Chapter 38: Celeste’s Instagram Update
When Ash woke up in the morning, Adrian had already left for work. A small smile lingered on his face at the thought of Adrian staying by his side until he drifted off. He still felt a little weak, but he pushed himself out of bed and got ready for school. His mother hesitated, suggesting he rest another day, but Ash shook his head gently. With only a month left before his high school final exams, he couldn’t allow himself to fall behind.
Bravin dropped him off at school, and from the gate onward, students’ eyes followed him. Even in class, he caught their occasional glances. Ash knew what they were silently wondering-how he was connected to the Leclair family, but he let them keep guessing.
When Naomi saw him, she quickly stood from her seat and embraced him. "I thought you wouldn’t come today. School feels boring without you."
Martin, still seated, teased, "Just admit you’d have no one to copy answers from. Don’t hide behind excuses like boring."
Ash chuckled at the two and shook his head before heading to his seat.
Just then, near the front of the class, a beta student knelt down with a bunch of flowers, asking an omega to be his boyfriend. The omega nodded, and the two hugged as the room burst into cheers and clapping.
Martin’s eyes lingered on them longer than the others. It reminded him of his own encounter with Aster earlier that morning on the way to school. He wanted to share it with Ash and Naomi, but he held back. Ash had warned him before not to think about Aster, saying he had a bad reputation.
Naomi broke the moment, saying, "By the way, Ash, school rules twenty-five and forty-two have been terminated."
Martin added, "Yeah, I heard they were removed under the authority of Alpha Lucien,"
Naomi continued, "And Principal William and his son Marcus lost their positions in the academy. They’ve been suspended from their ranks and sentenced to one year in prison for challenging Alpha Lucien."
Ash felt a little pity for them. Alpha Marcus punishing him had been fair-he had broken the rules. Fainting hadn’t been his fault, though. But the thought of Marcus and his father standing against Lucien cut through him like a blade. He murmured quietly, "They deserve it."
A few minutes later, Lucien entered the classroom. He greeted the students and began the lesson, asking questions as he wrote on the board. Hands shot up across the room, including Ash’s, but Lucien never called on him. Instead, he picked other students, his eyes carefully avoiding Ash’s.
At one point, Lucien posed a question and no one raised their hand-expect Ash. Still, Lucien acted as if he hadn’t noticed and worked through the problem himself, explaining each step.
Ash lowered his hand slowly, his thoughts restless. Why can’t he set our personal issues aside and just call on me? I’m dying to work out on it.
When the lesson finally ended, Lucien closed his book and dismissed the class. Then his gaze shifted toward Ash.
"Ash, follow me," he said calmly before walking out of the room.
Naomi and Martin exchanged quick glances, both curious but saying nothing as Ash stood up from his seat.
Ash’s stomach tightened as he followed Lucien out of the classroom. He already had a feeling what this was about, and he wasn’t ready for it. The thought alone made his palms damp.
When they reached the office, Ash paused at the doorway, hesitating.
"Come in," Lucien said.
Ash stepped inside but stayed near the door, shifting uneasily.
Lucien studied him for a moment before asking quietly, "Have you become afraid of me?" He let out a breath. "Fine. I know I was wrong to try forcing myself on you, but I never meant to harm you, Ash."
He moved closer, step by step, until Ash’s back touched the wall. Lucien leaned in, bracing one hand against the wall beside him. His eyes held a mix of restraint and emotion as he looked at Ash.
"But when I said I wanted to make you mine," Lucien murmured, "I meant it."
Ash tensed, swallowing hard as a bead of sweat slid down his temple. His voice came out low, almost caught in his throat. "But..."
"I’ll take it slow," Lucien cut in gently, his eyes fixed on him. "Please, don’t deny me a chance."
Ash froze, unsure how to respond. In his heart, he didn’t hate Lucien. After all, when Lucien had stood up for him against Marcus and his father, Ash had begun to like him more-it showed he genuinely cared. But he still couldn’t forget the way Lucien had rushed things before, forcing what Ash wasn’t ready for. That part left a heavy mark.
Sensing his silence, Lucien slowly pulled back, giving him space. "This evening," he said quietly, "I’ll drive you home."
