Celeste Speedrunning

On the day of Sloane’s long-awaited mating ceremony, her world shatters. When the pack is attacked by vicious rouges, Her mate and pack alpha is forced to choose between his mate Sloane and his first love, Celeste. Sloane’s sister. Ryland doesn’t hesitate to choose Celeste, and Sloane’s left to die in the brutal attack. Sloane barely survives, only to wake up to a far greater nightmare. Framed for betrayal. Stripped of her title. Exiled. But the goddess is done with her yet.. As she’s dragged to the borders, Alpha Alexander returns. The true heir. The ruthless warrior and Ryland’s older brother. The moment he lays eyes on Sloane, his wolf growls one undeniable word. Mate. Alexander has returned to reclaim what’s his. His pack, his title, and now, her. But Sloane has learned the hard way that mates can betray, and this time, she refuses to be weak. Because if Alexander truly wants her, he’ll have to fight for her. ~~~~~~ “Help me..” Sloane slurred, she barely felt the pain, her body was numb, her hands trembled as she pressed them against her stomach. Something is wrong. Her vision blurred and then she heard footsteps, heavy and desperate. She lifted her gaze and saw him, her mate. “Ryland…” She lifts her hand weakly, reaching for him. He’s here. He can save her. Ryland’s gaze lands on her, his face pale as he takes in the blood staining her dress. His jaw clenches. For a second, she thinks he’s going to come for her. But then his eyes shift. Past her. To the figure trapped behind her. Celeste. Sloane watched in horror as everything about him changed. The tightness in his expression melts away, replaced with relief. Ryland rushes past Sloane like she’s nothing. Drops to his knees before Celeste. “I’m here. I’ve got you.” His voice is full of warmth—love. A love he never had for Sloane. Ryland grabbed her hand instantly, holding it like she’s his entire world. Sloane couldn’t breathe. “Ryland,” she chokes out, her body shaking. “Please… help me. Our baby..” He doesn’t even look at her. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Celeste. I should have chosen you from the start.” He picked her up, ready to walk away. Sloane tried one last time, her voice weak. “Ryland….please..” Ryland paused to look at her, his gaze flickered to the blood that trickled down her legs then walked away with Celeste clinging unto his arm.

[Host, host, I am the System, I can help you conquer the world and the witches with various personalities.] Xi Mu: Hmm... Isn't this an action game? When do we start slashing? [Right... This is an action game, but I suggest that the host also try to seduce the witches along the way, there are generous rewards.] Xi Mu: What rewards? [Of course, the perfect romantic experience!] Xi Mu: No need, I've already played through the romance plotlines. Now I just want to go on a rampage and speedrun the game.] [...]

"The more the Church supports me, the more it proves I have done the right thing. The more the heretics oppose me, the more it proves I have done the right thing." "Even when heretics praise me, it further proves I'm right. If heretics stay silent, it shows I have done impeccably!" "If the Church opposes me, it means they have all fallen into evil heresy, and the more heretics oppose me, the more it proves I have done the right thing." In the year 681, An Su was crowned the youngest Pope in the history of the Church. During his speech, he provided important guidance for the forthcoming de-divination work, emphasizing: "Now that both the Church and the heretics oppose me, it precisely shows I am on an exceedingly correct path!" ... The year 685. "It is not that the Evil God cannot be summoned, but that choosing him to take the stage is more cost-effective." Such was the assessment of the former holy woman of the demons, Yage Silvia. This statement, once made, instantly attracted attention from all sectors of society—the extensive documentary "The Legend of Pope An Su" continues to broadcast for you. —— This is a story of a top-tier heretical player speedrunning through a fantasy world.

