Chapter 29
Celeste recoiled at the touch of Philip’s hand, as if something filthy had brushed against her skin.
With a sharp yank, she broke free from his grasp.
Disgust clouded her eyes, darker and deeper with every passing second.
“Philip, stop pretending. You’ve trampled on my feelings over and over again, like they meant nothing. And now you think this ridiculous, belated ring will fix everything? No chance!”
Her words hit him like a sledgehammer to the chest, leaving him unsteady on his
feet.
He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat, strangled by guilt and desperation.
He wanted to say something, anything, to make it right.
But in the face of Celeste’s righteous anger and icy resolve, every excuse sounded empty–even to himself.
All around them, the waiters and hired guests stared in shock, frozen by the sudden
turn of events.
The once–bustling, romantic proposal scene had fallen utterly silent.
Celeste drew a slow, steadying breath, her gaze cold and resolute.
“If you have any sense at all, you’ll stop bothering me.”
Without another word, she turned and strode away.
Her back was straight, her steps unwavering–every stride declaring to Philip that there was nothing left between them.
Philip stood rooted to the spot, his heart squeezed so tightly it hurt to breathe.
Until just now, he’d truly believed Celly would never leave him.
But at this moment, he felt it–felt the loss of the girl who used to look at him as if he were her whole world, who would have given him everything. He’d pushed her away with his own hands.
She was gone. And she wouldn’t come back.
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No. He couldn’t accept that.
Celly had to be his. She was his and his alone.
Only when Celeste stepped out of the hotel and the cold night air filled her lungs did she feel alive again.
Her fingers still trembled uncontrollably.
She headed straight for a nearby convenience store, bought a bottle of cold water, and tried to compose herself.
In a little while, she had to meet Alfred and his grandfather. She couldn’t show up looking a mess.
Come to think of it…
After agreeing to help a colleague with a business meeting, she’d texted Alfred the hotel address. He’d said he’d pick her up on his way… He should be here soon.
She had no idea that barely a minute after she slipped into the store, Philip had
rushed out after her.
“Where did she go?!”
He stood on the sidewalk, clutching the ring box, lost.
In just a few days, Celeste seemed like a completely different person.
Where had he gone wrong?
As he stood there in confusion, Alfred’s car pulled up to the curb. Alfred stepped out in a crisp suit, catching sight of Philip’s dazed expression and frowning slightly. Celeste was supposed to be here for a business meeting. Why was Philip here too? Alfred’s face turned cold. He was about to look away when Philip hurried over.
“Mr. Alfred?”
An unexpected bonus. He hadn’t imagined he’d meet someone from the Hopkins family here.
Suppressing his worry for Celeste, Philip greeted Alfred with forced enthusiasm, exchanging business cards.
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Alfred barely glanced at him, checked his watch, and said coolly, “Sorry, I have another appointment.”
“My apologies for interrupting. If you ever have any Silvercrest projects in the future, please feel free to reach out.”
Philip stepped back at just the right moment.
Alfred’s eyes grew even colder.
“Just got married recently. No time for new projects.”
“I see. Congratulations, Mr. Alfred. Wishing you a long and happy marriage.”
Knowing this was not the time to push his luck, Philip turned to leave.
Just then, Celeste emerged from the convenience store, her eyes meeting Philip’s.
Of all people, it had to be him.
“Celly…”
Philip’s face lit up. He took a hopeful step toward her.
