Chapter 73
Celestina stood before the locked door, the note from earlier still tucked into her pocket. Her heart pounded in her chest as she knelt down, studying the lock. Kael had left the villa earlier, saying he had errands to run. She knew this was her only chance.
She glanced down the hallway, ensuring she was alone, then pulled a hairpin from her bun. Her hands trembled as she inserted it into the lock, twisting and turning with careful precision.
“Come on,” she whispered under her breath, her pulse racing.
After several tense moments, the lock clicked. Relief flooded her, but it was quickly replaced by dread as she pushed the door open.
The room was dark, lit only by the faint light filtering through the slats of the blinds. She stepped inside and froze.
On the far wall was a large corkboard covered with photos, notes, and strings connecting various pieces of information. Her stomach twisted as she approached it.
There were pictures of her father, President Alvada, speaking at rallies, standing with dignitaries, even entering the palace. Dimitri’s face appeared multiple times, some photos showing him in candid moments she didn’t recognize. And then there were the images of her wedding—Kael and Celestina walking down the aisle, the reception hall moments before the bomb went off.
Her eyes widened as she read one note pinned near a photo of her father: “Final phase: eliminate the Alvada legacy.”
“What is this?” she whispered, her voice shaking.
Another note caught her attention: “Dimitri – survival unconfirmed. Containment plan in place.”
Her hand flew to her mouth, her breathing shallow. Kael had been lying all along. He knew Dimitri might still be alive. Worse, he seemed to have been part of the bombing that had nearly destroyed her wedding.
She took a shaky step back, her mind spinning. This wasn’t just a betrayal—it was a calculated, dangerous conspiracy.
As she heard the faint sound of footsteps outside the villa, panic set in. Kael was back.
Celestina quickly scanned the room, ensuring she hadn’t left anything out of place. She closed the door as quietly as she could, locking it again before slipping down the hall. Her hands shook as she adjusted her hair and wiped her clammy palms on her dress.
When Kael entered, his sharp eyes landed on her immediately.
“There you are,” he said with a warm smile. “I was looking for you.”
“I was just… reading in the living room,” Celestina lied, keeping her voice steady.
Kael stepped closer, his expression soft but unreadable. “You seem tense. Is everything alright?”
“Of course,” she replied quickly, though she could feel her heart racing. “Just a little tired from the sun earlier.”
He studied her for a moment before nodding. “Good. I’ve asked the chef to prepare something special for dinner tonight. You’ll love it.”
Celestina forced a smile. “That sounds wonderful.”
But as she followed him to the dining room, she couldn’t stop her hands from trembling.
Dinner was a quiet, tense affair. Kael was his usual charming self, speaking about plans for their future and how the island was the perfect retreat.
“You’ve been so stressed lately,” he said, pouring her another glass of wine. “I hope this trip is helping.”
“It is,” she said, her voice tight. She avoided his gaze, focusing instead on cutting her food into small pieces she had no intention of eating.
Kael tilted his head, his expression soft but probing. “Are you sure? You still seem distracted.”
She set her fork down and forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’m just tired, Kael. That’s all.”
His smile widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then let me take care of you. You don’t need to worry about anything anymore.”
Her stomach churned.
That night, after Kael kissed her goodnight and drifted to sleep, Celestina slipped out of bed and went to find her phone. She needed to call her father. She had to warn him.
But her phone wasn’t where she’d left it. She searched the drawers, her bag, and even the living room, but it was gone.
Panic set in, and she returned to the bedroom, her breaths shallow. “Kael,” she whispered, shaking his shoulder.
He stirred, blinking sleepily. “What is it?”
“My phone,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm. “I can’t find it.”
Kael sat up, rubbing his face. “Oh, don’t worry about that,” he said soothingly. “I had it moved earlier. Just a precaution. You’ve been so tired lately, I thought it might help if you weren’t distracted.”
“What?” she asked, her voice rising.
“It’s nothing,” Kael said, his tone still gentle. “You’ll have it back soon. For now, just focus on resting. Everything’s under control.”
Her blood ran cold at his words, but she nodded, forcing a small smile. “Alright. Thank you.”
Kael pulled her close, brushing a kiss against her forehead. “Trust me, Celestina. Always.”
As Kael fell back asleep, Celestina lay awake, her mind racing. Her unease grew as she stared at the ceiling, wondering just how far his control extended.
Her eyes wandered the room, searching for anything out of place. That’s when she noticed it—a small, barely visible camera tucked into the corner of the ceiling.
Her heart sank.
The camera was angled directly at the bed.
