Chapter 60
The room felt smaller, the air heavier. Celestina stared at the envelope resting in her trembling hands, its plain white surface utterly unassuming yet carrying an inexplicable weight. A strange sense of dread and curiosity coiled tightly in her chest.
“Celestina?” Marissa asked cautiously, stepping closer. “What is it?”
Celestina blinked, realizing everyone in the room was watching her. The stylists, Elena, Marissa—they all wore expressions of concern, their curiosity barely concealed.
“Everyone out,” Celestina said suddenly, her voice calm but firm.
The women exchanged uncertain glances.
“Celestina, are you sure?” Marissa asked gently.
“Yes,” she replied, her tone brooking no argument. “I need to handle this alone.”
Though hesitant, they obeyed, filing out of the room one by one. The door clicked shut behind them, and silence descended.
Celestina exhaled shakily, the sound loud in the quiet space. She looked down at the envelope again, her hands gripping it tightly as though it might vanish if she let go.
Something about it felt different—personal. She couldn’t explain it, but a deep, instinctual part of her knew: This is meant for me. Only me.
She crossed the room to her vanity, the long train of her robe trailing softly behind her. Sitting down, she set the envelope in front of her and stared at it, her heart pounding like a drum.
“Get a grip,” she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. But the words felt hollow against the rising tide of fear and anticipation.
With trembling fingers, Celestina slid a nail under the seal and carefully tore it open. The sound of ripping paper seemed deafening, as though the universe itself held its breath.
Inside was a single sheet of paper, folded neatly. She pulled it out and unfolded it slowly, her pulse racing so fast she could feel it in her ears.
As her eyes scanned the words written in neat, deliberate handwriting, her breath caught in her throat.
Her vision blurred momentarily, and she gripped the edges of the paper tighter, her knuckles whitening.
No. This can’t be real. It’s impossible.
Her heart pounded harder as she read the lines again, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing:
“Celestina…”
I never wanted to leave you, but I had no choice. I’m alive. I need you to know that. And I need you to understand… everything will be revealed soon. Be ready.
— Dimitri”
To be continued…
