Chapter 11
Seeing Celeste in his robe, Lysander’s ears flushed slightly pink, though he tried to sound casual.
“Hey, Ophelia?”
Celeste took his hand, swinging it gently.
“It’s late. Aren’t you done yet, Lysander? Let’s have a break.”
Lysander smiled tenderly and shook his head. “Nothing important. You’re right–we should sleep.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the bedroom.
In the cozy warmth of the bed, they held each other close. Eyes shut, yet neither of them slept.
As Celeste lay in Lysander’s embrace, her thoughts drifted inward:
‘Navier, you were right. He hasn’t asked about you once. He doesn’t deserve loyalty nor loving. If you hadn’t warned me, I might have foolishly fallen for his fake affection.‘
Despite holding the reborn Opheliamade him ecstatic, Lysander felt strangely hollow.
No matter how hard he tried to fall asleep, Navier’s face kept flashing through his mind.
The next morning, Lysander had luxury boutiques deliver countless garments tailored to Ophelia’s size for Celeste to choose from.
An array of gowns and jewelry arrived with price tags that would once have left Celeste breathless.
But Navier had trained her well.
She flipped through the selections casually, choosing only a few pieces that fit Ophelia’s taste and
style.
“This is more than enough, Lysander. You really don’t have to spoil me like this.”
“Money’s the least of my concerns,” Lysander smiled. “This is barely a rounding error on my accounts. It’s sweet that you still worry about expenses like you did back then, but it’s been seven
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Chapter 11
years–I’m hardly that broke college kid anymore.”
Celeste hugged him, rising on tiptoes to smooth the crease between his brows, her face showing practiced concern and care.
“I know you’re loaded now,” Celeste said softly, “but I still worry about you working yourself so tired. I don’t need all this expensive stuff–just having you is enough.”
Warmth spread through Lysander’s chest, his lips curving upward involuntarily.
“Whatever makes you happy is all that matters, I don’t mind the work–actually, I love watching you enjoy the things I can give you. That’s what it’s all for.”
He slipped a VISA–CARD into her palm.
“Use this for anything you want.”
As the boutique representatives prepared to leave, Lysander casually told Celeste, “Let me remind them of setting up regular deliveries for you.”
Then he walked toward the group while Celeste trailed silently behind him.
–“Continue sending new collections based on her preferences,And-” He hesitated for half a second.
Prepare another selection that fits Navier’s preferences. Have them delivered to her new residence
at Sera Manor instead.”
The representatives nodded in unison.
Lysander was planning these items–along with Sera Manor itself–as compensation for Navier once he managed to contact her.
Listening his words, Celeste felt a surge of bitter irony.
‘How pathetic! His precious first love has finally returned, yet he can’t even give her his undivided
heart anymore.
While playing the devoted lover to his first love, he still clings to the feelings he developed for Navier over the years.
What a joke. He’s betrayed them both–Ophelia and Navier.‘
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The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights
Chapter 11
Before Lysander could turn around, Celeste had already slipped away toward home.
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