SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

------

1. The Night That Changed Everything

Rafael exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. His hesitation spoke louder than any words.

Celeste's fists clenched. "No more secrets."

Veronica smirked. "You heard the lady, Rafael."

His piercing blue eyes locked onto Celeste's. There was pain there. Regret.

And fear.

Finally, he spoke. "That night… the fire… it wasn't an accident."

Celeste's breath caught in her throat.

Rafael continued, voice tight. "Someone wanted you dead."

The room tilted. The air turned cold.

"What?"

Veronica laughed softly. "Oh, darling. He still won't say it, will he?" She stepped forward, her heels clicking against the floor. "The person who tried to kill you… was someone you loved."

A sharp pain shot through Celeste's skull.

Memories.

Flashes of fire. A hand pushing her. A voice whispering—

"You should have never trusted me."

Celeste stumbled back, gripping the edge of the desk. "Who?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

Rafael hesitated.

Then, in a voice so low it was almost a whisper, he finally said it.

"Dante."

The world crashed around her.

---

2. The Betrayal She Never Saw Coming

Celeste shook her head violently. "No. No, that's not possible."

Rafael reached for her, but she stepped back. "Celeste, listen to me—"

"You're lying."

She turned to Veronica, eyes blazing. "Tell me he's lying."

Veronica only shrugged. "Why would I? It's the truth."

Celeste's legs gave out, and she sank into the chair, heart hammering.

Dante tried to kill me?

The man who claimed to love her. The man who said he was her past.

Why?

Her voice trembled. "Why would he do that?"

Rafael's expression darkened. "Because he wanted to own you, Celeste. And when he couldn't…" His jaw tightened. "He chose to destroy you instead."

---

3. The Pieces Fall Into Place

Celeste pressed her hands against her temples. The memories were coming faster now.

Dante's hands on her shoulders. His voice low, filled with something… dangerous.

"You belong to me, Celeste."

The fire. The way he stood there, watching.

Her blood turned to ice.

"Oh my God."

Rafael knelt beside her. "Celeste, breathe."

She looked up at him, her heart breaking. "You knew."

His silence was all the confirmation she needed.

She let out a shaky laugh, tears welling in her eyes. "You knew this whole time, and you never told me?"

"I was trying to protect you."

"By lying to me?"

Veronica chuckled darkly. "See, Rafael? This is why lies never work. The truth always comes out in the end."

Celeste turned to her, her voice hoarse. "And what about you? Why are you here? How do you know all of this?"

Veronica's smile faded. For the first time, her expression softened.

"Because, darling…" She hesitated. "I was there that night too."

---

4. A New Enemy or an Unexpected Ally?

Celeste blinked. "What?"

Veronica crossed her arms. "I was the one who pulled you out of the fire."

The room spun.

Veronica saved me?

Rafael's face darkened. "You're the reason she almost died."

Veronica rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. If I wanted her dead, she wouldn't be standing here."

Celeste's mind raced.

Dante tried to kill her.

Rafael kept the truth from her.

And now Veronica—someone she didn't even remember—was claiming to have saved her life?

Her head pounded.

Who was the real enemy here?

---

5. The Past Can't Stay Buried

Veronica leaned in, her voice a whisper. "Dante's coming for you, Celeste."

Celeste's blood ran cold.

"What?"

Veronica nodded. "He knows you're starting to remember. And trust me, he won't let you walk away this time."

Rafael's grip on Celeste's hand tightened. "Over my dead body."

Veronica smirked. "Careful, darling. That might just happen."

Celeste swallowed hard.

She wasn't just running from her past anymore.

She was about to come face-to-face with it.

And this time…

She didn't know if she'd survive.

---

End of Chapter Twenty