Celia paced the length of her apartment, her thoughts swirling like a storm. Her legs were still trembling from the chase, the confrontation, and the impossible whirlwind that was Ezra De-Luca-Liang. She collapsed onto the couch, her hands gripping the fabric as her mind replayed the events of the evening. It wasn't just the attack—it was the presence of Ezra, swooping in like some dark angel, always there when she least expected it.
She shook her head, trying to dispel the growing confusion that gnawed at her. What was she supposed to feel? Gratitude? Relief? Or was it anger for being trapped in this never-ending cycle of danger?
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, jarring her from her thoughts. It was a message from Gabriel Liang, Ezra's cousin.
"We need to talk. There are things you need to know. Meet me at 10 p.m. by the waterfront. I wouldn't ask unless it was important."
Celia's heart sank. What more could there possibly be? But something inside her told her she couldn't ignore this message. Gabriel had always been a calm and reliable presence, one of the few people she trusted in Ezra's world, despite everything.
Reluctantly, she grabbed her jacket and headed out. The city was quieter now, the chaos of the evening giving way to the cool breeze of the night. She kept her pace quick, her senses alert for any signs of danger as she made her way to the waterfront.
By the time she reached the meeting point, Gabriel was already waiting, leaning against the hood of his car. His face was hard to read, but there was an urgency in his stance that told Celia whatever he had to say wasn't going to be easy.
"You're here," he said, his eyes scanning her with the same measured calm he always had.
"Gabriel, what's going on?" Celia asked, crossing her arms to brace herself against the cool air.
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair before meeting her gaze. "There are things happening behind the scenes that Ezra hasn't told you. And I think it's time you knew the truth."
Celia's stomach tightened. "What truth?"
"The attack tonight—it wasn't random. Ferrara has been after Ezra for months, and you've been caught in the crossfire because of something that happened years ago."
Celia swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. "What are you talking about?"
Gabriel shifted, his eyes darkening with something akin to guilt. "Your father's debts. You weren't supposed to be dragged into this, Celia. But Ferrara is using you to get to Ezra. And there's more…"
Celia blinked, confused. "More?"
"Ezra didn't just marry you to protect you," Gabriel continued, his voice low and cautious. "He was trying to settle an old score. Your father owed a lot of money to Ferrara's family, and the deal was that you were supposed to be the collateral."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Collateral. The very word made her feel small, insignificant, as if her life had been nothing more than a bargaining chip in a game she didn't understand.
"You're lying," Celia whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. But deep down, a part of her knew it made sense—the hurried marriage, the constant danger, Ezra's intense protectiveness. It all fit together in a way that was both horrifying and heartbreakingly clear.
"I wish I was," Gabriel said quietly. "But Ferrara still sees you as part of the debt. That's why his men attacked tonight. They don't care if you're innocent—they want what's theirs."
Celia's legs felt weak, and she stumbled back, leaning against the railing for support. Her mind raced, trying to process everything at once. She had been used, played like a pawn in a war she hadn't even known existed.
And yet, there was something else gnawing at her—a question that lingered in the back of her mind.
"If Ezra knew this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "why did he marry me? Why didn't he just leave me to them?"
Gabriel's expression softened, and for the first time that night, Celia saw something raw and unguarded in his eyes.
"Because he couldn't," Gabriel said. "Ezra… he didn't plan on falling for you, but he did. And now he's caught between protecting you and trying to keep his world from collapsing."
Celia's breath hitched in her throat. Ezra had feelings for her? After everything, after all the betrayal, the lies… he still cared?
Before she could process the implications of that, Gabriel stepped closer, his expression growing even more serious. "Celia, listen to me.