Chapter 33 – A Moment Realized Too Late

That night felt quieter than usual. Celeste sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the moonlight streaming through the window. Her heart was still in turmoil, as if the walls she had built inside herself were slowly crumbling, piece by piece.

She bit her lip, recalling what had happened earlier.

Alistair hadn't forced her. There was no coercion, no threats. There was only a warm touch, a gaze filled with certainty, and words that seemed to read straight into her heart.

"I won't force you to accept my feelings, but I won't let you keep hiding from me either."

Celeste exhaled deeply, resting her head against the wall.

Why did her heart feel so exhausted?

Knock. Knock.

The sound of someone at the door made her jolt. Celeste turned toward it, but before she could answer, the door had already opened.

Alistair stood in the doorway, wearing a black shirt with his sleeves slightly rolled up.

"You're still awake," he said softly.

Celeste didn't respond. She only looked at him.

Alistair closed the door behind him and stepped inside without hesitation. He stopped right in front of her, his gray eyes fixed on her—not as piercing as usual, but gentler somehow.

"Are you thinking about something?" he asked.

Celeste averted her gaze. "I'm just tired."

Alistair moved closer, and without warning, he sat beside her.

"I'm tired too," he murmured.

Celeste turned to him, slightly confused.

"What do you mean?"

Alistair leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I'm tired of watching you fight your own feelings."

Celeste stiffened. "I'm not—"

"No need to deny it, Celeste." His gaze on her grew more intense. "I know you feel the same way."

Silence.

Celeste couldn't answer.

Because deep down, she knew Alistair was right.

All this time, she had refused to acknowledge that something inside her had begun to change.

Alistair lifted his hand, gently tilting her chin up, forcing her to look at him.

"Tell me," he whispered. "If you still want to run, I'll let you go. But if you stay… I want you to stop lying to yourself."

Celeste felt her heart hammering inside her chest.

Her eyes searched his gray ones, looking for something—anything.

Alistair waited.

Seconds passed, and then, slowly… Celeste reached out, touching his hand that still rested on her face.

Alistair's brows furrowed slightly, as if he couldn't believe it—the woman who had always pushed him away was finally responding.

"I don't know…" Celeste's voice was barely a whisper. "I just… don't want to feel lost anymore."

Alistair held her gaze for a moment. Then, without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms.

"You're not lost," he murmured, his voice low and warm. "You just need to stop fighting what you feel."

Celeste let herself sink into his embrace.

For the first time, she didn't feel the need to run.

Alistair still held Celeste tightly, as if afraid she would disappear if he loosened his grip. His warm breath brushed against her neck, sending an unfamiliar sensation through her—something she had denied for so long.

Celeste blinked, realizing just how comfortable this embrace was. She could hear Alistair's steady heartbeat, as if trying to calm the restlessness in her own.

Then, Alistair pulled back slightly, gazing at her with his signature smirk.

"You know, Celeste," his voice was low and teasing, "if you keep letting yourself stay in my arms like this, I might start thinking you actually like me."

Celeste let out a small scoff, trying to suppress the smile threatening to form. "I'm just too lazy to move."

Alistair raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're choosing to stay in my arms because you're lazy? Interesting."

He leaned in closer, mere inches away from her, his eyes glinting mischievously.

"Then, what if I give you a reason to stay? Something more than just laziness?" he murmured.

Celeste felt warmth creeping up her face. "You really enjoy teasing me, don't you?"

Alistair chuckled softly, his voice deep and enticing. "Only with you, darling. Besides, I need to make sure you realize just how irresistible I am, don't I?"

Celeste rolled her eyes. "So full of yourself."

"I'm just stating facts." Alistair touched her chin, tilting it up so she would look at him again. "And the fact is, you can't seem to look away from me, can you?"

Celeste opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Alistair pressed a finger to her lips.

"Shhh… No need to deny it," he said with a smirk. "Your eyes have already told me everything."

Celeste's heartbeat quickened.

Alistair then brushed his thumb gently against her cheek, making her close her eyes for a brief moment, unconsciously savoring the warmth of his touch.

"You're beautiful," he whispered. "But I'm sure you already know that."

Celeste swallowed hard, unsure of what to say.

"I'm serious, Celeste." His smile softened, sincerity flickering in his gaze. "I could spend the rest of my life just looking at you, and that would be enough."

Celeste bit her lip, feeling a shy warmth spread through her.

"And I'm not joking," he added. "If you keep this up, I might just fall even deeper for you."

Celeste held her breath.

Fall in love?

Before she could process his words, Alistair pulled her even closer, resting his forehead against hers.

"Do you feel this too, Celeste?" he whispered. "Because I know I'm not alone in this."

Celeste didn't answer. But the way she stayed in his embrace was all the confirmation Alistair needed.