“So this is the family you want to go back to? The Duncans?” Philip’s voice rang out–he’d been listening outside the whole time. “Your stepmother is obviously up to something, and your relatives are either blind or pretending not to see it. And look at the way they treat you…”
He grabbed her arm. “Don’t stay here, Celeste. Come with me. I’ll help you deal with them!”
But Celeste shook off his hand with a hard slap. “Don’t flatter yourself! I don’t need your help I just need you to stay the hell away from me!”
Without a backward glance, Celeste strode out of the chapel and headed straight down the hill.
She clutched her mother’s memorial plaque to her chest, stumbling over the uneven path as she made her way down the mountain road.
At the bottom, she stepped onto the wide main street and pulled out her phone to call a cab.
A car horn sounded.
She looked up to see Alfred’s Bentley parked by the curb, the window rolled down. The driver waved to her.
“Mr. Alfred had business to attend to, but he asked me to wait here for you.”
Celeste’s nose stung as exhaustion crept up her legs; her arms ached from holding the plaque so tightly. She never imagined anyone would actually wait for her here.
She nodded and walked toward the car.
Just a few steps away.
Philip appeared, coming down the mountain path behind her. When he saw her about to get in, his face darkened.
“I’ll take you. Don’t just get into some stranger’s car.”
He stepped squarely in front of her, blocking her path.
After being stopped by Philip over and over today, Celeste’s patience snapped. Her eyes turned icy cold.
“Did you already forget the slap I just gave you? Who I get in the car with is none of your business.”
17:14 T
“Celly, after thirteen years together, does that count for nothing?”
Philip leaned in, lowering himself so they were eye–to–eye, his gaze softening with emotion. “Let me take you home. Please. Out here in the middle of nowhere, who knows whose car that is or where they’ll take you?”
“No need.”
Celeste brushed past him.
Even so, Philip grabbed her wrist.
“Philip, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I want to take you home myself, Celly. Whatever’s wrong, we can talk it out in private. Your father and stepmother are still up there–they’ll come looking for soon. How are you going to handle them on your own?”
Philip’s voice was gentle, but he refused to let go.
Celeste laughed, cold and sharp.
“Save your devotion for Viola. Why are you still bothering me?”
you
She jabbed the words right where it hurt, watching his expression falter for a split second–just enough time to wrench her hand free.
She’d barely taken two steps.
A taxi pulled up to the curb.
Viola stepped out, looking pale and fragile. When she caught sight of Philip holding Celeste’s hand, a flash of jealousy flickered in her eyes.
She leaned against the car door, breathless but determined. “Celeste, Philip’s really worried about you. He even came all the way to the Duncans‘ chapel just to see you.”
“While you’ve been gone, Philip hasn’t slept a single night. I’ve been the one staying up with him till morning…”
Viola’s voice was full of tender sincerity.
Philip nodded in agreement. “See, even Viola knows how much I care about you, Celly.”
“Oh, you care, all right. So much that you spend the night with another woman by your side. That’s the kind of love I really don’t need!”
2/3
Celeste’s anger flared, but with her mother’s plaque in her arms she could only nudge Philip aside with her elbow and keep walking.
Viola called after her again.
“So, is that Bentley out there from some new guy you’re seeing?”
“Celeste, being someone’s mistress isn’t something to brag about. The Duncans already don’t want you around. If you keep this up, you might never be welcome back in Asterwynn…”
Her words sounded caring, but each one was laced with venom, reducing Celeste to nothing. And that one word-“mistress“-only threw more fuel on the fire between her and Philip.
Celeste paused, glancing at Viola with a look of utter indifference.
“Well, thanks so much for your concern. But unlike certain sickly little birds who can’t survive outside their cage, I’m perfectly capable of living my life–no Duncans, no Philip, it doesn’t matter. If I take someone else’s car, who cares?”
“If you’re jealous, just ask Philip to set you up. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to keep you.”
