Chapter 72 Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Closing hours settled quietly over Castellan Enterprise.
Most of the staff had already left. The long hallways that were usually busy now held only soft footsteps and distant voices fading away. Celine checked the time on her phone, then turned back to her desk.
Ethan Castellan hadn’t been around all day.
She noticed it more than she expected to.
She told herself it was normal. After everything that had happened—the fire, the hospital, the recovery—it made sense that he might still be resting. Or busy with private matters. He was Ethan Castellan after all. His absence wasn’t something that needed explanation.
Still, she had caught herself glancing at the door more than once.
She packed her things carefully, arranging her notebook, pen, and tablet into her bag. She stood up, straightened her blazer, and took one last look around the office. The space felt different now. Not just because of the repairs, but because she was different too.
She reached for the door handle.
A soft knock sounded.
She froze for half a second.
That knock didn’t sound like Ariana’s. Or any of the staff. It was gentle. Almost unsure.
“Come in,” she said.
The door opened.
And there he was.
Ethan Castellan.
For a moment, Celine thought her mind was playing tricks on her.
He stood by the door, tall and calm, dressed simply in a navy blue shirt and ash joggers. No suit. No tie. Just him. Clean. Real. Human. His hair was slightly unstyled, like he hadn’t put much effort into fixing it.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them spoke immediately.
Ethan hadn’t planned what to say. He had rehearsed words in his head on the drive over, but the moment he saw her standing there—alive, steady, and looking stronger than before—everything vanished.
Celine was the first to react.
She bowed her head slightly, respectful as always.
“Good evening, Mr Castellan,” she said.
Her voice was calm. Polite. Controlled.
It took him a second to respond.
“Good evening,” he said finally.
It sounded strange to his own ears. This was the first time he had ever greeted her like that. Not as an employer signing papers. Not as a man giving instructions. Just… good evening.
Silence followed.
Celine shifted her bag on her shoulder, unsure if she should leave or stay.
“Thank you for coming,” she said quietly.
He nodded once.
“I wanted to see you,” he admitted.
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
She looked up at him again.
“I mean,” he added quickly, “I wanted to check on you.”
She smiled softly, not teasing, not smug. Just warm.
“I’m okay now,” she said. “Really.”
She hesitated, then added, “Thank you for everything, Mr Castellan.”
He frowned slightly. “Everything?”
She lowered her gaze again.
“If not for you,” she said slowly, choosing her words with care, “I wouldn’t be standing here. I don’t even know how to thank you for that.”
Her voice wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t emotional. That made it hit harder.
Ethan didn’t answer immediately.
He simply smiled.
Not the polite kind. Not the business kind. A real one.
“It’s okay,” he said. “You don’t owe me anything.”
She nodded.
He gestured lightly around the office. “You can manage this space for now. The upper floor renovation will take some more time.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will.”
Another pause.
Ethan wanted to say more.
He wanted to offer to drive her home. To ask if she was eating well. Sleeping well. If she still had nightmares. If she thought about the fire too.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he stepped aside to let her pass.
Celine walked out of the office slowly, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Ethan followed behind her, keeping a respectful distance.
They didn’t walk together.
They walked side by side, but apart.
Two staff members turning the corner froze when they saw them.
They exchanged looks.
As soon as Celine and Ethan disappeared down the hallway, whispers followed.
“Did you see that?”
“That’s Mr Castellan, right?”
“Yes. And that’s the girl from the fire.”
“They left the office together.”
“I heard he personally took care of her hospital bills.”
“Maybe she finally got his attention.”
“Or maybe there’s more.”
The rumors traveled faster than truth ever did.
Ethan didn’t hear any of it.
Celine didn’t either.
But something had already started.
\---
Later that evening, Ethan arrived at Doctor Lui’s clinic.
The familiar space greeted him. The clean scent. The quiet. The comfort he had grown used to over time.
Doctor Lui stood up as Ethan entered.
“It’s good to see you, Ethan,” the doctor said warmly. “Your mother informed me about the accident.”
Ethan nodded. “Yes, Doctor. I just had to stop by.”
Doctor Lui studied him closely. “You look better.”
“I feel better,” Ethan replied honestly.
They sat.
“And the woman?” Doctor Lui asked. “The one involved in the fire?”
Ethan didn’t pretend not to know who he meant.
“Yes,” he said. “She works at Castellan Enterprise.”
Doctor Lui leaned back slightly. “The same girl you’ve mentioned during our previous sessions?”
Ethan paused.
“Yes.”
Doctor Lui smiled knowingly. “I thought so.”
Ethan crossed his arms. “It’s nothing like that.”
“Isn’t it?” the doctor asked calmly.
“I couldn’t let anyone lose their life while working under my name,” Ethan said. “That’s all.”
Doctor Lui shook his head lightly. “You’ve changed, Ethan. Since she entered your life, you’ve been different.”
Ethan frowned. “Different how?”
“You laugh more. You talk more. You show concern,” Doctor Lui said. “You’re lighter.”
Ethan exhaled slowly. “I reduced my pills. I’m trying to deal with my past instead of running from it. That’s why I’m better.”
Doctor Lui nodded. “That’s true. And I’m proud of you for that.”
He paused, then added, “But I’ve always known you needed love to heal.”
Ethan stiffened.
“I’m not in love, Doctor,” he said quickly.
Doctor Lui smiled gently. “That’s what you all say.”
Ethan stood up.
“I should go,” he said. “Thank you for seeing me.”
Doctor Lui also stood. “Think about what we discussed.”
Ethan nodded, waved goodnight, and walked out.
As he stepped into the night, his phone buzzed.
He didn’t check it.
His mind was already full.
Full of a woman who had walked out of his office earlier that day.
And a feeling he refused to name.