The sun was setting behind the pines, casting golden light across the estate, the kind of late-afternoon haze that made everything feel cinematic—slow, luxurious, charged.
Maddie stood barefoot on the balcony in nothing but a slate-gray silk robe, loosely knotted, hair tousled by the breeze, eyes fixed on the sleek black car pulling up the long gravel driveway.
The house had been quiet for most of the day. Too quiet. Ever since the hallway moment with Lucien and Vanessa’s early-morning disappearance into her own wing, things had gone… still.
And then, like a knife through silk—
She arrived.
A tall woman stepped from the back of the car, heels sharp and deliberate, platinum-blonde hair swept into a tight chignon that gleamed like silver in the sunlight. Her black trench coat hugged her curves like a tailored threat. Red lipstick. Dark sunglasses. No smile.
Celeste.
She didn’t need to say a word. You could smell her intention from the front gate.
Maddie descended the stairs slow, every step deliberate. By the time she reached the marble foyer, Vanessa was already there—posture tense, expression unreadable. She’d thrown on a black wrap dress, hair freshly brushed but not styled. No makeup. No jewelry.
Interesting.
The front door opened.
Celeste stepped in like she’d never left. Her heels clicked on the floor like punctuation marks.
“Still addicted to marble, I see,” she said without looking around.
Vanessa straightened. “It holds up better than men.”
Celeste took off her glasses.
Cold blue eyes.
She looked older than Maddie—but barely. Late thirties, maybe. But with a presence so commanding she could’ve passed for royalty.
And yet…
When her eyes landed on Maddie—
They didn’t leave.
Not for a full ten seconds.
She looked her up and down.
The robe. The bare legs. The bare feet.
The power.
“You must be Maddie,” she said finally, voice like polished obsidian.
Maddie stepped forward, unbothered.
“And you must be from Vanessa’s deleted files.”
Vanessa hissed through her teeth.
Celeste laughed.
A low, rich sound that dripped with challenge.
“She’s sharp,” she said, eyes never leaving Maddie’s. “But are you dangerous?”
Maddie didn’t blink.
“Depends on the game.”
“And the prize?”
“Already mine.”
The air crackled.
Celeste stepped close, stopping just shy of touch.
She smelled of tobacco leaf and expensive perfume. Her gaze didn’t waver.
“Careful, girl. I’ve eaten girls like you for breakfast.”
Maddie smiled, slow and merciless.
“Then I guess you’ve never been fed properly.”
Vanessa watched from behind them like a storm building. Torn between thrill and dread.
“Celeste came for a few days,” she said tightly, as if trying to regain control. “She’ll be staying in the east guest suite.”
Maddie didn’t turn around.
“No she won’t.”
Vanessa blinked.
Celeste raised a brow.
Maddie walked toward her slowly, brushing her shoulder as she passed. “She’ll stay in the tower room. Top floor. Corner window. Best view of the pool.” She looked back. “That way she can watch the house she doesn’t own anymore.”
Celeste said nothing.
But her smile was… dangerous.
Later that night, dinner was set on the terrace.
The air had cooled. Crickets sang. Torches flickered.
Maddie wore an emerald-green slip dress, sheer at the sides, nothing beneath. She sat at the head of the table this time—an unspoken rearrangement nobody dared question.
Vanessa sipped her wine silently.
Lucien brooded, stealing glances like he didn’t know who to be anymore.
Cole wasn’t present—off at some investor dinner in the city.
But Celeste?
Celeste had changed into a white linen blouse unbuttoned just enough to hint, paired with black slacks and stilettos sharp enough to kill. Her hair was down now. She looked like a Bond villain on holiday.
And she never took her eyes off Maddie.
Maddie didn’t mind.
She ate slowly.
Licked the oil from her fingers.
Sipped her wine like it was foreplay.
And every time Celeste leaned in to speak, Maddie leaned back—just enough to say not yet.
Dessert was served.
Celeste spoke first.
“You know, Maddie,” she said, voice smooth, “Vanessa never did like being beneath anyone. Until me.”
Vanessa’s fork froze.
Maddie smiled without looking up.
“Then I guess I finished what you started.”
Celeste smirked.
“So it’s true.”
“She begged.” Maddie took a slow sip of wine. “Said my name more times than her own.”
A hush fell over the table.
Vanessa said nothing.
Lucien’s jaw clenched.
And Celeste?
Celeste grinned.
“I like you.”
“You should.”
“But I didn’t come here to like you.”
“No?”
“I came here to see what happens when someone finally makes you beg.”
The table tensed.
Maddie didn’t flinch.
She stood, slow, tall and glowing in the moonlight.
She walked over to Celeste. Leaned down. One hand resting lightly on the older woman’s shoulder.
“You can try, darling,” Maddie whispered. “But I don’t break.”
She kissed her cheek, soft and lingering.
And walked away.
Everyone watched her go.
Every one of them wondering the same thing:
What happens when the woman at the center of everything… is no longer afraid of any of them?
XOXO
Maddie’s Page