An awkward silence descended on the corridor after Drakon left. Celeste didn't quite know how to act now that she stood alone with Alden again.
Should she put on a fake, easygoing smile and pretend like everything was alright?
It clearly wasn't.
Should she plaster on a cold expression and let the emptiness in her heart come to the fore?
That would only make her feel more bitter.
So, instead, Celeste opted for neither. She settled for staring at the vast crimson pool that was Alden's good eye, and allowed herself a moment to get lost in their captivating depth. She let her mind roam, conjuring images of a future where her lover did not break up with her.
Of a future where her heart would ache, not from pain, but from sheer joy and warmth, close to bursting from much she loved her other half. Of a future where she would grow old, experiencing a lifetime with him by her side.
Unfortunately for Celeste, reality was harsh.
It was also cruel.
But most of all…
It was cold.
