Chapter 12 " Three years ago , Dominic suddenly handed all his overseas operations to his brother . For three years , he hasn't come to England once barely left the States at all . A friend told me he's been looking for someone . Celeste , are you still in D.C . ? " [ ] Celeste made a soft sound of confirmation . [ ] ] Iris immediately said . " No way . If you stay in D.C. , he'll find you eventually . Come to England instead . I've got money now I can take care of you . " ] Still so impulsive . Celeste couldn't help but smile . [ ] " Don't worry . D.C. is huge . He won't find me that easily . In a few years , he'll forget . Besides ... " She looked at the awards and certificates in her hands . " Every day I'm here , I feel one step closer to my dreams . I won't abandon my own path just to avoid him . " [] After hanging up , Celeste said goodbye to her colleagues and walked out through the Institute's gates . ] ] The moment she stepped outside , she spotted Adrian's car parked at the curb , window half - down , that cool , composed face turned toward her . ] " Need a ride ? " ] Celeste got in . " I thought you were going home today ? " [ ] Adrian's brow furrowed slightly . [] As if he didn't want to discuss what had happened at home . Celeste didn't push . She was about to speak when Adrian suddenly said , " Someone was there . " [ ] Celeste laughed . " A relative ? Your parents ' friend ? Don't tell me - a blind date setup ? " [ ] Adrian looked at her . " Yes . " [ ] Celeste froze , then burst out laughing . " That's good . You're at that age . Time to settle down . " [ ] She patted his shoulder playfully . The next moment , a strong grip pulled her wrist toward him . [ ] Adrian's subtle pine scent suddenly filled her senses . es . He gazed at her , so close she could see the flecks of amber in his eyes . [ ] " You think that's good ? " ] The midday side street was empty and silent . They were so close their body heat mingled in the air between them . [ ] Even after seeing this face for three years , being together for one , being this close to Adrian still made Celeste's heart skip a beat . [ ] She shook her head . " Not good , " " ] Not good at all . Adrian's eyes narrowed . " But I'm not ready to go public yet . " ] Celeste said quiedy . " Adrian , give me a few more years . Please . " the wil needed car to forget the past [ ] Celeste's rental wai furat this Cartes Building , dose to several research facilities [ ] Attes droggeng ties off . Adrian gul a call and beaded bome . Celeste picked up her bag and noticed her old phone inside [] The zavise fruam fires years ago . The director had iglurned it to her , but she'd never turned it on [ ] Carte de long moment , juk a deep breath , and powered it up . The moment the screen hit up , hundreds of texts and missed calls flooded in [ ] All Eryan cue person Bundok Asbied Lekonto froze , maulay at that pone . Idemosjes dhed buried for three years came rrushing back like a tidal wave ! ) She clenched her fist and opened the most recent message Gent just yesterday Na tomtext , just fu wunda 1 will find you Chapter 12 Celeste's spine went rigid . [ ] Her finger hovered over the screen . She wanted to type " Stop looking for me , " but deleted it character by character . If she wanted to forget the past , she couldn't have any contact at all . Celeste took a deep breath and deleted all the messages . She was about to put the phone away when a familiar , cold voice spoke behind her . " That heartless ? " Celeste went still . She whipped around to find someone standing before her . [ ] In the brilliant afternoon sunlight , the figure's features were obscured by the intense glare . [ ] But Celeste stood frozen in place . ] The man carved into her very bones - who'd given her the greatest salvation and deepest pain - now stood before her . [ ] Celeste's body went rigid as he stepped forward . Sunlight fell across his features , revealing the aristocratic detachment she knew so well . [ ] She watched Dominic's eyes lock onto hers , his gaze gradually turning glacial . [ ] " Celeste Wren . It's been a while . " [ ] Chapter 13