The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126: 126: Hope

THIRD PERSON POV

Roselle follows closely behind Celeste, her aching body protesting every step as they make their way through the servants’ quarters. Questions swirl relentlessly through her mind, but one look at Celeste’s frantic expression tells her now isn’t the time to ask them.

Celeste finally stops in front of a tiny room tucked away at the far end of the corridor. She hurriedly pushes the door open and gestures for Roselle to come inside before quickly shutting it behind them.

The room is barely large enough for one person.

A narrow bed occupies most of the space, leaving just enough room for a small wooden table and a single chair pushed against the wall.

Roselle’s eyes instinctively drift toward the bed.

Her entire body freezes.

Nikolai lies motionless on the mattress, his clothes still stained with dried blood. The sheets beneath him are completely soaked, and droplets of water continue falling from his hair onto the blanket below.

Roselle slowly turns to look at Celeste, disbelief written all over her face.

When she was only five years old and had lost her father, she remembered praying every single night that he’d somehow come back to life. She remembered refusing to believe he was gone and convincing herself he’d walk through the front door if she waited long enough.

But she had been a child.

She never imagined Celeste would cling to hope with the same desperate intensity.

"Celeste..." Roselle says softly, choosing her words carefully as she steps closer. "I know this hurts."

Celeste doesn’t answer.

She kneels beside the bed, gently brushing the damp strands of hair away from Nikolai’s forehead before carefully tucking the blanket higher around him.

"You’ve been crying for hours," Roselle continues quietly. "You haven’t eaten... you haven’t rested... and you’re exhausting yourself."

Celeste’s hand never leaves Nikolai’s.

"You should try to get some sleep," Roselle says, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Even if it’s only for a little while."

Celeste immediately shakes her head.

"No."

Her answer comes so quickly that Roselle blinks.

"Celeste..."

"No," Celeste repeats, this time looking up at her with tear-filled but determined eyes. "Don’t look at me like I’m crazy, because I’m not."

Roselle remains silent.

"I know exactly what you’re thinking," Celeste says as she slowly rises to her feet. "You think I’ve lost my mind because I can’t accept that he’s gone."

Her voice trembles, but her conviction never wavers.

"But I’m telling you the truth."

She presses a hand firmly against her chest.

"Nikolai isn’t dead."

Roselle opens her mouth to speak, but Celeste cuts her off before she can.

She looks back at Nikolai, tears threatening to spill again.

"If he were truly dead, I wouldn’t feel anything."

Celeste slowly intertwines her fingers with his cold hand.

"So no... I’m not insane. He’s still here, and I’m going to prove it."

Roselle lets out a quiet sigh as she looks at Celeste’s tear-streaked face. Deep down, she knows nothing she says will change her mind, and forcing the issue now will only hurt her even more.

She gently squeezes Celeste’s shoulder before taking a small step back, silently deciding to stay with her instead of arguing.

The room falls into a heavy silence. Only the faint sound of water dripping from Nikolai’s damp clothes breaks the stillness.

Then... A finger twitches.

Celeste’s eyes narrows toward Nikolai’s hand.

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