Olivia suddenly let out a slow breath, breaking the tension that had been simmering in the room.
“Princess,” Olivia began, her voice steady yet sharp, “were you the one who called Lucian last night?”
Her question caught both Rose and Celestia off guard. Rose’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but her demeanor quickly shifted to something more guarded hostile, even. Celestia, however, remained composed, though a flicker of curiosity passed across her face.
Lucian, who had been silently trying to avoid the brewing storm, let out a heavy sigh and buried his face in his hand. Here we go again, he thought.
“Pardon?” Celestia said, feigning innocence, though she had a pretty good idea of what Olivia was getting at.
Olivia’s sharp gaze didn’t waver. “I asked,” she repeated, her tone unwavering, “if you were the one who called Lucian last evening the one whose number is saved as My Wifey on his phone.”
Lucian let out another deep sigh, his hand rubbing his temples as if trying to ease the mounting pressure. He felt the weight of both Rose and Olivia’s gazes bearing down on him.
Rose’s hostility flared visibly at Olivia’s words. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her hands curled into fists against the armrest. This woman… she came here to steal Lucian, Rose thought bitterly, her mind replaying the words My Wifey like a taunt.
Celestia, in contrast, tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. Then, as if making a deliberate decision, a small, confident smile spread across her lips. “Yes,” she said casually, meeting Olivia’s eyes without hesitation. “That was me.”
Lucian froze.
Celestia, internally, decided to drop the pretense. Why bother hiding? she thought. It’s time to face my mother-in-law head-on.
Olivia raised an eyebrow at the bold confirmation and shifted her attention to Lucian, who flinched slightly under her gaze. “Is she your girlfriend, Lucian?” Olivia asked, her tone almost gentle, but the weight behind the question was unmistakable.
Lucian hesitated, his fingers rubbing his temple harder as he gathered his thoughts. “There’s… nothing official between us,” he said finally, trying to sound as diplomatic as possible. He sighed again. “Not yet, at least.”
Celestia’s jaw tightened for a split second, but she quickly masked her disappointment. She bit her lip briefly, her eyes flicking to Lucian as if hoping for more.
Rose, however, was seething. Her grip on the armrest tightened further, her nails digging into the fabric. So that’s why she’s here, Rose thought furiously. This woman came to take Lucian away from me.
Olivia exhaled softly, her gaze softening as she looked at Lucian. She understood his hesitation but couldn’t help feeling a pang of disappointment. She had hoped truly hoped that Lucian was moving on from his complicated entanglement with Avey. She thought a clean, stable relationship might help him heal.
Still, Olivia was practical. Her thoughts turned to Celestia her background, her personality. Celestia’s confidence and care were hard to ignore, and Olivia knew she could be a solid partner for Lucian. But it wasn’t that simple.
Olivia rested a hand lightly on her forehead, as if weighing her words. “Then why,” she asked, her voice calm but pointed, “is her number saved as My Wifey on your phone?”
Her question hung in the air, the tension in the room rising once again.
Lucian stayed silent, unsure of how to respond. Celestia, too, didn’t say a word, her expression calm yet unreadable.
“Are you forcing him?” Olivia suddenly asked, crossing her arms. Her demeanor shifted in an instant, her aura becoming sharp and commanding. Her narrowed eyes bore into Celestia’s, exuding the authority of a woman who had single-handedly managed one of the four great households a business icon admired by women across the realm.
Celestia clicked her tongue, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I know what’s best for him,” she said confidently, meeting Olivia’s gaze without flinching. “So I did what I thought was right.”
“Who are you to decide that?” Olivia shot back, her voice cold and steady. “It’s one thing if you like him, but forcing yourself on my son? I won’t allow it. He’s not in the best emotional health right now he’s sensitive. If you care for him at all, you’d stop. I won’t let anyone hurt him, especially when he’s already struggling.”
Celestia’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her voice remained firm. “And what do you think I’ve been doing? Watching idly while he falls apart? I know how he’s feeling. He’s pushing everyone away, rejecting every attempt to help him. Should I just let him drown in his darkness? If you truly cared, Olivia, where have you been during all of this? You’ve been running away from the problem.”
Olivia’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing. Celestia took a step forward, her voice sharper now.
“Don’t act like you’ve been there for him. I know exactly what you and your family have done to him. Should I remind you of the countless ways you’ve hurt him? I’m still respecting you because you’re his family, but don’t think for a second that gives you the right to stop me. Don’t come between me and him.”
Rose opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She watched the exchange, torn between frustration and disbelief.
Continue reading at empire
Olivia remained silent, her sharp gaze fixed on Celestia, but her composure was beginning to falter.
“I’ve tried being gentle,” Celestia continued, her voice steady but laced with emotion. “I’ve tried showing him love and kindness, but he rejected it all. If being forceful is the only way to bring the man I love out of his darkness, then call me forceful.”
Her words hung heavy in the air. “At least I won’t sit back and watch him destroy himself, thinking he’s unworthy of love. If I can pull him back from the edge, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Lucian glanced at Celestia, her words ringing in his ears. Her voice was firm, her gaze unwavering. She stood there, bold and unyielding, her every word a declaration of her determination.
“At least I’m not the one who’s hurt him,” Celestia added, her voice cutting like a blade. “And I’m not the one who’s made him feel like he doesn’t matter.” Her eyes locked onto both Olivia and Rose, daring either of them to respond.
Lucian swallowed hard, unsure of how to process what he was witnessing. Celestia had just stood up to one of the most powerful women in the realm and she’d done it without hesitation, all for him.
Is she fighting for me? he wondered, his heart conflicted.
On one side was his mother, fighting to protect him in her own way. On the other was Celestia, someone who showed him care and devotion he hadn’t asked for but couldn’t ignore.
Should I stop them? Lucian considered, his mind racing.
But no if he intervened, it might look like he was taking sides, which would only make things worse. For now, he decided to remain silent, though his eyes couldn’t help but linger on Celestia’s face. There was something heroic in the way she stood, unshaken and strong, her confidence shining brighter than ever.
Lucian sighed inwardly. What am I supposed to do with all of this?