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Betrays Love 172

Betrays Love 172

172 Chapter 172 THE END 

172 Chapter 172 THE END 

CELESTE’S POV

The Lockwood manor had never felt so suffocating

Every chandelier shimmered with sterile perfection, every corner smelled faintly of lemon polish and wood, but underneath it all was 

the stench of humiliation

Three days had passed since the end of the LST. Three days since Kieran had looked at me as if I were something pitiful, an 

inconvenience. And then walked away

I’d told myself he just needed time. That after all the noise settled, he’d come crawling back like alwaysapologizing, rationalizing

making it up to me

That’s how it always went. Kieran might be stubborn and proud, but he was predictable

And he loved me

So when his name flashed on my phone this morning, shock and hope crashed through me, my heart leaping

Kieran!I said his name the way one breathes after drowninghalfrelief, halfdisbelief

Celeste.His voice was calm, too calm. Can we meet? There’s something I need to say in person.” 

I knew it. I knew he couldn’t stay away for long

Of course,I said softly, as if I hadn’t already bolted to the vanity, as if my heart wasn’t hammering loud enough to be heard through the 

line

When I hung up, relief and giddy anticipation bubbled up. I nearly laughed out loud in incredulity and ecstasy

Yes, yes, yes

My mother appeared at my door at that moment, coat in hand, ready to leave for the cemetery

Is something going on?” she asked curiously

I beamed at her. Kieran wants to see me!” 

Oh.Her expression shuttered, and I frowned. Aren’t you happy?” 

I am. It’s justShe shook her head. You promised to visit your father’s grave with me today. You haven’t been since the funeral.” 

I waved her off, already heading to my closet

I rifled through dressessilk, chiffon, lace. Tell Father I’ll come tomorrow,I murmured absently to my mother

Celeste, he-” 

I whipped my head back. What? It’s not like he’s going anywhere.” 

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Her eyes widened. Celeste!” 

I rolled my eyes, turning back to my closet

My mind spun with possibilities: the ring, Kieran kneeling before me, the headline. Celeste Lockwood and Alpha Kieran Blackthorne: The 

Union of Legends

Til visit soon,I said. I’ll even bring Kieran so he can be properly introduced as his soninlaw.I smirked over my shoulder. The right 

way, this time.” 

My mother didn’t say anything as she quietly left my room and shut the door

My hand shook as I swept blush across my cheeks. I tried to steady myself, layering on composure like war paint, focusing on each 

precise motion to contain my nerves

I slipped into a sheer red dress, sleek, bold, and almost scandalously tailored to every curve

The fabric caught the light in a way that made it seem poured over my skin, accentuating the warmth of my tan and the long, shapely 

lines of my legs

When I stood before the mirror, I saw the version of me Kieran could never resist. The woman he always came back toeven after ten 

years. The one who could undo him with something as simple as a smile

And as I left my room, I made a promise to myself: This time, I wouldn’t let him out of my grasp

The restaurant was empty when I arrived; not a soul in sight, except for the waiter who opened the door for me. Candlelight flickered 

over the velvet seats and gilded walls, and a soft piano played somewhere unseen

He’d booked the entire place

My lips curled. My chest swelled. This was it. This was fucking it

Kieran was already there, seated by the window. His posture was straight, his suit immaculate, his expression unreadable

For a fleeting second, I saw the same man who had once sworn he’d protect me against the world. The man who’d been mine before 

Sera sank her claws into him

Never again

I didn’t realize you could be so dramatic, Kie,I teased lightly, setting my clutch down as I slid into the seat opposite him. He’d already ordered wine, and I wrapped my fingers around the cool stem of my glass

Booking an entire restaurant? You could’ve just proposed like a normal man.I winked. You know I don’t mind the audience.” 

He didn’t smile

Celeste,he said, his voice low, careful. There’s something I need to say.” 

Straight to the point. Oh, what a man

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1 smoothed my hair, ignoring the faint prickle in my stomach. Don’t be nervous. I promise I’ll say yes.” 

Celeste.” 

The sound of my name againfirmer, coldercut through my fantasy like a blade.

My fingers froze around my wine glass. What is it?” 

He took a breath, steady and deep. His gaze didn’t waver as his eyes locked on mine. We need to end this.” 

For a heartbeat, I didn’t understand the words. They made no sense strung together like that. Endwhat?” 

This,he said, gesturing between us. Our relationship.

I laughed. I actually laughed. Oh, gods, you’re terrible at this. You nearly had me for a second.” 

Celeste-” 

No, no.I shook my head. You know I like theatrics, but this is a bit much, Kie. You don’t get to fake a breakup right before you 

propose.” 

His expression didn’t shift. I’m not joking.” 

Silence cracked between us

The candles flickered, and the piano faltered into another key

My throat went dry. You’re serious.” 

I am.” 

I stared at him, trying to decipher the lines of his face. Did Sera put you up to this?I asked finally. Or was it Daniel? He’s always hated 

me, and I knew that pretentious invitation was a tactic-” 

This isn’t about them,he cut in sharply

Then what? My voice rose before I could stop it. What the actual fuck is happening right now?” 

Kieran sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Celeste, I’ve failed you. I thought I could love you the way you wanted, but I can’t. I

don’t think I ever have. And I won’t keep pretending. It’s wrongfor both of us.” 

