Chapter 25
Celestina stood in front of her vanity, the warm glow of the table lamp casting a soft light across her room. She hummed quietly as she worked through her nightly skincare routine, relishing these moments of solitude.
First, she tied her hair back into a loose bun, securing it with a pearl-studded clip. She reached for her cleanser, massaging the silky foam into her skin with deliberate, circular motions. The scent of lavender and chamomile filled the air, soothing her frayed nerves.
Rinsing her face, she patted it dry with a plush towel, then carefully applied toner with a cotton pad, the cool liquid refreshing against her skin. Next came a hydrating serum, which she smoothed over her cheeks and forehead with gentle upward strokes.
After letting the serum sink in, she grabbed her favorite jade roller and began gliding it over her face, relishing the cooling sensation as it worked to reduce any tension. Finally, she finished with a rich night cream and a dab of eye cream, her skin glowing under the light.
Satisfied, she turned on her speaker and played one of her favorite upbeat playlists. As the first notes filled the room, Celestina couldn’t help but sway to the rhythm. Soon, she was dancing, twirling in her silk nightgown, the stresses of the day momentarily forgotten.
Her phone buzzed on the vanity, pulling her out of her reverie. She twirled over, laughing breathlessly, only to groan when she saw the name on the screen: Kael Veridan.
She rolled her eyes, her good mood faltering. “What now?” she muttered, setting the phone back down without reading the message.
Deciding to finish her routine, she dabbed a light mist of calming spray over her face and massaged lotion onto her hands. Finally, she turned off the lights, save for the soft bedside lamp, and climbed into bed.
But as she pulled the covers up, her curiosity got the better of her. With a sigh, she picked up her phone and opened Kael’s message.
Her heart sank as she opened the attachments. The first image showed a document with the heading:
“Operation Silence: Target—Amara Alvada.”
Her breath hitched. Her mother. The details below were chilling:
• Target: Amara Alvada, First Lady.
• Method: Poison administered via food or drink during a state dinner.
• Objective: Eliminate influence over the President without drawing suspicion.
• Status: Successful.
Celestina’s hand flew to her mouth. She had always suspected that her mother’s sudden death wasn’t natural, but to see it confirmed in cold, calculated detail sent a chill down her spine.
She scrolled to the next image, her stomach twisting.
“Operation Eclipse: Target—Celestina Alvada.”
Her eyes widened as she read the plan:
• Target: Celestina Alvada, the President’s Daughter.
• Method: Explosive device placed in close proximity during a public appearance.
• Objective: Destabilize President Alvada’s administration and intimidate allies.
• Status: Attempted, failed.
The timestamp matched the recent bombing at the restaurant. Her hands trembled as she swiped through more photos of plans targeting other figures in her father’s administration.
The sheer scope of the conspiracy left her breathless. It wasn’t just her family—several political figures, journalists, and activists had been on this list, their lives reduced to cold calculations and brutal efficiency.
She couldn’t stay silent.
Without thinking, she dialed Kael’s number. The phone rang twice before someone picked up, but the voice on the other end wasn’t his.
“Kaela?” Celestina said, recognizing the voice of Kael’s younger sister.
“Celestina?” Kaela’s voice was frantic. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to speak to your brother immediately. It’s important,” Celestina said, urgency clear in her tone.
There was a pause, then Kaela’s voice broke, trembling. “You can’t. He’s… he’s in the hospital.”
Celestina’s heart sank. “The hospital? What happened?”
“He’s been poisoned,” Kaela said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’s in critical condition. The doctors are doing everything they can.”
