Submitting to my Ex Uncle-Chapter 199

Celeste knocked once on Amara’s door.

Her knuckles rapped softly against the polished wood. She waited, then knocked again when no answer came.

Her eyes scanned her surroundings. Her chest still carried the exhaustion of the day. Work had demanded more than her fair share of energy, but the heaviness wasn’t what drove her here.

She needed to see Amara. She needed her laughter, her warmth, and her grounding presence. She already told Dominic she’d spend the night with Amara.

She wanted to spend time with her best friend. Even with Dominic in her life, there was no medicine more preferable than the presence of Amara.

Just as Celeste was about to knock again, the door creaked open.

"Celeste?" Amara’s voice rose in surprise, and then her eyes widened fully. "Oh my God. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?"

Before Celeste could reply, Amara tugged her inside and pulled her into a fierce hug. The embrace was warm, and almost suffocating in the best way.

Amara always hugged as if she was afraid to lose her, as if holding on tighter could keep the world from taking Celeste away.

Celeste let herself sink into the hug. Her lips curved faintly at the corner. It was rare to be held like this, without calculation, and without expectation. Just love. Amara was her first love.

When Amara finally pulled back, her eyes immediately scanned Celeste from head to toe. Her fingers brushed her cheek, tugged at her sleeve, and adjusted a strand of hair as though checking for signs of wear and tear.

Celeste couldn’t help it. She laughed softly. "You’re inspecting me like I’m breakable."

"You are. I haven’t seen you for a week now." Amara retorted, though her tone carried affection, not accusation. "And don’t smile at me like that. You’re thinner. Have you even been sleeping?"

Celeste shook her head, amused, but didn’t argue. Instead, she let the smile linger, soaking in the amount of attention.

Her gaze wandered around the cozy living room. It smelled faintly of jasmine and vanilla, like Amara’s favorite candles. A blanket was folded neatly on the couch, and a half-finished mug of tea sat abandoned on the coffee table, with a laptop and some papers laying around.

The life of a writer!

"Where’s Elias?" Celeste asked casually, though the question held more weight than she let on. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Amara stilled for a fraction of a second. Then her lips pressed into a line. She exhaled slowly, lowering herself onto the couch as if preparing for something heavy.

"I sent him away," she said at last.

Celeste arched a brow, stepping closer. "Away? Just like that?" she questioned.

Amara’s mouth twitched with something caught between bitterness and relief. "Just for a few days. Or maybe longer. He might come back..." Her gaze flickered toward the window, as though searching for shadows. "But I won’t be the one calling him back."

Celeste lowered herself onto the couch beside her, with her brows knitting together. "Why?"

Amara looked around the room, as if the walls themselves might overhear. Her hand fidgeted with the edge of the blanket. Finally, she leaned in close and whispered.

"He had a gun in my closet." Her words came out with disbelief. She still couldn’t believe it.

Celeste’s breath hitched softly, but she stayed composed.

Amara’s voice broke the silence again. Her voice came out firmer this time, as though repeating it would make her less crazy. "He brought a gun into my house, Celeste. My house."

Celeste frowned, though she forced the motion into something subtle. She nodded once, a quiet acknowledgment, though her mind already pieced together the larger picture.

She knew where this was coming from, what it connected back to, and the undercurrent of Dominic’s world that Elias had dragged with him.

However, she didn’t tell Amara any of it. She couldn’t, at least not now. Protecting her meant silence, until she was relaxed enough to take the news.

Celeste reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Then you did the right thing, sending him away."

Amara searched her face, waiting for more. She waited for an explanation, a judgment, or even, a reassurance. Even a ’I told you so,’. Rather, Celeste gave her none, only quiet steadiness.

"Come on," Celeste said after a beat, forcing her voice into a lighter softness. "Let’s stay in tonight. Just us. We’ll pile onto the couch, order junk food, maybe destroy a tub of ice cream, and watch whatever trashy movie you’re in the mood for."

Amara blinked, then let out a shaky laugh. "You’re serious?"

"I am dead serious." Celeste squeezed her hand again, softer this time. "It’s been too long since we had a night that was just... us."

Amara smiled weakly, the tension in her shoulders eased. "God, I’ve missed you."

"And I’m here now," Celeste said, with a quiet smile. "Also, this would be a sleepover. Dominic already knows."

Amara’s eyes widened. "He knows? And he agreed?"

Celeste nodded, her lips quirking. "Well... let’s just say, I told him, not asked him. You should’ve seen his face." She giggled.

Amara laughed, and some of the heaviness around her chest seemed to lift. "You’re really fearless with him."

"Someone has to be," Celeste teased, leaning back against the couch. "He needs balance. And apparently, I’m the only one insane enough to provide it."

Amara tucked her legs beneath her, curling into the couch like she always did when comfort slowly returned. Her gaze softened as it lingered on Celeste. "And you, how are you? Really?"

Celeste hesitated, then gave a small shrug. "I’m... navigating."

She raised a brow. "Which is the code for what?"

"For... life being more complicated than I can unpack in a sentence." She gave a wry smile. "But tonight isn’t for that. Tonight is for movies, and popcorn, and me stealing your pillows."

Amara narrowed her eyes playfully. "You always steal the pillows."

Celeste huffed out a soft laugh. "That’s because I’m tiny, and need something to balance myself with."