I can't breathe.
The walls of my chamber feel like they're closing in, suffocating me with every unanswered question spinning in my head. I clutch my hands into fists, trying to ground myself, but it's useless. Cassian lied to me.
The man I fought for. The man I chose again.
I push up from the couch, ignoring the untouched breakfast on the table, and grab my keys. The only place I can think of is the library; my sanctuary.
I storm in, locking the door behind me, and sink into my chair. I reach for a law book, something, anything to distract me. But the words blur. My mind won't stop.
How long has he been lying to me? Is our second marriage a lie? What does he stand to gain?
I think of calling my mother. Or Madam Joan. But what would I even say?
That my husband is hiding something? That my world feels like it's spinning out of control?
No. No one can help me right now.
I bury my fingers in my hair, tugging at my scalp in frustration. And then my eyes land on the portrait.
The former King.
His piercing gaze, frozen in time, seems sharper than before. It's as if he's looking right at me, through me. Judging me. Testing me.
I stare back, my breath shallow.
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
The thought forms, unbidden.
I exhale slowly. And then it hits me.
An idea. A way forward.
I stand abruptly, heart racing. My limbs no longer feel heavy with uncertainty. I grab my keys, step out of the library, and lock it behind me.
It's time to take action.
The moment Professor Joan sends me the new location, my world tilts.
Wild Villa.
My heart slams against my ribs. I stare at the screen, rereading the message, hoping, praying, that I'm mistaken.
But I'm not.
The SMS the night of the attack came from near our house. Cassian's house. The place he calls our sanctuary. The place where I'm supposed to feel safest.
A cold wave crashes over me. My hands tremble as I set my phone down.
This can't be a coincidence.
Cassian.
I feel lightheaded just thinking about it. The way he holds me, the way he stands up for me, the way he looks at me like I'm the only woman in the world. Is it all a lie? Is it all a game?
I clench my fists, pushing down the hysteria clawing at my throat. No. I can't break down. I need to be calm. Calculated. If Cassian is betraying me, I need to be sure before I make a move.
I pick up my phone and dial his number. My heart pounds as I listen to the ringing.
He picks up on the third ring. "Celeste?" His voice is warm, smooth, as if nothing is wrong.
I swallow hard, forcing my own voice to stay steady. "Hey, love. I just wanted to check on you."
A slight pause. "That's sweet of you. I was about to call. How's your day?"
He sounds normal. But that means nothing. I can't let my emotions cloud my judgment.
"It's fine. Just been studying. What about you?" I ask casually, standing by the window, staring blankly at the gardens below.
"Meetings all day," he sighs. "I'm exhausted. Can't wait to be home."
I press my fingers against my desk. "Where are you now?"
"Still in…" He names another city, miles away from Matica. "Won't be back for another two days."
Lies.
I force myself to chuckle. "That's a long trip."
He sighs. "Yeah, but it's necessary. Just a few more days, and I'll be home."
I glance at my phone screen, my fingers moving swiftly to check his live location. My breath catches in my throat as it loads.
Wild Villa.
He's not in another city. He's here. In Matica. Near the very place the text was sent from.
I close my eyes, gripping the edge of my desk to steady myself. The ground feels unsteady beneath me.
I don't trust my voice anymore. If I speak, I might scream. Or worse, cry.
"Celeste?" Cassian's voice pulls me back.
I inhale deeply, exhaling softly. Control yourself.
"Sorry, love," I say, forcing a soft laugh. "Just a little distracted. I should let you rest."
He chuckles. "Alright, sweetheart. Get some rest too. I'll call you later."
I end the call and drop my phone onto the table like it burns.
He lied.
Why?
What the hell is Cassian hiding?
I stand abruptly, heart racing. My limbs no longer feel heavy with uncertainty. I grab my keys, step out of the library, and lock it behind me.
It's time to take action.
I park a safe distance away from Wild Villa, cutting the engine and slipping out of the car in silence. The night is still, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind. Dressed in dark pants and a sweater, I move with quiet precision, my sneakers making no sound against the stone pavement.
Then I see it; the lights are on.
My pulse spikes as I inch closer to the house, keeping to the shadows. I approach the living room window and peer inside.
And my breath stops.
Cassian sits on the long couch, tense, his jaw locked. Across from him, a woman perches elegantly on the edge of the same couch. Her gown is sleek, shimmering, barely covering her thighs. She leans in, speaking softly, her hand reaching out to touch him.
He stiffens. I see it. He doesn't want this.
But then, she moves.
In one fluid motion, she stands and slides the straps of her dress down. The fabric pools at her feet. She stands there, completely naked.
I don't think. I don't hesitate. I move.
Slipping around the back of the house, I let myself inside, walking through the darkened hallway, my heart hammering. Each step feels heavier than the last as I push forward, my body filled with fire.
And then, I emerge into the living room.
Nancy.
She is on him. Straddling him, her arms around his neck.
A dead silence falls.
Nancy freezes. Cassian freezes. And I? I burn.
Before she can react, I move. Swift and precise. I grab her discarded gown from the floor, stride to the fireplace, and toss it into the flames.
It erupts, the silk curling in on itself as it turns to ash.
Nancy yelps and scrambles back, her bare body disappearing behind the heavy curtain. Coward.
Cassian.
He just stares at me.
Guilt etched into his face.