64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
I wasn’t even surprised to hear that-of course, no one expected me there. So much for reuniting the family.
He wrinkled his nose. “Damn, I hope they got my good side.”
“I just came from the back garden bar,” she said, barely able to contain herself. “And people are not happy.”
She shot Ethan a warning glare before walking ahead of him a few paces down the hall. He didn’t even spare me a glance as he went after her.
I shook my head, my amusement suddenly fading. Of course this wasn’t Kieran’s taste,
and now Celeste was even ruining his reputation with her gaudy showcase.
Lucian and I were alone again.
“I’m leaving,” I added. “You’re both welcome to stay, but I’m done.”
“There you are,” a deep voice interrupted.
“Where the hell have you been?” he said to Maya. “I’ve been looking for you all night.”
And I smiled. Not from joy-but from victory.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion.
Not healed, no. But masked. Smoothed. Like powder over a bruise.
Maya’s grin faded instantly. “Ethan-”
“Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm.
I snickered as she laughed, hopping excitedly. “I am so sorry to interrupt, but I had to tell you before I exploded.”
“I’m sorry,” I said again, placing my hand gently on his arm. “And about Sera…” Oh, this one would be hard. “This wasn’t about hurting anyone. It was about healing. I guess I just… went about it the wrong way.”
<
64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
I caught the beginning of another argument as the door closed behind them.
“Come on, Sera,” Maya said, nudging me, noting my change in demeanor. “You won
tonight. They saw what she was really like. You didn’t even have to say a word.”
“You just disappeared. I’ve been talking to people alone-everyone asking about my
newfound mate. You didn’t even answer your phone-”
They communicated and they faced issues together.
Ethan exhaled in a huff. “I told you that Celeste prepared a separate seating arrangement for her family. Do you realize how it looks that you weren’t there?”
For the first time all evening, I wasn’t playing a role. I wasn’t the reluctant guest, or the discarded wife, or the pawn in a game I never agreed to.
I just felt…free.
She leaned closer, giddy. “About her-fucking Celeste. A bunch of the guests are complaining. They’re saying the arrangements were all about flaunting wealth. Like- someone actually said they didn’t fly out here to admire fucking centerpieces. They wanted a real celebration, not a royal display.”
I smacked his shoulder lightly, laughing. “Lucian!”
Ethan.
If he didn’t like his outfit or my decorations, then he should have said something. Wasn’t that what couples did?
Lucian raised an eyebrow, but Maya grinned, unfazed.
Lucian didn’t try to comfort me with platitudes. He didn’t ask if I was okay or tell me to pull myself together.
He just stood there, patient and unwavering, offering comfort in his silence as muffled music and chatter floated through the closed doors.
Maya came bounding down the hallway, breathless and glowing, champagne glass in hand. “Holy shit!” She turned to Lucian. “First of all, Lucian, that was inspired! Did you see Celeste’s face?!”
<
64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
“I should’ve known she’d do something like that,” I muttered after a while, dabbing at my cheeks. “I walked into that room like a lamb to the fucking slaughter.”
Kieran had never spoken to me like that before, and the sting was worse because I never
expected it.
Only when we reached the hallway outside the ballroom did the pressure of Lucian’s
hands on me dissipate.
“I haven’t been sleeping,” I said softly. “I’ve barely been eating. I’ve been so obsessed with making sure everything comes out perfect, and I guess I got a little carried away.”
I moved closer, suppressing a smirk when I saw a cameraman take a picture out of the
corner of my eye.
I sagged against the cool wall, the pounding in my ears slowly quieting. Lucian stood beside me, arms crossed, face unreadable as he glanced at me sideways.
As we walked into the cool night air, I realized something strange: I didn’t feel victorious or vindicated. I didn’t feel angry anymore either.
Lucian gave her a slight nod. “Safely. I promise.”
I was the victim in all this. I didn’t deserve his ire.
He looked at me like I was the problem. Like I’d committed some kind of grave sin for wanting to have a perfect night to celebrate our love.
‘You humiliated yourself tonight.’
He strode toward us, adjusting the cuffs of his designer jacket, looking annoyed, as if the very air around him wasn’t meeting his standards.
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not leaving my friends.”
He finally looked at me, brows raised.
“I’m just trying, Kieran. That’s all I’ve ever wanted-to make things right.”
Ethan clenched his teeth. “Let’s. Go,” he said quietly.
We stood together in silence, side by side, and when someone called our names from
64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
across the ballroom, he reached for my hand without thinking,
“But-”
She arched a brow. “I’ve been with Sera and Lucian. Where have you been?”
I blinked rapidly, letting my expression twist into wounded gratitude. “I snapped at you,
too, and I’m sorry.”