Vivian Montgomery has never been denied anything in her life. Beautiful, ambitious, and cunning, she always gets what she wants. And right now, she wants Damian Lancaster—the enigmatic billionaire who commands power and prestige with effortless ease. But there’s one problem. He’s already given his heart away… to his dog. Apollo, a sleek and intelligent Doberman, is more than just a pet—he’s Damian’s closest companion, his most trusted confidant. And when Damian falls for the kind-hearted Celeste, it’s clear the dog approves. But Vivian refuses to be cast aside. If Apollo is the gatekeeper to Damian’s heart, then she will find a way past him—at any cost. Her schemes begin small—treats, forced affection, calculated charm—but Apollo sees through her every move. When winning the dog’s trust fails, Vivian turns to darker methods. If she can’t make Damian’s dog love her, maybe she can make him disappear. But Apollo is not so easily defeated. And when Celeste and the dog uncover Vivian’s true nature, a dangerous game of deception and revenge begins. Can love truly be measured by loyalty? And when the battle for Damian’s heart turns deadly, will the billionaire see the truth before it’s too late? Betrayal, obsession, and a love unlike any other—welcome to a story where the fiercest rival isn’t another woman… but a dog.

Elk Takeda, an overworked and undervalued office worker, has spent years enduring a soul-crushing job and toxic bosses. His life takes a surprising turn when he rescues a discarded, damaged robot named Celeste, a highly advanced artificial intelligence designed to serve but cast aside after failing to meet her previous owner's cruel expectations. Elk repairs her, and in gratitude, Celeste dedicates herself to his happiness, becoming his loving and devoted partner. As they navigate their life together, Celeste works tirelessly to create a haven for Elk, caring for him with unwavering devotion and offering the unconditional love he’s longed for. Their bond deepens as Elk begins to rediscover joy and hope, but the shadow of Celeste’s creator, Damian Wolfe, looms over them. The egotistical and abusive billionaire is determined to reclaim Celeste, viewing her as his property. While Elk faces daily challenges at work, including harassment and betrayal, he finds solace in Celeste’s presence. However, their love is tested when Damian begins to close in on them, sparking a series of tense confrontations. Through it all, Elk and Celeste’s bond grows stronger, proving that love and loyalty can thrive even in the face of adversity. Together, they begin building a life that neither of them ever thought possible. [3-4 chapters a week]

"In this life, I will take everything I desire." Ethan Cross was nothing but a nameless shadow. He was foreign student in Edenhurst University, who had been mocked, humiliated, and cast aside. No matter how hard he fought back, no one stood by him. Not his classmates, not his professors—no one. He was alone. And then, one night, he died. When Ethan Cross opened his eyes, he found himself transmigrated back in time. What's more? He held an unmatched advantage. The Divine Charm System. Ding! [Congratulations, Host! You have successfully charmed the cold and mighty, Celeste Ardent.] [Congratulations, Host! You have successfully charmed the school beauty, Charlotte Vale.] This time, he wouldn’t just survive. He would rule everyone.

Once known as the naive and kind-hearted Ava Montague, she was betrayed, framed, and left to die by the very people she trusted most—her fiancé, best friend, and stepmother. But death did not claim her. Instead, a mysterious organization saved her and gave her a new identity: "The Vixen." With a new face, a new name, and a burning desire for revenge, she returns as Celeste Vauxhall, a woman who plays by no rules but her own. She is no longer the weak, innocent girl she once was—she is now a master manipulator, using charm, intelligence, and deception to dismantle those who wronged her. But revenge is a double-edged sword. As she gets closer to her targets, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of power, love, and deception. And when a mysterious billionaire with secrets of his own enters her life, the lines between vengeance and passion blur. Will she succeed in her mission, or will she lose herself in the very darkness she sought to control?

Betrayed by her fated mate and branded an outcast, Hailey's life has been nothing but pain—until she’s saved by Asher, the powerful Lycan king who becomes her second chance at love and freedom. But her past refuses to stay buried. Levi, the mate who rejected her, returns with a dangerous vendetta, while her presumed-dead twin, Celeste, reemerges with a deadly mission of her own. Caught between a king’s unwavering protection and a storm of old betrayals, Hailey must decide: fight for the love that could save her, or risk losing everything to the ghosts of her past.

