I trusted her. I trusted him. Big mistake. When I caught my husband and my best friend tangled in betrayal, my world shattered. And my daughter? She chose her as her new mom. Me? Just a housewife. Just the ‘overbearing mom’ who cared too much. Done. I walked away, leaving their apologies and tears in the dust. My husband dropped to his knees, begging, “Please, come back. We can fix this.”My daughter clung to me, crying, “Mom, don’t leave me.” I laughed: “Fix it? Don’t leave? Too late. You had your chance. I don’t need either of you anymore.”
더 보기“Daddy, why don’t you marry Auntie Vanessa?”
Damien was zipping up our five-year-old daughter’s dress when she suggested he marry my best friend three hours before our wedding.
Why would she say something like that?
Bonnie’s words pierced my heart like a needle. But what cut so deeply was Damien’s silence. The man I’d given up my career for, to care for our family while he built his business, said nothing.
We’ve come so far. I thought bitterly. I’d been there for him through every struggle, every late night, every moment of doubt. We’d built this life together—starting with Bonnie, who came into this world before we even had a wedding.
Damien had promised me a dream wedding, a day to make up for all the sacrifices. But now, standing here, I couldn’t help but wonder if those promises were just nonsense.
Bonnie and I had just been arguing over which flower girl dress she would wear. Last month we went to a boutique with Vanessa where I found the perfect dress. But Vanessa had bought another dress for Bonnie and given it to her behind my back.
Vanessa and I met in college. We were classmates who quickly became best friends. When she was struggling to find work, I asked Damien if he could give her a job at his company.
Since then, we saw her a lot more often and Bonnie became very attached to her. Their relationship often struck a nerve. I constantly had to remind myself that Bonnie was five, and it was probably just a phase.
But recently Vanessa had been stepping over the line far too often. I was Bonnie’s mother, and this was my wedding, so what dress my daughter and flower girl wore should have been my call.
Maybe she was confused about her duties as the maid of honour?
Damien came into the makeup room while I was trying to convince Bonnie to wear the dress I chose. She sprung into tears the moment she saw him.
“Why are you always so harsh with her, Celeste?” Damien’s voice was icy as he strode across the room to Bonnie.
“I wasn’t being harsh. She’s throwing a tantrum.” I tried to suppress my hurt and frustration.
Damien crouched down to Bonnie’s level, ignoring me. He spoke to her in hushed tones. My heart melted as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
I snapped a picture of the two people my world revolved around. Bonnie looked adorable in her dress.
“Thank you, daddy!” Bonnie squealed.
Damien always had a way with people. I smiled as she dashed out of the room.
“What did you say to make her so happy?”
He stood up and gave me a stony glare.
“I told her she could wear the dress Vanessa chose for her.”
“What? Damien, we spent hours finding the perfect dress. The one Vanessa chose doesn’t fit with the colour scheme—”
“Seriously, Celeste?” He stood up. “Why do you always have to be so difficult?”
“I really wasn’t. It’s just that I’ve been dreaming of this wedding for five years. I—”
“Yeah and in those five years you’ve changed a lot. Sitting around doing nothing all day has really made you such a nag.”
He reached into his pocket for his phone and turned away from me. I was speechless as he sat down to scroll.
It felt like he’d pushed me off a cliff into icy water.
Today was a happy day. I wiped my face, glad I hadn’t done my makeup yet.
“Are you nervous?” I asked.
Damien nodded, not bothering to look up from his phone.
Bonnie bursted into the room. The bright magenta of her dress was an eyesore.
“Daddy, please zip my dress.”
She was bouncing as she admired her reflection.
“Hold still, Bonnie.” Damien was struggling.
I imagined the zipper breaking and felt immediate guilt. Bonnie may have looked like she was imitating a certain purple dinosaur, but she was happy.
“I can help.” I moved toward them.
That’s when Bonnie asked, “Daddy, why don’t you marry Auntie Vanessa?”
I stopped dead in my tracks. The sound of the dress zipping filled the silence.
Damien smiled at our daughter in the mirror. He swooped down to kiss the top of her head when the door opened.
“You look beautiful, Bon-Bon.”
The makeup artist swooned at the sight of Damien being paternal. It irritated me, but he had that effect on women.
“Mr Kent—”
“Please, Damien. And you are?” He stretched out a hand.
“Kelly.” She managed with a blush. “Your groomsmen need you in the fitting room.”
