SILENT VOWS

That morning, Celestine sat at the dining table, lazily stirring her toast. Her gaze drifted out the window before she muttered, "I'm bored staying home…"

Yeager, already dressed in his suit, glanced over from the doorway.

"Can I go to the mall?" Celestine asked, turning to him with a tone that resembled a kid asking for candy.

Yeager narrowed his eyes slightly. "As long as you go with the driver."

Celestine's face lit up with a bright smile. "Deal!"

Without saying much, Yeager reached into his wallet and pulled out a sleek black metal card—his express black card, with virtually no limit. He slid it across the table toward her.

"Use this. Buy whatever you want. Just don't run away," he said casually, then leaned in to kiss her forehead before heading for the door.

Celestine stared at the card in disbelief, her lips slightly parted. "Okay... so this is what it feels like to be a CEO's wife…"

She clutched the card and giggled to herself before rushing off to get ready.

That afternoon, in her room Celestine sat at the edge of the bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She gently touched her cheek.

"How could I become this foolish just because of one night?" she whispered to herself, eyes filled with conflict.

Later that evening, at the mall...

She was browsing through a row of elegant dresses when a notification popped up on her phone. A message from an unknown number:

"Yeager is a mafia. A killer. Run before you become his next victim."

Her hand trembled. Her breath caught in her throat.

She glanced over her shoulder—her driver was still waiting outside the boutique. Celestine slipped into the fitting room, pretended to try on clothes, then exited through the back door. Blending into the crowd, she quickly flagged down a passing taxi.

"Valiant Tower Apartments. Please hurry," she said, her voice shaky.

At Rana's apartment...

Rana opened the door, startled.

"Celestine? What—"

Before she could finish, Celestine wrapped her arms around her tightly.

"Let me stay here tonight… I just need to breathe. Please, don't ask anything yet."

Rana blinked, confused, but nodded and let her in.

That night, back at Yeager's mansion...

The front door swung open. Yeager stormed in, his face dark.

"You couldn't keep track of her?! How could she escape with the driver on duty?!"

The household staff bowed their heads in silence. Yeager exhaled sharply and took out his phone. He called Celestine—no answer.

A new message appeared, again from that same unknown number:

"She knows now. Just like I know you're a mafia. A killer."

Yeager typed quickly:

"Who are you?"

The reply came instantly:

"Someone you don't need to know."

Yeager's eyes narrowed. His jaw clenched.

Meanwhile, in Rana's apartment

Celestine lay on the couch, eyes wide open. She called the one person she could trust.

"Jamie… please, don't tell Yeager I'm here. I'm scared now. Just this once—help me."

On the other end, Jamie sighed deeply.

"Are you serious, sis? They'll think you're missing!"

"I know. But please, Jamie. Just one night. I don't know what to believe anymore."

He paused, then finally gave in.

"Fine. One night. But you better figure out what you're gonna do tomorrow."

Celestine nodded to herself, even though he couldn't see. She hugged a pillow tightly as her thoughts raced.

That morning A sudden knock echoed from the front door. Celestine flinched, her heart skipping. Slowly, she walked over and opened it.

Standing there was Yeager.

Cold. Composed. His gaze was piercing.

"We need to talk. Now."

Celestine froze. Before she could respond, Yeager gently but firmly took her wrist and led her outside.

Rana peeked from behind the wall, shocked to see him, but before she could say a word, they were already gone.

In the car, Celestine sat in silence.

Unease crept into her chest. Was Yeager furious? Was something going to happen to her?

Back at the house Yeager walked in first. Celestine followed hesitantly. Once they reached the living room, Yeager spoke with a firm voice.

"You're staying here. I'm not going to the office today."

Celestine looked at him, unsure and wary.

"I've already called Lucas," he added.

That name again... Celestine's grip tightened. Lucas—the business partner Yeager always mentioned. Supposedly just another CEO. But now... she wasn't so sure.

Yeager looked her in the eyes.

"The person who messaged you is just trying to manipulate you. To scare you. Our biggest project is about to launch, and what you did yesterday..." He paused, frustration surfacing. "That could've jeopardized everything."

Celestine bit her lip, voice trembling.

"You think this is just about the project? I—I don't even know what's real anymore!"

Yeager stepped closer, his voice softening.

"Celestine, this is all a distraction. They know you're my weakness. They used that—used you—to shake me. To ruin what we've built. All because you ran from your responsibility as my wife."

Her breath caught in her throat. She looked down, feeling like a pawn in a game she didn't even understand.

Yeager exhaled slowly and reached out, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder.

"I just want you to know… I will protect you. Here. As long as you stay by my side, no one will hurt you."

That afternoon at school Jamie had just stepped out of the cafeteria, holding a sandwich in one hand and a drink in the other. He was casually chewing when a tall, cocky guy from the next class bumped into him on purpose.

"Hey, you're that delivery kid from the restaurant, right?" the guy mocked with a laugh.

Jamie slowly turned his head, still chewing.

"And you must be the guy who hasn't discovered deodorant yet?"

A crowd started to gather. The nearby students let out a loud, "Ooooooh!"

The guy wasn't having it. "You wanna fight me? Out back, now?"

Jamie raised an eyebrow and calmly took another bite.

"Now or after I finish eating? I don't like fighting on an empty stomach."

Moments later...

Behind the school building.

A crowd of students surrounded them. Jamie stood in the center, hands in his pockets, still looking chill.

The big guy stepped forward, swinging his arms like a wannabe boxer.

Jamie muttered under his breath, "Okay... one, two, three."

With a swift step, he spun—

"Tap!"

One quick move to the knee, and the big guy fell flat on his butt with a confused face.

"What the heck was that?!" someone shouted.

Jamie raised his hand casually, "Relax, not a ninja move. Just childhood self-defense classes. Your bad for challenging me."

The crowd burst into laughter. The fallen guy scowled, rubbing his knee.

Jamie walked off with his sandwich still untouched.

"Next time, pick an opponent who isn't hangry."

Jamie had just walked off the field in victory, looking all cool—when…

His eyes locked with Elora—the sweet girl with shoulder-length wavy hair, neat uniform, and an amused look as she watched him from a distance.

Jamie froze.

"Oh no..." he muttered under his breath.

Elora gave a small smile and waved gently from behind the crowd.

Jamie panicked.

"Crap. She saw everything."

He immediately spun around—as if he just remembered something urgent behind him—and bolted toward the school's side hallway.

One of his classmates who saw the whole thing just shook his head.

"Dude, you were so cool just now. But now you look like a cat seeing a cucumber."

Meanwhile, Jamie kept his head down, walking fast, cheeks red.

"Did she see me spinning like a Power Ranger earlier? Ugh… I'm so dead."

From afar, Elora just giggled watching Jamie run away like a nervous wreck.

"Still the same… always cute when he's flustered."