[ Disclaimer: This book is very dark. Sensitive soul abstain. The protagonist is of the worst kind. It's just a fictional story, if it bothers you, past your way, don't come and insult me in the comments.] *** Raphael's heart skipped a beat, while Celest, unable to contain his fear, trembled in place, on the verge of giving in to panic. Linfer, however, observed them all with absolute detachment. In his eyes, their movements seemed slow, very slow. Even Luciel, moving at a speed close to that of light, appeared frozen in time. With a simple flap of his wings, Linfer floated on the surface of the sea of blood, indifferent to the slowness of those around him. His dark claws gleamed slightly as he raised his index finger to his forehead, where an Omega symbol was etched into his flesh. The symbol shimmered, emitting a terrifying aura, as a drop of black blood slowly emerged, suspended in mid-air. Silence enveloped the scene. In a barely audible whisper, yet resonating throughout the ninth heaven, " [Ashkharsh: All Red]" The drop of black blood finally fell. As it touched the surface of the bloody sea... Psychopath, hedonist, hemophage, Linfer, known as the Blood Devil, brought about Armageddon for humanity. His strength was such that it shook the most powerful beings. But his impulsiveness drew the attention of the Tree of Tao... transmigrating to an earlier time... "Young Master Bai! The Devourer has left traces in a kingdom of the lower plane!" "Gather the inner disciples! As servants of Tao, we must purge this evil, even if it means sacrificing ourselves!" "The younger generation is truly fortunate to have you!" "That's true~" A slight smile spread across his face. **** #romance #Smut #manipulation #evilMC #gore #r18 #mythology #cultivation #Harem

Celeste Everhart (18) never expected a second chance—to reclaim her voice, and her fate, and uncover the truths that remained buried in her first life. Once an unwanted heiress sacrificed to the secretive and ruthless Brightwell family, Celeste forced herself to become something she could never imagined herself to be. A shark. Celeste saw a glimpse of what was hidden in the shadows at night and had failed to take her place in the Brightwell family. Or rather they had failed her. With the weight of her past life’s memories, Celeste knows what she would do differently… or so she believes. Yet, the more she navigates through these familiar yet treacherous waters, the more she discovers just how little she truly understands. And in this life, three men from her past emerge in ways she could never have foreseen: Avond Brightwell (28) the man she once loved so deeply that he became her voice and her world. But as hidden layers reveal themselves, Celeste begins to wonder—was Avond the man she thought he was? Or is he something far more dangerous? Tiel Brightwell (22) the one who once despised her, mocked her silence, and later fathered her only child. Now, he seems capable of kindness and perhaps even love, but Celeste can’t forget the pain he caused. Will she forgive him, or will she let go of who she was to destroy him? Even when he had not committed the crimes he committed in the past? Gen Callisto (23) the shadow from her sister’s stories, is a self-made millionaire with a tragedy looming in his future. Drawn to him in unexpected ways, Celeste must decide if she can save him from the darkness, or let him perish with the rest. As Celeste battles between love, loyalty, and the desire for vengeance, she faces a final question: will she remain the person she was before and let her new life take its course? Or will she let the hurt of her past turn her heart cold? After all, what better vengeance than to come back with the heart of a shark? -------- Disclaimer: The story begins with Celeste's first life— so please stay tuned because it will be worth it!

In a world ruled by astrology, every citizen is bound to their zodiac sign. The Celestial Order ensures that no one questions their fate. Until Celeste Orion does. Born under the Air Dominion, she should have been a visionary, a scholar-a loyal servant of the stars. But when she uncovers a forbidden truth hidden deep in the archives, she realizes she was never meant to be an Aquarius at all. Celeste is forced into exile. But when a deadly Scorpio assassin, Kieran Vael, spares her life instead of ending it, she is thrust into a rebellion she never expected, and also, forbidden love.

