you live or die, I’m supposed to feel sorry for you? Forgive you? In your
dreams!”
She slapped him hard across the face, fury spilling from every word.
