Chapter 0499
Chapter 0499
+25 BONUS
Peter embraced Celeste and kissed her forehead. Inside, a quiet conflict still simmered, but he knew he had to let it go. He couldn’t turn back time to his life with Mary. Their paths had diverged 12 years ago, a decision he had made himself. There was no point in reopening old wounds. He didn’t want to hurt his former love or his friend, which was why he had left back then. Now, the past had to stay where it belonged.
Celeste, on the other hand, felt the warmth of Peter’s embrace and couldn’t help but notice how her heart raced. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined her life would change so drastically in just a few days. The future felt uncertain, but one thing was clear: she wouldn’t be alone. It was time to let go, time to say goodbye to Adam- her first and only love. She would carry him in her heart forever, but now it was time to move on.
Peter let go of the embrace and pulled up a chair beside Celeste’s large hospital bed. She looked at him fondly, and he reached out to cup her cheek with one hand.
“Hey, maybe now you can finally spend more time painting while you recover,” he suggested.
“I think I first need to get used to not being able to move my legs,” she replied with a sigh. “Honestly, it’s already driving me crazy.”
“In my experience, it’s better to pick up a hobby to distract yourself.”
“What was yours?”
“Well… let’s just say I’ve always been someone who complicates his own life.”
“Why?”
“During the time I couldn’t walk–or even move much–1 started reading.”
“That’s great! But I don’t see how that’s complicating things.”
“Let’s just say I taught myself everything I know about my current businesses from scratch. Only when I couldn’t figure something out did I get help from Theodore.”
“How did that go?”
“Pretty well, I’d say!” Peter replied with a mischievous smirk.
Celeste didn’t fully understand his expression but assumed it had to do with the topic. Peter’s thoughts drifted back to when he had first woken up after his accident, completely dependent on Theodore for an entire year. He remembered Theodore’s blunt words:
“You’re nothing but a damn burden. I hope you’ll find a way to repay what I’ve done for you over the past six years. You’ve been a waste of resources, but I need you, and you need me. This is going to be a love–hate relationship. When you recover, I expect everything I’ve invested in you to come back tenfold.”
Those days had been dark. Theodore had cared for him meticulously, but the man seemed to despise him at the same time. Peter couldn’t understand him. Why would someone care for another person while harboring such obvious resentment? Whatever had happened in the past between them, Peter preferred not to ask. In his helpless state, all he could do was depend on him. He had no family, no memories, and no money.
“Peter…?” Celeste’s voice pulled him back to the present. She looked at him curiously, noticing how he had drifted off.
Yes?”
“Come here,” she said, stretching out her arms.
Chapter 0499
He looked at her playfully and leaned in. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him–a kiss she’d felt the need to give him all day. Now that he was in front of her, it felt surreal, like a dream where every move had to be careful to avoid waking up.
“Hey… you know, in your condition, I could very well…” Peter began, his tone teasing as he caressed her face seductively.
“Peter! That’ll have to wait! I just had surgery yesterday,” Celeste exclaimed, her face flushing with
embarrassment.
“You look perfectly fine to me…”
“Now I’m starting to get scared about moving into your house.”
“Why? You can’t back out now–you already said yes!”
“Yes, but… I can still change my mind!”
“Okay, okay… no sex until you’re fully recovered. Happy?”
Celeste caught the mischievous glint in his eyes and couldn’t help but laugh. It was clear that Peter was confident something would happen between them if she moved into his house. And, truthfully, she wanted it too. But it amazed her how the same man who had been so concerned for her in the morning was now thinking about sex by nightfall. He truly didn’t waste any time.
After a while, their conversation drifted from one topic to another. Slowly, Celeste began to doze off. Peter watched her, feeling a sense of relief. He had thought he might have to practically beg her to agree, but she had said yes. She would live with him. If it had been up to him, he would have taken her to his house the day they met. He couldn’t recall ever feeling this way about anyone before, and he took it as a good sign.
Once Celeste was deeply asleep, Peter stretched out on the sofa in the room. Her earlier question about hobbies had stirred memories of his past. So much had changed since then, but in many ways, Peter realized, he was still a product of Theodore’s influence. And now, Theodore was reaping the rewards of all those years.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0500