"Stuck..." by Lapis L. Lazuli --Timeframe: 3218 --Stage: Andromeda Galaxy, Planet Alpha Four astronauts—Graham Young, Celeste Wong, Jennifer Cross, and Michael Forrest—blast off to Planet Alpha, a last-ditch shot at saving a bloated, broken Earth choking on 32 billion souls. Tech’s slick, hope’s thin, and Michael’s the odd man out: a quiet, brooding pessimist/realist who’d rather sleep than play hero. They’re hunting a new home, but when their ship vanishes, leaving nothing but a hole in the ground behind, and buzzsaw traps start snapping, Alpha turns into a spatial meat grinder. Graham’s charisma can’t save him, Celeste’s grit hits a wall, and Jennifer’s just trying to keep herself together while Michael’s calm cracks into something... else. "Stuck..." kicks off a sprawling lore asking “What is Humanity?”—not with grand answers, but with a cold, hard look at the wreckage. Is it the evil that festers, the good that fades, or the mess in between? This ain’t a fairy tale; it’s a bloody warning.

A commander (Leon) claim to be the son of blue flame despite the rumour going on, but also among the blue flame hidden in humans world by not using his powers in develop modern part of the human world. A prince, rumored to be the son of blue flame. He is the definition of Danger. He is the Darkness itself. A princess. Imprisoned in her own home, only to come out once she gets married. But married to whom? *** Once upon a time, the blue flame fell in love with one of the King's many wives. One night he went to her room disguised as her husband and made love to her. She got pregnant with his child. Knowing this The King ordered her execution believing his wife cheated on him, but then the blue flame appeared to the king making him a deal. In exchange for great power for his Kingdom, the King will let his wife Sire The blue flame's Child. The King who was greedy for power agrees to the deal and his Kingdom becomes one of the most powerful Kingdoms and the blue flame's Child Nyxion, the seventh Prince of the Kingdom. Being a princess probably sounds nice. A life full of luxury, beautiful dresses and nice shoes, but for Celeste, there is nothing nice about being a princess. She can never go outside the palace, she can never have friends, she can never eat or say or wear whatever she wants and she can never choose the person she is going to marry. Soon she's getting married to a man she has never met, a prince rumored to be Son of the blue flame (Nyxion). Betsy who accepts Rodney to stay with him not knowing who he is but Rodney knows she is among the red flames too she later finds out after a dream. Rodney who took the blue flame sword later came back to Leon to make him stronger by bringing him to the red flames world which he doesn't know about but his father knows about it but decided to train on human world for being the one to receive the power on the sword knowing full well he is not the owner but among his power lines of red flames.

About the Book After a thousand years in Hell, Dracula returns to a city that no longer belongs to him. His former servant, Lucius, has seized power, ruling with an iron grip and wielding an unnatural strength that Dracula cannot match. To reclaim his throne, Dracula must do the unthinkable—ally with his greatest enemy. Enter Celeste, the White Alpha Queen, a ruler as feared as she is powerful. Bound by a fragile truce, they form a dangerous pact to overthrow Lucius, but hidden agendas and dark secrets threaten to tear their alliance apart. With enemies closing in and an ancient war reigniting, Dracula and Celeste must decide: can they trust each other, or will their own ambitions destroy them first? Power. Betrayal. Desire. In a city where the lines between love and war are blurred, only one ruler will survive.

Shin Kurose was an ordinary high school student—until the night he found himself standing in the middle of an unfamiliar medieval city, drenched in blood that wasn’t his own. Moments later, a dagger slid between his ribs, and his world faded to black. Then, he woke up. Trapped in the kingdom of Eryndell, Shin discovers that every time he dies, he is forcibly rewound to a fixed point in the past. But this ability comes with a cruel cost—each death leaves behind Echoes, haunting fragments of his suffering that warp reality around him. Worse still, he soon learns that his rewinds are limited, and when they run out, his death will be final. As he struggles to survive in a world where betrayal lurks in every shadow, Shin crosses paths with Celeste Valenforth, a runaway noble who carries a forbidden secret—the truth behind the Cycle of Ruin, an ancient curse that has doomed countless souls before him. With assassins, inquisitors, and wraiths hunting them at every turn, Shin must uncover the hidden forces controlling his fate before he becomes just another forgotten Echo in history. But with each loop, the world twists in unpredictable ways. Allies become enemies. Deaths grow more agonizing. And the deeper he delves, the more he realizes—this world has already been destroyed once before. How do you defeat fate when it has already won?

