Alfred saw the color had returned to her face and finally allowed himself to relax. Still, his hand lingered protectively at her waist, and only after Herbert’s transfer came through did his expression soften.
“Since everything’s settled, I’ll be taking Mrs. Hopkins home now.”
“Y–yes, of course,” Herbert stammered, his heart practically bleeding.
But Alfred had already wrapped an arm around Celeste and was leading her away.
Once they were in the car, Alfred accidentally brushed her arm. Celeste let out a soft gasp of pain.
He immediately caught her wrist and turned it over, revealing a patch of angry swelling along her forearm.
“You got burned in the chapel fire? Why didn’t you go to the hospital?” Alfred’s eyes flashed with concern.
Celeste blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “How did you know about the fire at the chapel?”
As soon as she asked, she realized it was a pointless question.
He was Mr. Alfred, after all. Was there anything about Asterwynn he didn’t know?
“We’re going to the hospital,” he said, gripping her wrist–but careful not to touch the injured skin.
Celeste had been so desperate to see to her mother’s memorial plaque during the chaos that she’d ignored her own injury. Then Philip’s outburst had distracted her completely.
Seeing Alfred’s dark expression, she quickly reassured him, “It’s just a little burn, the skin isn’t even broken. I’ll put some ointment on it at home–it’s nothing.”
“No. We’re going to the hospital,” Alfred insisted.
The driver stepped on the gas, heading straight for the emergency room.
Celeste knew she couldn’t win this argument, so she obediently followed Alfred inside.
While he went to get medicine, Celeste sat alone on a bench in the corridor, quietly inspecting her injury.
17-157
That’s when she saw Philip and Viola emerging from a nearby exam room. Viola was clinging to Philip’s arm.
“I just felt a little flutter in my chest, and I didn’t want to come alone. Sorry for dragging you out here, Philip,” Viola said softly.
“As long as you’re all right,” Philip replied, his voice gentle. He looked up–and met Celeste’s gaze.
His eyes dropped to her swollen arm, and without thinking, he freed himself from Viola’s grip and strode over.
“You haven’t even had that treated yet?” Philip’s face was etched with worry as he took in the red welt and the bruise on her forehead.
He leaned forward, as if to blow gently on her wound like he used to when they were younger, hoping it might heal faster.
But before he could get close, Celeste turned her head sharply, shielding her
forehead from him.
“I don’t need that kind of childish comfort anymore,” she said coolly.
“I–I have some band–aids, let me at least cover it for you,” Philip fumbled, pulling a bandage from his pocket.
Celeste dodged him again, rebuffing his help a second time.
Philip’s hand hovered in midair, helpless. “Was this the Duncan family’s doing?” he asked quietly.
“It’s none of your business. You should worry about your own family,” Celeste replied, turning her face away, unwilling to look at him or say anything more.
Still, Philip understood.
He finally realized just how precarious Celeste’s situation was at home, and seeing her bruised forehead made his heart ache for her all over again.
“Celly, please–can’t you give me another chance?” he pleaded. “If you’d just come back to me, I swear I’ll protect you. I’ll never let the Duncans hurt you again-”
His voice was soft and earnest.
Once, Celeste might have melted at his words.
But now, she stood up and walked away without hesitation.
Philip trailed after her, desperate, words tumbling out.
17:16
Chapter 51
“Just give me-”
“No,” Celeste said firmly, quickening her pace.
Thankfully, Viola reached out and caught Philip’s arm, holding him back.
