LOGINCeleste’s POVI woke up to the kind of stillness that doesn’t feel peaceful— just full. Like my body hadn’t figured out whether last night was a dream, a triumph, or a warning.My eyes were puffy from crying—happy tears, scared tears, everything mixed together. And my heart… my heart felt strangely restless, beating as if it were running ahead of me into a day I wasn’t prepared for.I pushed myself up from the bed, stretching sore muscles, and padded out into the dining room.The moment I smelled it, my heart soared. The aroma of warm bread, steamed milk, and caramelized sugar wafted from the kitchen. Auntie Eleanor’s breakfast.I froze for a second. Because for just a breath… it felt like I was eleven again, sitting at the long wooden table in the orphanage kitchen, watching her make crepes while the younger kids giggled and fought over spoons.“Good morning, Celeste,” Auntie Eleanor said from behind the counter, flipping something golden-brown in the pan.I blinked away the sting i
Harper’s POVOne minute ago, I was floating—buzzing with pride, joy, adrenaline—everything good and bright and perfect for Celeste.I mean, come on.This night was magic.Her comeback. Her triumph. Her rebirth.Then this woman—that woman—had the absolute nerve to storm in and throw all her venom straight at Celeste.The air around us had gone icy. Celeste stood frozen, eyes wide, still trying to make sense of what was happening.“But I didn’t—I haven’t—” she stammered, voice small, confused.And that was it for me.I stepped forward, placing myself between Celeste and the woman like it was the most natural thing in the world. My heart was pounding, but my mouth? Oh, I was ready.“Who are you?” I snapped. “Because you are definitely not welcome here.”The woman glared, chin lifting defiantly, ready to spit more poison.I didn’t let her.“Don’t you dare cause trouble on Celeste’s special night,” I warned. “And let me make something crystal clear to you: Celeste isn’t interested in Theo.
Celeste’s POVFor a moment, I just stared at the card. A cold little thread curled down my spine.Before I could make sense of it, the café staff member stepped closer, rubbing her arms as if she were uneasy too.“Um… that bouquet,” she whispered, “it was delivered by a man. Tall. Muscular. Wearing a black jacket and a cap pulled low. He didn’t say a word, just handed it over.”My heartbeat thudded painfully.Harper met my eyes over the flowers—hers widening with the same dread blooming inside my chest.It felt like my past was reaching for me again. As if moments of joy could never come without shadows chasing right behind.A flicker of fear rippled through me.Genevieve? Another stalker? Someone from the past we never uncovered?My breathing faltered. Then the staff girl gasped, pointing toward the entrance. “There—he’s coming back in.”I froze.The café door swung open. A tall figure entered, cap low, jacket dark. My pulse spiked, my fingers tightening around the bouquet.The man
Celeste’s POVTonight, Le Jardin Bleu was electric. Filled with positive energy. People filled every corner of the room—talking, laughing, taking photos. The soft jazz drifting from the speakers blended with the clinking of glasses and the hum of excited buyers.Our Contrast Collection lined the walls and displays— the jackets with embroidered seams, the asymmetrical skirts and sculpted bags, the scarves dyed in shadow-and-light gradients.And to my absolute disbelief…They were selling. All of them.“I just processed three more purchases,” Margaux whispered breathlessly as she rushed past me toward the cashier’s table. “If this keeps up, we’ll be wiped out before nine.”I covered my mouth, shocked. “You’re kidding.”“Nope.” She winked. “We’re a hit, darling.”I actually swayed. A hand steadied my elbow.“Breathe,” Michael murmured, smiling at me in that quiet, steady way of his. “You earned this.”I did breathe—slowly, deeply—letting the room come into focus again.People were point
Genevieve’s POVI changed the subject. Because he didn’t answer. It was the easiest way to keep Alain from seeing the panic tightening every muscle in my body. “So… um, Lucette, what fruit did you use for the jam today?” I asked, forcing my voice into something that sounded normal.Lucette beamed, delighted by the question. “Wild strawberries from behind the market. They’re much sweeter this season.” She pushed the jar toward me. “Here, take more.”I nodded, spreading it onto bread with hands that shook only a little. Across from me, Alain watched me quietly, elbows braced on the table. He still hadn’t responded to what I told him earlier. Henri sat down with a grunt, rubbing his back. “You young people eat faster. Food will get cold.”I smiled politely, but inside I was spiraling.They were all so… normal. Kind. Good. The kind of people I should never be sitting with. And they treated me like I belonged at their table.Lucette handed me a mug of coffee and brushed crumbs off my sl
Alain’s POVIt’d been a few days since we reached the mainland.Henri’s cousin, old Madame Lucette, took us in with barely a question—just a gasp at Genevieve’s bruises and a muttered, “Mon pauvre enfant… what wickedness you survived.”Genevieve didn’t correct her. Didn’t say actually, I caused wickedness too. She just murmured thank you in a voice so small it startled me.We slept in a cramped guest room—me on the cot, Genevieve on the bed, Henri in the living room. Every morning, I’d find Genevieve awake before dawn, sweeping leaves off Lucette’s porch, or washing dishes, or helping Henri chop wood even when she flinched every time the axe struck.She had changed.Or she was trying to. Really damn hard.But most of the time, I’d catch her staring into space—jaw tight, eyes glassy, like she was replaying every mistake she ever made.Like she was carrying the weight of a whole life’s worth of sins.And I kept thinking the same thing, over and over:I should turn her in.It was the rig







