She pulled her hand away from his and walked on ahead, alone.
Philip forced down the surge of emotion and caught up to her. At this hour there were no travelers around, but a few breakfast joints had opened for the locals.
A bucket of dirty dishwater was dumped onto the street, oily flecks glinting in the morning light.
Philip wrinkled his nose and sidestepped it, instinctively reaching out to draw Celeste to his side.
“It’s a special day, you know. Once we get our marriage certificate, I’ll take you out for lobster–why do we have to eat here?”
He’d brought her to every single spot on this street, more times than he could
count.
Back then, he’d pedal his old bike, a fresh burger clamped between his teeth, weaving through the laughter and chatter of the neighborhood.
Philip had been nothing but the overlooked illegitimate son of Silvercrest’s wealthiest man. No connections, no money, no one who cared to notice him.
Nova International had changed all that, making him the undisputed heir of the Robertson family. He was now second only to the patriarch–everyone knew his
name.
But somewhere along the way, he’d forgotten where he came from. And the promises he’d made to her.
“I just want to eat this today.”
Her sudden stubbornness caught Philip off guard.
He’d raised this girl for over a decade–she was spoiled and full of life, but her world always revolved around him.
When had that changed? He remembered that night at the old house: the Celeste he once knew would never have embarrassed him in front of the Robertson family. No
one understood better what mattered to him.
Sitting on a rickety wooden bench, Celeste ordered two burgers and two soda
Philip took the fork she handed him, feeling a hollowness grow inside.
“Celly, I had Chase take Viola away this morning. From now on, it’ll just be us in that
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vuse, like before!
In his world, she was always free to do as she pleased. She belonged to him nothing would ever change that.
It would never change. It couldn’t.
“Let’s eat, then we’ll head straight to city hall.”
Philip sounded impatient.
Celeste’s heart trembled painfully.
Like before? Really?
Suddenly, his phone rang, loud and abrupt.
He’d set that ringtone just for Viola. There’d been a time Viola called during an asthma attack, and Philip, phone on silent, missed it. He’d spent that night outside her hospital room, wracked with guilt, tearing at his hair.
That was the first time Celeste saw Philip truly care for another woman.
“Go ahead. Answer it,” she said, keeping her gaze on her food.
Philip stared at her pale face, nerves tight as the ringtone pierced the air. With a heavy sigh, he picked up.
“Viola, I can’t leave today. If you need anything, call Chase and let him-”
But it was Chase’s voice on the other end.
“Mr. Robertson, Miss Viola’s been working in the conservatory all morning, trying not to upset Miss Duncan. Her asthma got worse but she refused to rest. She passed out and we’ve just rushed her to the ER. She wouldn’t let me call you, but her condition isn’t good.”
Philip’s expression darkened instantly.
“I’m on my way.”
He hung up and looked at Celeste, his eyes cooling.
“I’ll have the garden fixed just the way you want. Was it really worth making Viola suffer over something so trivial? We’ll get the license another day.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away.
For the second time, in the very same place, he left Celeste standing alone.
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On the very day he’d promised to marry her.
She watched his retreating figure, but felt strangely numb,
She used to wonder if she were sick, would Philip finally treat her the same as Viola?
But why should she have to?
The man who claimed to love her, who broke his vow again and again–he wasn’t worth it.
The steam from her burger stung her eyes, but she ate quietly, finished her meal, and walked the streets she wanted to walk. Then she went back to the hotel, picked up her suitcase, and headed straight for the airport.
WAT EERST
Chapter 15