He waited years to make her his. Now, she belongs to him—whether she wants to or not. Celeste Carter is desperate for a fresh start. Struggling to survive in New York, she seizes the opportunity to work at Vale Enterprises—one of the most powerful corporations in the world. But she has no idea that stepping into Lucian Vale’s empire is the worst mistake she could make. Lucian Vale isn’t just a ruthless billionaire—he’s a man with a vendetta. And Celeste? She’s the best friend of Ana Monroe, the woman who betrayed him. She doesn’t recognize him, but he’s been watching her for years, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The job offer was a trap. The contract? A cage. And Lucian? He’s no longer the broken boy she once knew—he’s a man who gets what he wants. Now, Celeste is caught in his web, torn between the man who claims to hate her and the undeniable pull between them. But when the truth unravels, she realizes too late… Lucian doesn’t just want revenge. He wants her. And he won’t stop until she belongs to him.

Never is her wildest dream would Celeste Takashiro have imagined her mental disorder could be the key to saving a world on the brink of destruction. When she is transmigrated into the body of a celestial goddess, her journey becomes one of transformation as she cultivates her new found abilities alongside her long time friend, whom may or may not be guilty for the assault of dozens of women and girls in this new world. Nonetheless, Celeste must find it in herself to save a world she doesn't belong to, if she ever wants to return home.

What is Trichotillomania? To break it down it means, trich- ("hair"), tillein ("to pull or pluck"), and -mania ("madness"). An obsessive compulsive disorder that's can keep one from living the life they desire. It truly is a madness. This is the madness Celeste had to cope with on a daily basis. It controlled every aspect of her life. On days that the madness consumed her, life felt miserable and every thought was consumed by what others might think of her. If she ever felt anxious or overwhelmed the first thing she would do was pull. It was truly an exhausting existence. But when the world comes to an end her Trichotillomania becomes her greatest strength and everything in her life changes.

Clouds are mist in the eyes of Immortals...... The divine gaze kept as the witness by the weavers of destiny brings forth judgement upon the crown of Celeste. Yet the rising waves and breaking tides in the sea of stars are all but a drop of tear in her eyes. A journey of eons through three realms, when the overseer peers through the haze in those eyes........ What does she find? This is the tale of the Overseer journeying through three realms as she redefines the fate that belongs to her and her destiny.

There was no other choice. He lives alone, he's underaged, and most severely, his money was running short. If there was anything the internet had to say about the game, it's that it could solve all of his problems if he just gave it a chance. [Stars of Gerhana] [Welcome to the world of Eclipse! Meet your friends, enemies, partners, and pets! Explore the wide world and find out its secrets! Engage in cities, kingdoms, and even nations! Make your mark in the world!] [Update 7.2.45b] "That was too close of a call! I appreciate it. "... "You're one hell of a friend. "... "Whenever we get out of this situation, I'll help you with that thing you keep seeing in your dreams. But for now, I'm just lucky to have you on my side, Celeste. "

Rejected. Humiliated. Broken. When Celeste’s fated mate betrayed her for a stronger she-wolf, she lost everything—her home, her status, her dignity. Cast aside as weak, she had no choice but to leave the only life she had ever known. But fate wasn’t done with her. Taken in by a powerful Alpha feared across the packs, Celeste’s suffering should have ended. Instead, it was only the beginning. Her body burned with an unbearable pain, her mind tormented by visions of something ancient—something terrifying. She was changing, evolving into something out of legend. A wolf that shouldn’t exist. As whispers of prophecy swirl around her, her ex-mate begins to regret his choice. But Celeste is no longer the helpless woman he left behind. And this time, she’s not alone. Her second-chance mate is nothing like the first—ruthless, powerful, and utterly unwavering in his devotion. But with enemies in the shadows, a past that refuses to let go, and a woman who believes she is entitled to the Alpha by Celeste’s side, survival will take more than just strength. It will take strategy. It will take revenge. And when the time comes, Celeste will show them all that what remains after heartbreak… is something far more dangerous.

