Chapter 7 Celeste assumed Dominic would fly straight back to China after the concert . ] ] So when she came home the next day to find the kitchen lights on and Dominic already cooking dinner , she froze in the doorway . [ ] After a moment , she forced a smile and walked over . " What's on the menu tonight ? Steak again ? " ] She glanced at the table , then stopped cold . [ ] It wasn't steak and Merlot . It was oxtail soup - her favorite . ] ] Celeste's heart stuttered . " Why this today ? " ] Dominic said casually , " No more steak going forward . Give it a try . " [ Celeste stood frozen . Then she noticed Dominic's phone on the counter , a message from Vivienne visible on the screen . ] ] " I don't want to be like everyone else . " Something twisted violently in Celeste's chest . She sat down at the table in silence . She lowered her head and sipped the soup . Each spoonful tasted more bitter than the last . She'd barely managed two when Dominic said , " I'm going to France with Vivienne tomorrow . Don't contact me for the next few days . " [ ] Celeste understood . He wanted to spend his birthday alone with Vivienne . [ ] Just like the past three years . [ ] She forced her lips to curve . " Okay . " [ ] Perhaps her docility pleased him , because Dominic smiled . " I'll bring you back a gift from France . " ] " " No need . " Celeste looked up , meeting Dominic's eyes . One last time , she smiled at him . [ ] " Mr. Ashford , happy early birthday . " [ ] She smiled , holding his gaze . Their eyes locked , and she watched something deepen in his expression . [ ] Then he stood and walked to her side , his tall frame blocking out the overhead light . [ ] From this angle , Celeste could only see his sharp , cold features backlit against the glow . [ ] Then he leaned down , his icy presence enveloping her completely . [ ] But his kiss burned like volcanic fire . Kissing her face , her bare shoulders . [ ] Lost in the haze , Celeste felt herself lifted into his arms as he carried her toward the bedroom All the way there , she clung to his neck , eyes closed , yet every step he took , every corner they passed felt vivid in her mind . [ ] The first year with Dominic , he'd shown her his sprawling estate , his modern penthouses and villas . [ ] Standing before the floor to ceiling windows of London's tallest building , Dominic had said : " Point to one . It's yours . " [ ] But she'd chosen this place the most ordinary , quiet apartment [ ] Just like the love Celeste had wanted from Dominic back then simple love , and a home . [ ] The bedroom curtains were drawn tight , the dim lighting obscuring Dominic's face . [ ] He laid Celeste on the bed and reached to turn on the light , but she suddenly pulled him down , kissing him hard [ ] Chapter 7 " Like this , Dominic ... "[ ] Like this . One last indulgence . [ ] It was the first time she'd called him by his first name , her voice heavy as a whisper . [ ] Dominic laughed softly , then deepened the kiss with force . [ ] It was the most intense night in three years . [ ] out . By the end , Celeste had practically passed out . After carrying her to the bathroom to clean up , Dominic watched her sleep and couldn't help pressing a kiss to her forehead . [ ] The next morning , when Celeste woke , Dominic was already gone . [] She got up and washed , then received a message from Iris . ] " 3 PM flight . You packed ? I'll come get you . " [] Packed ? Celeste looked around empty apartment . Everything of hers had been thrown out by Dominic half a month ago . She texte can come get me now . " She'd taken care of everything these past few days . All that remained were a few clothes . [ ] After packing , she placed the property deed and bank card Dominic had given her on his study desk . [ ] These two things , bought with three years of memories - she chose to leave them in this house . ] ] Taking one last look around the empty living room , a small smile touched Celeste's lips . [ ] " I've actually always been grateful . You pulled me up when I was drowning . But I realize ... I never properly thanked you . " Now , shedding the identity of kept woman , she could finally stand on equal ground with Dominic . ] She could smile and say : " Thank you , Dominic Ashfo " ] Even though they'd never meet again . [] Even though he couldn't hear her . But some departures don't require goodbyes . ] Celeste opened the door , looked back one last time , and slowly closed behind her . At the same moment , on a London road , the Rolls - Royce suddenly braked hard . The contract in Dominic's hand fell to the floor . He frowned . [ ] " Sorry , Mr. Ashford . A child ran into the street . " ] The driver glanced nervously at his expression . " We'll pick up Miss Harlow very soon . " [ ] Dominic made a noncommittal sound and bent to retrieve the contract , an inexplicable unease stirring in his chest . [ ] For a split second , he wanted to call Celeste . But he quickly dismissed the impulse . At 3 PM , Dominic's plane landed in France [ ] Celeste's flight back to China was just taking off . Twelve hours later , Dominic attended the birthday party Vivienne had thrown for him in France [ ] Between toasts and conversation , Dominic checked his phone and frowned when he realized Celeste genuinely hadn't messaged him . [ ] At that same moment , Celeste's plane touched down in Washington . The moment she exited the airport , a colleague from the research facility approached her . [ ] Welcome aboard . Here's your new phone . We're heading straight to the hase . " Chapter 7 Celeste accepted the phone with thanks and followed him to the car . Then she reached out and firmly pulled the car door shut . [ ] Two days later , Dominic returned to London a day early . [ ] In the car , his assistant glanced at the luxury shopping bags piled in the passenger seat and said with a smile , " Don't worry , Mr. Ashford . I'll get these to Miss Harlow right away . " Dominic shot him a cool look . " They're for Celeste Wren . " The assistant looked surprised . " But didn't Miss Wren say there was nothing she wanted from France ? " She'd said no . But Dominic remembered these were items Celeste had marked in magazines before . [ ] Dominic looked away . " Draft a new contract for Celeste . Increase it from 300,000 to 500,000 . Deliver it tomorrow : " [] When Dominic returned to the apartment , everything was spotless - exactly as he'd left it . [ ] He went to the kitchen and , as usual , prepared dinner and set it on the table . Then he sat down to wait . ] From evening into deep night . [ ] Céleste never home . Dominic stared at the cold oup , his expression turning glacial . Impatiently , he pulled out his phone and called Celeste , his face hard . The line rang once . once . Before his reprimand could leave his lips , a cold mechanical voice echoed in his ear . [ ] " The number you have dialed is no longer in service ... " [] 309