She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

48

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Celia gripped the armrest, knuckles white. Heat spread through her veins like needles under her skin. dizziness hitting in waves. She bit her tongue hard. The taste of blood and the sharp pain brought her a brief moment of clarity.

“Testosterone propionate derivatives and a high dose of hallucinogens… Her pharmacology training kicked in her mind immediately. She figured, ‘The effects are way more intense than I’d expected. Whoever did this doesn’t want me to have any time to fight back.

‘Someone must have tampered with that water. Laylah… Looking back now, Celia realized that fleeting smile in Laylah’s eyes had been laced with cold, icy malice.

The heavy wooden door clicked. Someone was pushing it open from outside.

Celia’s heart jumped. She gathered whatever strength she had left and threw herself into the far corner. Her back hit the wall hard. The dull pain made her grunt, cutting through some of the fog in her head.

A figure slipped inside and, with practiced ease, locked the door behind them.

It was a guy in his late wenties, in a flashy silver suit, his hair slicked back and way too shiny. He had a cocky, sickening grin, his eyes shamelessly checking out Celia, stopping on the wet stain on her dress.

“Ms. Ross? All alone in here? Must be boring,” he snickered, stepping closer. The stench of cologne and booze hit Celia as he leaned in. “Heard you’re not feeling well. How about I keep you company, yeah?”

Celia recognized him, Louis Dickerson, a spoiled rich kid living off his family’s money, known for wild parties. and a train wreck of a private life. Word was, he was some kind of distant relative of the Steins.

“Get out,” Celia rasped. Her cold voice was hoarse from the drugs and the effort of holding herself together.

Louis wasn’t fazed. He looked thrilled. “Spicy. Pretend to be tough?” He clicked his tongue, eyes bold. “Beckham’s done with you. Come to me. I’ll treat you better than him.” He reached for Celia’s arm as he spoke.

Instead of dodging, Celia waited until Louis’ fingers were almost on her, then threw herself sideways with all her effort.

Her target was the pearl-encrusted silver knife right by the open jewelry box on the vanity. It was for opening letters or snipping flower stems, small, but sharp enough to do damage.

Her sudden movement kicked the drugs into overdrive. Another wave of dizziness and heat washed over her. Her vision blurred, and she nearly dropped the cold blade.

“Still some fight left?” Louis scoffed. He clearly thought her struggle was just a cornered animal’s last, useless attempt. He sauntered closer, thoroughly entertained.

Celia pressed back against the cold wall. Louis’ figure blurred and doubled in her vision. Suddenly, she raised her left hand, not at Louis, but at her own thigh, and slashed down, hard and merciless.

The fabric ripped softly, and the blade bit into her flesh, sharp and searing. She’d chosen the spot carefully, no major arteries, but the pain would be lasting.

19:28 Mon, May 11

Chapter 33

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Blood poured out instantly, soaking the hem of her ivory white dress and spreading into a shocking, bright

red.

The agony hit her like ice water, washing away the fever and dizziness. For one precious second, her mind was clear.

Louis was stunned. He never expected Celia to go this hard.

While he was still reeling. Celia raised the bloody knife and pointed it at Louis. Her face was pale, sweat dripping, but her eyes burned with cold fury and deadly intent.

“Louis.” Her voice was pained, but sharp as a blade. “See what’s in my hand?”

That wild, desperate look in her eyes caught Louis off guard. He froze instinctively.

“I know your body better than you do,” Celia said, voice low and steady. “Carotid’s here, half an inch deep. Cut it, you’ve only got thirty seconds. The femoral’s deeper. Same ending.”

As she spoke, she gestured with the blade toward Louis’ neck and thigh, chillingly precise, like a doctor knowing exactly where to cut.

“You’re insane,” Louis bed, his voice cracking, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He’d messed with plenty of women, even forced himself on some, but never met one who’d slice herself open then calmly tell him how she’d end him.

nt, I can make it look however I want. “Insane?” Celia’s cold smile was lifeless. Face pale, leg blood-soaked, she looked terrifying. “Go ahead. Make your move. See who wins.” She paused. “Self-defense, or medical acc. Wanna bet, Louis?”

Cold sweat ran down Louis’ forehead. Celia’s hand was steady, her gaze sharp, like a surgeon ready to cut. Louis could tell from her ruthless confidence that she would actually do it.

“It was Aiyana. She gave me the key and said there was a surprise,” Louis blurted, panic on his face, scrambling to shift the blame. “I just came to check on you. I didn’t mean anything. I swear.”

“The key,” Celia snapped, sharp and commanding.

Louis dug out a room card and tossed it on the floor.

“Get out,” Celia spat, her voice cold and final.

Louis looked like he’d just gotten a free pass. He spun to run, but his legs almost gave out. He stumbled to the door, clawing at the lock.

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