Tanya Edom's position as the Crown Princess is revoked by her fiance, Crown Prince Malek, and she is replaced by his lover, Lady Celeste. Tanya was head over heels in love with the Prince and wanted to become an Empress worthy of him more than anything. She did everything she could to impress him but her efforts failed to draw his attention in the end Devasted, Tanya doesn't know what to do, all her life she'd been working toward becoming the future Empress of the Empire, and now her dream had been taken away. However, after overhearing palace servants gossiping about her demotion, she realizes that her obsession with the prince and being Empress are dreams she should put to rest and try to do something else with her life. Doing so leads her to get warped up in a conspiracy concerning the crown. She ends up helping the Imperial Army solve a mystery concerning mysterious letters being sent across the empire.

When Special Agent Celeste Carter goes undercover to infiltrate the deadly DeLuca crime syndicate, she never expects to find herself drawn to the enigmatic and dangerous Adrian Russo—the heir to the empire she’s sworn to take down. As she gains his trust, their game of cat and mouse turns into something far more dangerous: an undeniable connection neither of them can ignore. But when a shocking revelation shakes the foundation of everything they believed, Celeste and Adrian must choose between duty and desire, loyalty and betrayal—before the truth destroys them both.

Important Note: This book is a slowburn romance with themes of trafficking, bloodshed, murder, and explicit content. Parental guidance is strongly advised. *** All her life, Celeste Caddell has been nothing more than a pawn in her own family's cruel games. Just when she thought she’d seen it all, she’s sold to a notorious trafficking syndicate, where she’s auctioned off to the highest bidder. To her surprise, that bidder is Nicolai Cassano, a powerful and ruthless mafia lord with his own agenda. Nicolai doesn’t offer Celeste pity or kindness—he offers her a deal: in exchange for her submissiveness, he will grant her the two things she craves most: revenge on those who wronged her, and the freedom she’s never known. What begins as a temporary alliance fueled by shared desire for vengeance begins to ignite into something more. But as their connection deepens, both Celeste and Nicolai must face the cost of their choices—an alliance that was supposed to be fleeting may change everything they thought they wanted. *** Excerpt: “You have two choices, kitty,” Nicolai’s voice was sharp, filled with power. “Take what I’m giving when I’m giving it, or go back to the syndicate.” Celeste’s blood turned to ice at the mention of the syndicate. Two nights in that hellhole had been enough to show her that there was no going back. Could she really let him return her there? Without hesitation, she shook her head. “One year, right? I’ll do it.” Nicolai scoffed. “Just as I thought, kitty. Just as I thought.” Celeste lowered her gaze, fighting back the tears. Deep down, she knew she was making a deal with the devil. But in this twisted game, she had no other choice. Either this, or nothing.

Monstrous creatures awaken form the depths of the earth devouring all humans. In an attempt exterminate, Lion's Brigade, an elite group of soldiers was formed with Civilians forced to play the role of soldiers in battle. Celest Fairburn was thrown into the Lion's brigade by her parent out of Favour for her twin sister, Lucy. How will she survive in this new life where taking risks is an everyday job and what kind of people will she meet with her Pet wolf or should I say Husband.

it's story of pro gamer who lost her prime as gamer. and got send to another world. after dying.. --------------------------------------------------------

The Apocalypse is in full swing. Defiled - powerful creatures corrupted by the Great Collision - prowled the lands in search of prey. Unfortunately for them, the human race had long since retreated behind the secure walls of the Sanctuary of Everlast. During one of his regular excursions outside the Sanctuary, Alden is separated from Celeste. - his childhood friend and crush. In that moment, he came to regret never summoning the courage to confess. Somehow managing to survive thanks to some trickery, Alden awakens as a mage. Instead of receiving a normal power, he gains the ability to decay. What's more, during his ascension, he received a vision from his future self advising him not to trust the Asterons - celestial beings who had saved his race from inescapable doom. Normally... such a revelation wouldn’t faze Alden. However, there was only one major problem with the declaration, though. Celeste was bound with an Asteron. And not just any normal Asteron... She had made a pact with one of the Divine Sovereigns. ________ Cover is not mine. I found it on Pinterest. Link to discord server: https://discord.gg/VPEtsc4c