“It was my immense pleasure.” He gave a mock bow, and a ghost of a smile tugged at my
lips.
SERAPHINA’S POV
I laughed breathlessly, taking the handkerchief. “I’m sure her media crew would have loved that.”
“I didn’t know the full details about the incident with the Omega, I swear. The maids must’ve misunderstood my desire for perfection and thought I wanted things stricter than I actually did. It’s not what I intended.”
Lucian’s gaze flicked to me, something unreadable crossing his face.
My special night was still unfolding, and here I was, left out in the cold.
His prolonged silence gave me space to add more.
“But she didn’t win,” Lucian said. “If she were truly victorious, she wouldn’t need to humiliate you to prove it, and you didn’t give her what she wanted.”
“You’re a big boy,” she snapped back. “I’m pretty sure you attended tons of parties before we met, so-”
And yet…
“And get this,” Maya added, eyes gleaming. “Some are even wondering if Kieran was behind all this. Like, his taste is being questioned. People think he’s gone soft. Or worse-
vain.”
Kieran ran a hand down his face, sighing, and that small flicker of emotion-that weariness-was all I needed.
64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
He didn’t look at me as I approached, didn’t acknowledge me at all.
Maya hesitated, her frustration evident, but I squeezed her hand and smiled. “You’ve done more than enough for me tonight. Go.”
CELESTE’S POV
His hand around mine was warm, and instinctively, I leaned into him. “Do you wanna get
out of here?”
“I just…I’ve been trying so hard.” My voice cracked, perfectly timed. “This is the first big thing I’ve put together since I came back. I wanted it to be perfect. For us.”
I stood there for a long moment, stunned, the cold air licking at my bare shoulders. The applause from inside had faded, replaced by a low hum of music and chatter.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, voice barely audible beneath the music.
“I told you, I was with my friends,” she snapped. “Gods, Ethan, it’s a party, not an exhibit. I thought Celeste was the only one interested in flaunting her mate tonight.”
“I’m tired, Maya.” I sighed. “I didn’t come here to win. I came here because I was guilted into it. I’ve fulfilled my role. That’s enough.”
“I can’t believe you did that.” I shook my head. “You’re going to be known in all the media outlets as The Clumsy Alpha.”
I’d fix it. I wouldn’t let the damage Sera had done to him ruin my happiness. I was done letting her win.
Kieran had spent the last ten years married to a snake he didn’t love; I shouldn’t blame him if he didn’t know how to communicate.
Lucian chuckled. “Sounds like the court of public opinion is shifting.”
He didn’t reply at first, just reached into his coat and handed me a folded handkerchief. “Hey, I did promise to keep you from throwing a punch, and it looked like it was coming.”
He didn’t answer. But he didn’t walk away either.
My lips twitched despite myself.
64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
I took a deep breath, forcing the flash of anger and irritation to subside.
But I slapped on a smile and headed to him, slipping into character. I could still salvage tonight. All was not lost.
“Yeah,” I exhaled. “Thanks to you.”
“You don’t owe them a performance. Let them choke on their illusions.”
I stepped closer, brushing my fingers against the fabric of his sleeve. “You’re right, baby. I
went too far.”
I thought he’d stand beside me tonight, like he always used to-like he promised to.
I smiled, leaning in to kiss his cheek. For a moment, it felt like the rift between us had been patched over.
So I gathered my breath once more, and then opened the terrace door and stepped inside.
I found Kieran near the bar, his hand wrapped around a tumbler of whiskey.
I let out a shaky breath, the burn behind my eyes spilling over.
He caught my hand and interlaced our fingers. “It was worth it,” he said, his eyes softening.
He nodded, the tension in his shoulders softening. “I’m sorry, too. And I appreciate what you tried to do tonight.”
I blinked. “About what?”
How dare he insinuate that I don’t care about him?
Kieran looked at me then, and there it was-guilt lingering in the corners of his eyes. He remembered that I wasn’t cruel-I was sweet, lovely Celeste.
I took it without hesitation.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I threw him a lavish party filled with the elite of the elite,
and he chose to sulk at the bar?
Kieran’s words echoed in my mind even after he walked away, slamming the terrace door behind him.
64 Chapter 64 POWDER OVER A BRUISE
stepped between them before the brewing argument could spiral. “Maya,” I said gently, placing a hand on her arm. “It’s okay, stay with him. I’ll head out.”
Maya shook her head. “Didn’t I say we should leave earlier? I’m with you, babe-”
“Lucian will take me home,”-I turned to him-“right?”
Kieran looked away, jaw tense.
“And what about me?” he snapped.
“I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” he murmured, his voice low.
“Sera!”
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