Dinner was unusually relaxing for both of them–a small comfort after a long, exhausting day.
As they left the restaurant, Alfred headed to the car first.
Celeste lingered behind to touch up her makeup, her mind already turning over how she might repay the favor next time. Heart fluttering with anticipation, she stepped outside and spotted Alfred waiting by the car. A smile crept across her face, and she unconsciously quickened her pace toward him.
Suddenly, a Rolls–Royce pulled up across the street.
The passenger window slid down, revealing Viola’s pale face.
“Philip, isn’t that Celeste over there?” Viola asked.
Philip glanced back just in time to see Celeste, radiant, walking toward another
man.
His grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles turning white.
Viola noticed, feigning surprise as she let out a little gasp. “Wait–isn’t that Mr. Alfred? Didn’t he just get married? What’s he doing at a romantic French place with Celeste? Philip, do you think Celeste has lost her mind and decided to break up Mr. Alfred’s marriage?”
She stopped herself, covering her mouth in mock shock. Her eyes grew red, and she clutched Philip’s sleeve. “Philip, I thought Celeste was just lashing out, picking a random guy to make you jealous, but if it’s Mr. Alfred… then maybe she really has…”
She trailed off, watching Philip’s reaction closely.
Philip’s jaw clenched, his eyes burning with disbelief.
A mistress.
Had Celeste left him just to become someone else’s mistress?
Viola had said as much before, but he hadn’t believed her. He’d even defended Celeste. But now, seeing her smiling so easily for another man–willing to lower herself just to refuse his proposal?
The thought made his blood boil. He shoved open the car door and stormed out.
Just as Celeste reached for the car handle, Philip stepped in front of her and seized
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her wrist.
“Celeste, do you even know what you’re doing?” he demanded.
Celeste jumped, startled. Where on earth had Philip come from?
She jerked her hand free, rubbing her aching wrist. “Can’t I even have dinner without you making a scene? What are you doing here?”
“Just dinner? Does that require you to laugh and flirt with another man? Does it require you to treat yourself like some bargaining chip?” Philip’s voice shook with disbelief. “Celeste, you were never the type to throw yourself away like this.”
He’d watched her grow up–his own beautiful rose. How could she become another man’s side affair?
Suddenly, his words clicked in Celeste’s mind-“flirt,” “bargaining chip“-did he really think she’d come out tonight just to seduce Alfred?
She took a steady breath, avoiding his touch. “I know exactly what I’m doing, Philip. We have nothing to do with each other now. Please, don’t interfere in my life anymore, okay?”
“Interfere? I’m trying to save you. If you need money, or help with business, you could always come to me.” His tone softened, but desperation lingered. No need to fall into someone else’s arms.
Philip was clearly agitated. Even if Celeste had left him, even if they were finished, thirteen years together wasn’t something you could just cut away. He could never stop worrying about her.
He took another step closer, concern clouding his eyes. “Celly, I’m just worried about you.”
For a moment, Celeste was silent.
Once, she would’ve rushed into his arms, seeking comfort, pouring out all her grievances from the past few days. But now, she only shrank away, putting more distance between them.
The gap widened, both physically and emotionally.
Alfred watched quietly from a few paces away. Whatever history Celeste and Philip had, it was theirs to resolve.
In the end, though, he was the one marrying Celeste.
“I’ll wait five minutes for you,” Alfred called out suddenly, breaking the tension as he
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shipped into the car.
Chapter 58
slipped into the car.
