Chapter Sixty One

최신 챕터

• No Way to Win Me Back   Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen

  Celeste’s POV“Let’s discuss dinner with your parents later.” Ryan said awkwardly.I couldn’t listen to these lovebirds a second longer. I had just pulled out my phone when Grace sidled up to me and spoke in a hushed tone.“That’s Michelle Hughes!” she said, eyeing the young woman discreetly. “Her family is ridiculously wealthy.”I frowned and whispered back. “How do you know her background?”“During the studio’s crisis, I couldn’t get a wink of sleep from the stress. I stayed up combing the web for something to save us and came across Hughes Industries.” She leaned in closer. “She’s an heiress!”I glanced back at the polished woman and pursed my lips.Of course, she was born with a silver spoon. “Hughes Industries? Why does that sound familiar?” I asked, watching Ryan flash a dimple as he smiled at his girlfriend.Grace whispered excitedly. “They produce the highest quality precious stones and metals on the market. Several jewelry companies are fighting for an exclusivity contract wi

• No Way to Win Me Back   Chapter One Hundred and Eighteen

  Celeste’s POV“Grace, Ryan, I have a brilliant idea!” I said, as I hurried over to them. “We should launch a more accessible ‘light luxury’ jewelry line.”My assistant took the takeout bag from my hands while my business partner raised an eyebrow.“You look awfully cheery, considering what just happened with Bonnie.” She said, tilting her head to the side. “Where did this sudden business idea come from?”I smiled, thinking back to the fan I met.“I just realized that we’ve been focusing on ultra wealthy clients, but they’re the minority.” I said, excitement thrumming through my veins.“I don’t think now is the best time to be venturing into a new market.” Grace said, chewing on her lip. “We’re still trying to recuperate after Vanessa’s attack.”She fixed me with her concerned gray eyes.“Besides, don’t you think you should take a break to process everything that’s happened with Bonnie?” I shook my head. “A break is the last thing I need. Without worrying about Bonnie or fighting again

• No Way to Win Me Back   Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen

  Celeste’s POV“Celeste, are you sure you want to sign away your parental rights?” Grace asked as soon as I cut the call with my lawyer. “Isn’t that a bit too drastic? She’s your daughter, after all.”I could see Bonnie prancing to the checkout counter, Damien pulling out his wallet. Vanessa was her mother and Damien her father. She made her choice.Now I’ve made mine.“That’s the thing, Grace.” I said, wrenching my gaze from Bonnie. “From today, she’s just Damien’s daughter and Vanessa’s stepdaughter. I have nothing to do with her.”Ryan fixed me with his green eyes, peering into my soul. “I’m not buying it, Celeste.” He said, shaking his head. “There’s no way you’d leave Bonnie at the mercy of Damien and Vanessa. They make terrible parents.”Grace nodded. “That’s right. Think about her welfare–they have no clue what they’re doing.”I shrugged, but my shoulders were tense. “That’s not my concern anymore.”“They gave her food poisoning, for crying out loud,” Ryan said through clenched

• No Way to Win Me Back   Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen

  Celeste’s POVSilence descended over our group.I glared at Damien, daring him to tell me I was wrong. I wouldn’t put it past such an arrogant and self-centered man to deny that he tore a chasm between Bonnie and I with his affair and the way he mistreated me.But he stood tight-lipped and stiff with hesitation.“Get out of my sight, Damien.” I broke the silence, my anger and heartache settling deep in my bones. “We have nothing more to discuss.”He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.“Daddy, buy my princess dress before the shops close.” Bonnie demanded and reached for his hand. Damien sighed. “You have so many dresses already, Bon-Bon.”She pouted up at her father. “Auntie Vanessa said a princess can never have too many dresses.”“Let’s just go home.” He said.Bonnie glared at him. “We can’t go home without Auntie Vanessa! You have to fetch her from the police.”“I can’t bring Auntie Vanessa home until the police call me.” He said, running a hand over his face. Tears sprung to

• No Way to Win Me Back   Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen

  Celeste’s POV“That’s enough, Bonnie!” Damien scolded, his voice harsher than he’d ever used with her. “Don’t speak to your mother like that.”She looked at him, startled, then stuck out her chin defiantly.I watched, heart completely shattered, as my daughter reached for more pebbles. She obviously hated me and had for months.I just hadn’t been willing to accept it.“Don’t you dare, young lady!” Damien warned, barely restraining his anger.Bonnie ignored him and threw the pebbles at me. They hit Ryan, who once again stood in front of me, but I felt each one slam deep in my soul.Damien thundered over, picked her up, and walked several paces away from the pebbles before setting her down. The moment her feet touched the ground, she let out a high-pitched, ear-splitting scream. She was hysterical, but I couldn’t blame her. Damien had spent six years indulging her every whim without actual discipline. “There, there, princess.” He murmured as he squatted to embrace her. “Calm down–you’r

• No Way to Win Me Back   Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen

  Celeste’s POVMy heart ached as I squeezed Bonnie closer. A million different scenarios had played out in my head and my body still trembled from the possibility of losing my daughter.I had never been more terrified in my entire life.“Let go of me!” Bonnie screamed suddenly.She recoiled from my touch like a startled animal. Like it burned.I loosened my grip to ask, “What’s wrong, hon—” But she shoved me away, tearing herself free from my embrace.“Stay away from me! I only want Daddy!” She screamed, lunging into Damien’s arms.My daughter buried her face against her father’s chest, sobbing like I’d hurt her.I stared blankly in shock as my heart twisted.Damien had lost her in a mall, and still she chose him over me. Who knows when he would have realized she was missing if I hadn’t asked about her? I pushed myself off the playground floor.“Honey, why don’t you want Mommy near you?” I asked as I walked towards them.Bonnie looked up from Damien’s chest, and her face twisted when