Chapter 32
The morning sun streamed through the windows of the presidential palace, casting a golden glow over the sprawling gardens outside. Celestina stood in front of the mirror in her guest suite, adjusting the delicate gold bracelet Dimitri had gifted her that morning. She wore a sleek cream blouse tucked into tailored black pants, her hair pulled into a simple yet elegant bun.
Dimitri entered the room, carrying her travel bag. He was dressed casually in a crisp white shirt and dark slacks, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. His dark eyes softened as he looked at her.
“Ready to go, malika?” he asked, using the Arabic word for “queen,” his voice warm with affection.
She smiled, walking toward him. “Ready as I’ll ever be. But you do realize my father will never stop texting me, even from across the world.”
Dimitri laughed, wrapping an arm around her waist. “That’s what fathers are for. But don’t worry—I’ll handle your texts if it means keeping you stress-free.”
“Such a hero,” she teased, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
“I do my best,” he replied, his grin playful. “Now, let’s get you to the airport. Your private jet awaits.”
The black SUV sped smoothly along the highway, flanked by two security cars. Dimitri and Celestina sat in the back, enjoying a rare moment of quiet after the chaos of the reception the night before.
Despite Kael’s unexpected outburst, the evening had gone perfectly. Celestina’s father had delivered a heartfelt toast, and the guests had rallied around her and Dimitri, showering them with congratulations and well-wishes.
Celestina leaned her head on Dimitri’s shoulder, her fingers intertwined with his. “Thank you for yesterday,” she said softly.
“For what?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“For being there. For standing by me, even when Kael tried to ruin everything.”
Dimitri’s expression darkened slightly. “He’s desperate, habibti. But that doesn’t mean he has the right to disrupt your life. You don’t owe him anything.”
“I know,” she said. “And I meant what I said last night. I’ve moved on. With you.”
Dimitri smiled, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “And I’ll always be here, Celestina. No matter what.”
The moment was shattered by a deafening screech of tires.
The SUV swerved violently, the sound of metal crunching against metal echoing through the air. Celestina’s body was thrown sideways as the vehicle spun out of control, her heart pounding in terror.
“Dimitri!” she screamed, her hands scrambling to grab onto something.
“I’ve got you!” Dimitri shouted, his arms wrapping around her protectively.
The SUV flipped, the world spinning into chaos. Glass shattered, and the shriek of grinding metal pierced the air. The impact was brutal, throwing Celestina against the side door as the vehicle came to a halt.
For a moment, there was silence.
Celestina opened her eyes, her vision blurry. Pain radiated through her body, but she ignored it, her focus narrowing to Dimitri.
“Dimitri?” she croaked, her voice trembling.
He was slumped against the seat, blood trickling down his temple. His chest rose and fell faintly, but his eyes remained closed.
“Dimitri!” she cried, shaking him.
The sound of shouting reached her ears as the security cars pulled up, guards rushing to the wreckage.
“Help us!” Celestina screamed, her voice cracking.
The guards pried open the mangled door, pulling her out carefully. “Ma’am, are you alright?” one of them asked, his voice urgent.
“I’m fine,” she said, her tone sharp with panic. “Get Dimitri! Please!”
They moved quickly, extracting Dimitri’s limp form from the vehicle. Medics arrived moments later, their faces grim as they assessed his injuries.
“Is he okay?” Celestina demanded, her hands trembling as she tried to follow them to the ambulance.
One of the medics stopped her gently. “We’ll do everything we can, ma’am.”
The hours that followed were a blur. Celestina sat in the stark white waiting room, her hands clutching the bracelet Dimitri had given her. Her father arrived shortly after, his face pale with worry.
“I came as soon as I heard,” he said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
“He has to be okay,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “He has to be.”
A doctor emerged from the operating room, his face etched with exhaustion. Celestina and her father rose to meet him, hope clinging desperately to her heart.
“Miss Alvada,” the doctor began carefully, “I’m so sorry. We did everything we could, but the injuries were too severe.”
