Chapter 97 Chapter 97
Chapter 97
The morning was already busy when Celine stepped out of the house.
She waved at Ariana, who stood by the doorway with her arms folded, watching her like she always did.
“Don’t rush your breakfast next time,” Ariana called out.
Celine smiled. “I won’t. I promise.”
She turned, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, and almost walked straight into two men standing beside a black SUV parked just in front of the gate.
She stopped short.
The men were dressed in dark suits, clean and serious-looking. One of them gave her a polite nod.
“Good morning, Miss Celine.”
Her brows furrowed. For a second, she didn’t understand. Then it clicked.
Ethan.
Oh.
She had almost forgotten.
The guard gestured gently. “Mr Castellan instructed us to take you to the office.”
She hesitated, instinctively clutching her bag strap. “Oh… right. Yes.”
Another guard stepped forward. “May I take your bag, ma’am?”
She shook her head quickly. “No, it’s okay. I can hold it.”
He didn’t argue. Just opened the car door for her.
Celine slid into the back seat, smoothing her skirt over her knees. The interior smelled clean and faintly of leather. The door closed softly, and the car moved almost immediately.
As they drove, she stared out the window, watching the city wake up. Cars passed. People hurried along sidewalks. Everything felt normal, yet not.
She thought about Ethan.
About how serious he had sounded when he told her about the driver. About the way he’d avoided her eyes while saying it was “company protocol.”
She smiled to herself.
The drive was smooth. No unnecessary stops. No talking. Just quiet professionalism.
When they pulled up at Castellan Enterprise, one of the guards stepped out first, opening the door for her.
“Have a good day, Miss Celine.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
She walked in, greeting familiar faces, returning smiles, but something felt off almost immediately.
Ethan wasn’t there.
His office door was closed. Lights off.
She checked the time.
Late for him.
That was unusual.
She told herself not to think too much about it and headed to her desk. Work waited, as it always did.
Still, every few minutes, her eyes drifted toward his Desk.
\---
Ethan was not at the office because he had been dragged back to a place he no longer called home.
The Castellan villa stood tall and unchanged, but to him, it felt like a cage.
The convoy had arrived without warning. Security men he recognized, men who once greeted him casually, now stood stiff as they escorted him inside.
“You don’t have to do this, Dad,” Ethan snapped as they walked through the doors. “This isn’t even the first time. I’m tired of all this drama. I’m doing fine over there.”
Richard Castellan didn’t slow his pace. “You don’t get to decide that alone.”
Ethan stopped walking. “I’m not a child anymore.”
Richard turned, his face hard. “And yet you keep acting like one.”
The words hit harder than expected.
They moved into the sitting room. The guards stepped back, giving them space, though their presence lingered.
Richard took a seat. “Sit.”
Ethan remained standing. “Say what you want to say.”
Richard exhaled slowly. “Are you seeing someone new, Ethan?”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “That has nothing to do with you. It’s my personal life, and I don’t want to talk about it.”
Richard studied him. “You think I don’t notice changes?”
Ethan laughed without humor. “You notice what benefits you.”
Richard’s voice sharpened. “Have you forgotten the understanding between us and the Monroes? The deal between you and Amelia?”
Ethan’s eyes darkened. “I’m not marrying Amelia.”
Richard stood. “You don’t get to make that decision alone either.”
“Yes, I do,” Ethan said firmly. “And it’s none of your business if I’m seeing someone or not.”
Richard stepped closer. “You knew what was expected of you. You don’t just walk away and replace her like she meant nothing.”
Ethan’s voice rose. “I walked away because I was suffocating.”
Silence followed.
Ethan didn’t wait for permission.
He turned sharply and walked out, his footsteps loud against the polished floor, each step full of anger he didn’t bother to hide.
The doors swung open as he passed through them, the force making a few of the guards straighten where they stood.
No one spoke.
They all felt it.
The way his shoulders were stiff. The way his jaw was set so hard it looked like it might crack. His hands were clenched at his sides, knuckles pale, like he was holding himself back from saying something he couldn’t take back.
One guard shifted uneasily, his fingers tightening around his radio. Another took a step forward, then stopped himself. They exchanged quick looks, silent questions passing between them.
Should we follow?
No one did.
They had seen Ethan angry before, but this was different. This wasn’t loud. This wasn’t careless. This was controlled, and that scared them more.
They watched as he left, anger written all over him.
\---
By the time Ethan arrived at Castellan Enterprise, his chest was still tight with frustration.
He walked in quickly, ignoring greetings, ignoring stares.
He didn’t stop until he saw her.
Celine stood by her desk, reviewing documents, lips moving slightly as she read.
He didn’t think.
He didn’t plan.
He just moved.
He reached her in seconds, his hand closing around her arm, pulling her toward him. Before she could speak, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
Tight.
Like he was afraid she might disappear.
Celine froze.
Her papers slipped from her hand, falling to the floor, forgotten.
Her heart pounded.
“Mr Castellan ” she started, but her voice failed.
He didn’t answer.
He didn’t move.
He just held her.
Ethan didn’t care.
His face was buried in her hair. Her scent grounded him, calming something restless inside him.
Celine’s hands hovered in the air, unsure what to do.
Slowly, carefully, she placed one hand against his chest.
His heartbeat was fast.
“Ethan…” she whispered, barely audible.
He tightened his hold just a little more.
And for a moment, everything else disappeared.