Ash left the office and returned to class, his expression unsettled. Naomi and Martin noticed right away, their eyes following him as he slipped back into his seat. They exchanged a glance, curious to know what had happened with Lucien, but neither pressed. If Ash didn’t want to talk, they would wait.
Before the final lesson of the day; personal studies, the three of them settled in the library. Martin had a book open in front of him, Ash sat quietly flipping pages, while Naomi scrolled through her tablet.
Suddenly, Naomi froze. Her eyes locked on the screen, and her fingers stopped mid-swipe. She didn’t say anything at first, just stared.
Martin leaned over curiously, and when he saw the post, his expression tightened. He hesitated, glancing at Ash, then back at Naomi, unsure if they should even show him.
Naomi finally slid the tablet across the table toward Ash, her voice quiet. "You need to see this."
Ash’s hand hovered for a moment before taking the tablet. As his eyes met the screen, his chest tightened, and the noise of the library seemed to fade into silence.
It was Celeste’s Instagram update: a polished photo of her and Adrian inside a private jet. Celeste was leaning in, kissing Adrian’s cheek. The caption read:
✈️Accompanying my fiance on his business trip 💋
The post was already buzzing across social media, racking up comments and likes at a rapid pace.
...
That morning, when Adrian arrived at the office, he was immediately pulled into a problem that had come up overnight. A major deal with an overseas partner had hit a snag, and the issue needed urgent negotiation. Ironfang Enterprises was the only company capable of stepping in to resolve it, and the responsibility landed squarely on Adrian’s shoulders.
Normally, Johnson would have handled such matters himself. But since he was already occupied-and his son Lucien had no interest in the business world-he decided to send his daughter Celeste to accompany Adrian and represent the family in the talks.
Adrian didn’t like the arrangements. He would have preferred to travel alone rather than deal with Celeste’s company, but the deal was too important. With the company’s future and his father’s trust on the line, he had no choice but to accept her by his side for the trip.
..
Ash pushed the tablet back across the table, his face unreadable. He didn’t say a word, but Naomi and Martin could see the tension in his jaw.
That morning in the office, the air between him and Lucien had already been tight, almost stifling. Now, with Adrian’s face on Celeste’s feed, that same weight pressed down harder until it felt he couldn’t breathe.
He knew Lucien would be waiting at the gates, ready to drive him home. But the thought of Lucien being close, driving him home, would only make it worse- and he wasn’t ready to face it.
When the final bell rang, Ash didn’t head toward the front. Instead, he slipped out through the quieter back gate, avoiding the crowd. Outside, a row of rental bicycles stood waiting. He paid quickly, grabbed one, and pleaded off without looking back.
He didn’t know where he was going-only that he wanted to be alone.
At the front gate, Lucien waited patiently, a taxi already idling nearby. He hadn’t brought his own car today-Aster had insisted on driving him to and from work, calling himself his "driver." Lucien hadn’t argued, though the idea gnawed at him. He didn’t want Ash to know about it, didn’t even like admitting it to himself.
The crowd of students slowly thinned, but Ash never came. A faint crease formed between Lucien’s brows. He finally stepped closer to the bicycle rental stand beside the gate.
"Did you see a boy; tall, dark hair, school uniform-take one of your bicycles?" he asked.
The man’s face brightened with recognition. "Yes, I remember him. A slender boy...sharp eyes, quiet but striking. You don’t forget a student like that. He rented a bicycle just a short while ago."
Lucien’s chest tightened. "Which way did he go?"
The man lifted a hand and pointed toward the road leading out of town.
Lucien’s gaze followed, his expression unreadable, though something flickered in his eyes.
Ash pedaled steadily down the empty road, the cool air brushing against his face. His thoughts tangled as memories came rushing back-the first kiss Adrian had stolen from him, the way he had taken him in his mouth and then shared the taste back with a kiss, the quiet care of feeding him when he was sick, and the warmth of staying by his side until sleep pulled him under.
Then the image of Celeste’s Instagram post cut through it all like a blade; her kiss on Adrian’s cheek, the word fiance stamped beneath it.
Tears welled and rolled down Ash’s cheeks, blurring the road ahead. He gripped the handlebars tighter, his chest twisting painfully.
The sky darkened, and within moments, rain began to pour, soaking through his uniform until it clung to his skin. Ash’s breath hitched, and he finally let the words tear from his throat, raw and broken.
"Why does it hurt!"