Chapter 3

It was two or three in the morning when I got back from the bar.

Looking up, I saw Celeste crouching by my front door.

She always did this when she messed up.

"Honey, I couldn't find you at the bar, and your phone was off."

"How much did you drink? You look like you can barely stand."

"Come on, let's get you inside and cleaned up."

Celeste greeted me with a look of relief, then acted as if nothing had happened, showering me with concern.

I pushed her away. "Get lost! Don't touch me!"

Celeste froze, her eyes welling up with hurt.

"Sweetheart, it's just the wedding company messing with us," Celeste insisted. "The video, it's a deepfake. I've already hired a lawyer to sue them. I'm sure I can find proof..."

"I took the video."

I stared at her coldly. "You were so desperate to kiss before you even got inside, so engrossed, it's no surprise you didn't notice me nearby."

Celeste's face went white, and she stood there, rigid and helpless.

My stomach was churning with alcohol, and the slightest irritation sent waves of nausea through me.

I pushed Celeste aside, who was blocking my way, and stumbled into the bathroom, clinging to the toilet, retching until tears streamed involuntarily from my eyes.

Celeste followed me, standing silently.

She handed me tissues, searched for a hangover cure, and cooked some noodles.

She took care of me without a word.

But every single second, my mind replayed the scene of her and her ex, impatiently kissing before entering the hotel room.

Now, seeing her meticulous care, it felt jarring and utterly ridiculous.

"Celeste, I don't want to see you anymore. Get out of my house, now."

Suddenly, the sound of a bowl shattering echoed from the kitchen.

She didn't speak for a long moment.

A few moments later, she placed the cooked noodles and hangover medicine in front of me, then quietly cleaned up the broken shards herself.

"Leo, you need to calm down. I'll come back in a few days so we can talk properly."

I leaned back on the couch, my hand weakly covering my eyes.

"Get out."