Chapter 9
Steven suddenly spoke up. “Miss Duncan, would you be interested in joining The Matthews Group? I could offer you-”
He hadn’t even finished his sentence before her rejection cut him off.
“No.”
Steven watched her slender figure as she turned away, something flickering in his eyes–a mix of admiration and an unexpected surge of emotion.
Another item checked off the to–do list.
Celeste spent half the day resting at the hotel before heading back to the
townhouse.
The garden was in chaos.
Viola was parading around in Celeste’s clothes, draped in an expensive wool shawl. She looked every bit the lady of the house as she ordered the staff to rip out every last one of the flourishing flowers by the roots.
When Celeste stepped out of the car, Viola’s eyes flashed with smug satisfaction.
She hadn’t even gotten around to filming a taunting video, and yet Celeste was already back, unable to stay away.
Perfect.
Viola’s smile was wide and sweet as she greeted her.
“Celeste, what brings you back? Philip said you’d be staying at the hotel for a few days and told me to make myself at home.”
She covered her mouth and faked a few delicate coughs.
“It’s this weak body of mine–I simply can’t handle the scent of all that pollen. Poor Philip has been up late taking care of me. You don’t mind, do you, Celeste?”
Celeste’s gaze was icy as she took in the wilting flowers.
After she left Nova International, Philip, afraid she’d be bored, had remembered her love of gardening and had people search out rare and precious plants for her. A few of them were exceptionally delicate–she’d spent ages coaxing them to life.
15.05
Chapter y
When they finally bloomed, she’d snapped photos and sent them to Philip, telling him she wanted to use them in her wedding bouquet.
Now, all that remained was a patch of ruined earth.
“Good job. Keep going,” she said coolly, then turned and climbed the stairs without another glance.
Viola’s smile faltered for a moment.
She’d been bracing herself for a furious outburst, but Celeste was unshakably calm. Upstairs, Celeste stood in the bedroom she’d lived in for years, struggling with a hollow ache inside.
She and Philip had always slept in separate rooms, but everything in her space had come in pairs–two toothbrushes, two towels, matching pajamas, paired pillows…
She found a large black trash bag and began tossing everything inside.
Five trips back and forth, and no one noticed her–every servant was busy in the garden.
On her last trip, Philip’s car pulled into the driveway. He strode through the front door, heading straight upstairs, never noticing her.
As she passed the bedroom, she heard Viola’s sobs through the door.
“Philip, maybe I should just move out… I’m so sorry about the flowers… *cough, cough*…”
“Silly girl, they’re only flowers. If she likes them, we’ll plant new ones next time. Your health matters more than anything. Don’t cry, look at you–teary–eyed like a little kitten.”
His voice was gentle and soothing, each word a knife twisting in Celeste’s chest. Back in her own room, Celeste packed the last of her belongings into a suitcase.
Just as she closed it, the door opened.
“Celly, you-”
Philip’s eyes landed on the empty shelves. A wave of panic flickered across his face.
“Where’s all
your stuff?”
Celeste turned to look at him, her lips curled in a faint, ambiguous smile.
15:05
“Out with the old, in with the new. Isn’t that how it works?”
Philip froze, sensing something was off, but unable to put his finger on it.
Still, he’d already promised they’d get their marriage license next week. Things would be different after that, wouldn’t they? Buying new things seemed normal enough.
And she had come home to take care of Viola like he’d asked, so she couldn’t be too upset about last night.
He pushed aside his unease and walked over, ruffling Celeste’s hair as he always did.
“I know you’re upset. Why don’t you do some shopping these next few days? Chase is already looking for a new place for Viola. She’ll be moving out by Monday. Once she’s gone, everything in my room will be brand new–everything you pick out. Sound good?”
