[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603134E5B19-41":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},41,23,"Chapter 23: A Poisoned Dagger to the Heart","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante had something to get off his chest with Celine. He’d been waiting for her by her apartment building, but she’d ghosted him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He tried calling, only to find his number blocked. The automated voice on the other end sent a sharp pang through his eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">No!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He had to find her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even if she hated him, he couldn’t let her walk away. She could resent him, make him suffer all she wanted, but she wasn’t allowed to leave. She was his. Dante Williams’s person. Always had been, always would be.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Steeling himself, he finally stood, a renewed determination in his gaze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But as he headed for the complex gate, he heard Celine’s sobs and bitter laughter drifting from the small park.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He followed the sound. Less than sixty-five feet away, he caught her tearful, heartbroken words.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">“Dante Williams, I don’t love you anymore. I’ll never love anyone again…”\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The words hit him like a poisoned dagger, piercing his heart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Swift and merciless, it buried itself deep before he could even bleed. Every beat of his heart sent a wave of agony through his body, making it hard to stand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I’m sorry.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I’m so sorry, Celine. I messed up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante watched Celine, alone and hurting in the cold, dark night. His hand trembled as he gripped his phone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He wanted to apologize, to run to her, to hold her, to make amends for all the pain he’d caused.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But seeing her in such agony, he felt utterly unworthy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They were like two lone lights in the dark, briefly crossing paths before inevitably drifting apart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d thought they were still close, that there was still a chance to fix things.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But two lines that have already crossed will never meet again in this lifetime.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So he stood frozen, unable to take a single step forward.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d already forfeited the right to hold her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His eyes burned. He went to rub them, but as he lowered his head, he saw droplets falling onto the ground—tears of his regret.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The distant streetlight cast their long shadows, one hunched, one standing, one falling behind the other.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The night deepened, the air growing colder. Finally, the longer shadow turned and retreated, step by step, into the darkness, choosing not to intrude.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After days of soul-searching, Celine finally made up her mind and headed to the Williams family estate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was the place she'd called home for three years. As the maid led her inside, she scanned the familiar furnishings.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Nothing had changed. It was exactly as she’d left it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">“Miss Evans, the Master is in his study. You can go in yourself.”\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The maid showed her to the second floor before turning back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine let out a wry smile. Not everything was the same, after all. At least the form of address had changed, hadn't it?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had no ties to this place anymore. She was free.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Composing herself, Celine walked to the study door and knocked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">“Grandfather, it’s Celine Evans. I’m sorry to bother you.”\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">“Come in.”\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hearing the voice, Celine pushed the door open and stepped inside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante’s grandfather was brewing coffee. The rich aroma of his favorite dark roast filled the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing Celine, the old man placed a coffee cup by his elbow, filled it halfway, and gestured for her to sit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">“You’re here. You called this morning saying you had something to discuss. What is it?”\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante’s grandfather was surprised. This young woman had once defended his good-for-nothing grandson fiercely. After the divorce, though, she’d never set foot here again.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d heard bits and pieces of what happened later and had wisely stayed out of it, letting her live her life. Dante simply hadn’t been worth her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d even gone to see her after her recent car accident, though she’d been unconscious then.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Such a foolish girl, protecting that waste of space so fiercely even after they were no longer married.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d never expected her to show up now, claiming to have important news.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine looked at the man, easily in his seventies, carefully considering how to break the news without shattering him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She worried the shock might be too much for the old man. This was something she should have told Dante herself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But given his situation with Isabella…\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine feared he’d just dismiss her as a drama queen before she could even get to the point.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">“Grandfather, I… I’ve discovered something. But you need to stay calm. Please, listen to everything I have to say, slowly, and don’t get angry. We’re going to need your help to handle what comes next.”\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sensing the gravity and concern in her tone, Dante’s grandfather grew solemn. This was clearly important.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">“Alright,” he replied in a low voice, gesturing towards the sofa. He resumed his meticulous coffee brewing, pouring hot water as he spoke. “Good. I’ll listen while I make the coffee. Speak slowly, don’t rush. But don’t be afraid either. At my age, there’s little I haven’t seen.”\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine picked up the coffee cup before her and downed it in one go. She took a few deep breaths before starting slowly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She recounted everything, from Isabella’s departure abroad to Archer Reynolds’s return, and the connection between the Lopez family and the car accident.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante’s grandfather listened quietly. When he heard about his son and daughter-in-law’s fatal crash, his face remained impassive, but the kettle in his hand had long since boiled over, unnoticed.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272932691]