My mind recoiled. This couldn’t be real. Panic rose, refusing to let reality take hold. This wasn’t fucking happening

You’re wrongThe words came out brittle, trembling. I know you, Kieran. You don’t mean that.” 

I do.” 

I could feel my pulse hammering in my throat, my chest, my fingertips. He couldn’t mean it. Not after everything

I’ve given you ten years of my life!I spat. Ten years of waiting, loving, fighting! You think you can justend it?I swung my arm around the empty restaurant. Like this?” 

His eyes softened, but only with pity. That made it worse

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You deserve better than me,he said quietly. Someone who won’t hurt you the way I have.” 

For godssake, stop acting like you’re doing this for me!My voice cracked. This isn’t noble, Kieran. It’s cruel.” 

He didn’t flinch. He just looked at me, silent, steady, resolutethe same way he’d looked at me when he’d walked away after the Trials

Was this how he had divorced Sera? Cold and unfeeling?

Call me whatever you want,he said calmly, like he was discussing lunch plans instead of ending our fucking relationship

Ill take responsibility for everything. I’ll handle the press, any rumors that may ariseeverything. I’ll even make sure you’re compensated for the time and effort you’ve put into-” 

Compensated?I cut him off, my voice sharp enough to draw blood. Like this is a business deal that fell through?” 

I know you have your heart set on it, but there won’t be an engagement ceremony,he continued, tone clipped. Our relationship has to 

end here.” 

The finality in his tone made something inside me shatter

That festering hate that had been growing exploded like a ripe pimple

My palm struck his cheek with a sharp crack that echoed through the empty restaurant

How dare you?My breaths came ragged. You think I care about your money, your stupid offers of compensation? I don’t want any of 

that, KieranI want you!” 

Tears spilled down, hot and traitorous, streaking my perfectly painted face

You think some press statement can fix this? That some fucking cheque that I don’t need can erase the fact that I loved you more than 

my own blood?” 

His face had snapped to the side at my strike, and he sat frozen, his eyes locked on something in the distance

Look at me!I shouted. You were mine before Sera ever came into the picture. And yet, I bore the shame of being the woman who stole 

her sister’s husband when it was the other way around. You owe me, Kieran. You owe me!” 

His eyes flickeredpain, guilt. But stilldetermination. I can’t marry you, Celeste. Not when I don’t love you the way you deserve.

refuse to make the same mistake a second time. You deserve to be with someone who truly, truly loves you.

My nails bit into my palms as his words struck my heart, and I fought the scream building up in my throat

The tattoo on my arm burned like a fresh scar

I’d done that alreadybeen with someone who loved me. And I’d deserted that person for Kieran. I’d suppressed my wolf for Kieran.

I would not let all my sacrifices be in vain. No fucking way

So I swallowed the scream, straightened my shoulders, and wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. I don’t accept this. None of 

it.” 

He frowned

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You can hate me,he said, standing slowly. I’ll take the blame, I’ll handle the fallout, but this ends here. There will be no engagement, no marriage. You will not be my Luna, Celeste. I’m sorry.

Fuck that

I rose too, every inch of me trembling. You’ll regret this.” 

He shook his head. No, I don’t think I will.

I’ll send out the invitations for our engagement party,I replied coolly. You’ll receive one soon. And you’ll show up. And when you see me standing there, looking stunning, wearing the dress meant for your wife, your Luna, you’ll come to your senses.

Celeste-” 

I didn’t let him finish

My heels clicked sharply across the marble as I turned and walked out, head high, throat tight

The air outside was cold, biting, too bright against the dizziness spinning in my skull. I slid into my car and gripped the wheel until my 

knuckles ached

I laughed through tears, disbelief swirling in my chest. Break up,I whispered. The words stuck, raw, surreal

My foot hit the accelerator before reason could catch up. The city blurred around meribbons of traffic, sun glare, and the white blur of 

my reflection in the windshield

I didn’t remember the decision to drive to the mall, but the feel of Kieran’s black card in my hand filled me with relish. I would have 

much preferred to claw his face off

But this would have to do for now

By the time I was done, Kieran’s account had taken a beatingdesigner coats, diamond earrings, a new clutch I didn’t need, and several 

pairs of heels I’d probably never wear

The clerks, of course, were delighted. They fluttered around me like ants to sugar, their voices syrupy with compliments

Oh, Miss Lockwood, that shade is divine on you.” 

Would you like us to box up the entire collection?” 

I let them. I let their flattery wash over me like a balm, numbing the hollow ache Kieran’s words had carved out of me

Every swipe of his black card was another attempt to erase the sting, to buy back the illusion of control. Silk, cashmere, goldthings that used to make me feel powerful, untouchable. But today, it barely scratched the surface

No matter how many glossy bags filled the backseat of my car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was trying to fill an emptiness that had 

Kieran’s name carved into it

When I pulled up to the manor again, I couldn’t believe it was just late afternoon. It felt like I’d lived in three consecutive days

I stepped inside, exhausted, heels clicking against marble, and called out, Mother? I’m home.” 

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172 Chapter 172 THE END 

No answer

I sighed, setting my bags on the sideboard in the foyer. You will not believe what happened, Mom. Honestly, I could use one of your 

soups right now-” 

Then I froze

At the far end of the hall, near the foot of the stairs, a small figure stood waiting with a tray in his hands, the scent of sugar and butter 

weaving through the air

Daniel

Anger consumed me in a blistering wave as I slammed the door shut.

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