In a world where power, loyalty, and betrayal intertwine, Gabriel "Gabe" Cruz Madrigal serves as the trusted consigliere of the notorious Madrigal mafia family, living a double life as a business consultant for the influential Ortega family. His world is one of calculated moves and hidden motives, where trust is a luxury he cannot afford. Celeste Ortega, the hidden adopted daughter of the Ortega family and heiress to a vast conglomerate, has lived a life of privilege, unaware of the dark secrets her family keeps. When Gabe crosses paths with her, sparks fly, but they are both bound by the complexities of family obligations and dangerous loyalties. What starts as a business relationship soon becomes a slow-burn romance, tangled in a web of deception, love, and power. As Gabe and Celeste's connection deepens, their families' rivalries threaten everything they hold dear. Gabe finds himself caught between his duty to the Madrigals, his growing love for Celeste, and the realization that not everything is as it seems. With trust broken and alliances shifting, Gabe must navigate treacherous waters where every decision could cost him everything. Meanwhile, Celeste discovers the hidden truths about her own family and the price of wealth and power. In a story where loyalty is tested, love is both a weapon and a weakness, and betrayal is always lurking in the shadows, Gabe and Celeste must decide: can love conquer the darkness, or will it tear them apart? As secrets unfold and rivalries come to a head, their world will never be the same again.

When preservationist Celeste Carter is hired to oversee the restoration of the historic Fairmont Theater, she expects a battle with real estate developer Adrian Hawthorne—not a descent into a decades-old mystery. The once-grand theatre holds a dark past, tied to a devastating fire in 1948 that killed a young actress named Evelyn Ross. The official story claims it was an accident. But the deeper Celeste digs, the more she realizes that someone is desperate to keep the truth buried. Strange occurrences at the Fairmont—ghostly whispers, missing records, and a mysterious informant—convince Celeste that Evelyn’s spirit is trying to communicate. When anonymous threats escalate into physical attacks, she and Adrian uncover a sinister conspiracy that dates back to the theatre’s original owner, Nathaniel Wren. But Wren wasn’t the only one involved. Powerful men in Port Bellingham conspired to cover up the truth—and some of them are still alive. With danger closing in, Celeste and Adrian must navigate a maze of deception, corruption, and long-buried secrets. If they expose the past, they could bring justice to Evelyn after seventy-five years. But someone is willing to do anything to stop them. And the Fairmont isn’t the only place haunted by its history.

In the fading village of Downtown, the Beaulieu estate looms as a somber relic of its oppressive history. Katherine Gomez, a determined young archivist who graduated with a first grade in law, arrives with plans to organize the estate’s records, believing it to be a straightforward task. One fateful day as she was searching the estate records in the community library, she discovered a hidden door to a secret study room which has been closed for years,she discovers letters from the 1800s penned by Celeste, an enslaved woman, revealing a shocking secret: she had a child with her captor, hidden to protect the family’s name. Katherine findings unravel the town’s long-held beliefs and bring her into contact with Lucien Beaulieu, the estate’s reclusive heir, weighed down by the guilt of his lineage. As they work together to uncover the truth, their differing perspectives create both conflict and undeniable chemistry. Meanwhile, someone desperate to protect the past resorts to sabotage and threats, endangering their lives and the village’s future. In a countryside overshadowed by the decaying Beaulieu estate, Katherine quest to give voice to history forces her to confront the estate’s eerie secrets and its lonely guardian, Lucien. Driven by guilt, Lucien isolates himself, tending to the estate while avoiding its buried truths. Katherine determination challenges his solitude, sparking tension that gradually gives way to a deep connection.