Damien sent her smile. “Thank you, Kelly.”
Damien gave Bonnie her iPad before leaving.
Annoyed, I sat in front of the mirror. Kelly’s makeup case clunked onto the table. She cleared her throat.
“You have a lovely family. You must be so happy.”
I nodded, and she got started.
My face transformed in front of me. With every minute that it became more flawless, I could see why an onlooker would think we were happy.
A successful husband, adorable daughter, doting mother, and dream wedding.
So why did I feel more lonely and bitter with each sweep of makeup?
“All done, Mrs Kent. You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks, Kelly.”
Bonnie tossed her iPad onto the seat and ran to take my place.
“My turn!”
“Honey, you’re still a bit too young to wear makeup.”
She crossed her arms. “Auntie Vanessa would let me. Why can’t she be my mommy?”
The wall around my heart cracked.
“Kelly, would you mind doing my daughter’s makeup? Something natural, please.”
“Sure thing.”
Bonnie’s face lit up.
“I’m going to go see if your dad is ready. Be a good girl, okay?” I asked as I opened the door, but Bonnie was already engrossed in the makeup.
I took a few steadying breaths. I had just spent an hour on my makeup and really couldn’t afford to cry.
“Wow. You look stunning, Celeste.” I heard Damien’s charming best man, Ryan, call out from down the hallway.
“You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“If you ever wanna trade up,” he winked, “I’ll be the handsome one standing behind the groom.”
I laughed at his antics. Ryan was a terrible flirt, but he knew how to lift anyone’s mood.
“You’re such a tease. Have you seen my husband anywhere?”
“I was actually coming to see if he was with you.”
“Oh, I’ll check the fitting rooms.”
“Let me know if you find him.” He called out as I went on my way.
I wondered if Damien would also think I looked stunning as I reached the fitting rooms. Excitement filled me and I finally felt a little lighter.
“Damien? Are you–”
I opened the door and the world stopped making sense.
Damien sat in a plush armchair with his face buried in Vanessa’s breasts. She was riding him hard. My best friend’s mouth twisted into a smirk when she saw me.
Vanessa’s POVThe metal frame of the bed dug into my back through the pathetic excuse for a mattress. Time ticked by as I stared at the ceiling of my holding cell with unseeing eyes. My mind replayed the humiliation I’d endured over the last twenty-four hours in high definition.“Your lunch, m’lady.” Came a guard’s mocking announcement and the clanging metal.I gritted my teeth as my stomach twisted with hunger.The gruel they served here wasn’t fit for animals. I had shoved my untouched dinner back through the slot last night and requested a simple smoked salmon salad, but no matter how long I yelled, no one brought me anything.Eventually, a guard called me to the bars. I rushed there for my food, but she grabbed my shirt and pulled me close to hiss in my ear. I shuddered at the memory of her threat. “If you don’t shut your trap, I’ll switch off the cameras and make you eat your teeth, veneers and all.”I nodded quickly, and she shoved me away.When breakfast came, I attempted to ea
Ryan’s POVThe blood drained from my face.Maximilian wasn’t one to make idle threats. If he put his wealth and connections towards ruining Celeste, she’d face more than an online smear campaign–she’d never step into a studio again.Not even as a janitor.“Father, Celeste has done nothing wrong!” I said with indignation. “How could you threaten to destroy someone’s livelihood for your own gain?” He tutted. “Don’t make me out to be the villain, Ryan. You wanted control, and I gave it to you. Now make your decision.”Celeste had worked damn hard to get where she was today. I couldn’t let her lose it all because of me and still call myself a man.I had no choice.“I’ll dazzle Michelle’s parents for you under one condition.” I said, voice harsh as a blizzard. “You must make provisions in your exclusivity contract to allow Rosemary to go into business with Hughes Industries.”If I couldn’t stop my father from controlling my life, at least I’d fight for Celeste with the little power I had.
Ryan’s POVI decided to leave for work early this morning. I stared blankly at my reflection in the elevator mirror on the way down from my penthouse. Celeste was driving me crazy.She’d committed herself to misunderstanding me, and I couldn’t stand it. Michelle was just a red herring to keep my father distracted from my true romantic pursuit.Michelle wasn’t the woman I loved.“I’m telling that stubborn woman the truth today–no matter what.” I said and determination shone from my eyes.My private elevator pinged on the ground floor and I strode out of the apartment building to hail a taxi. As I approached the edge of the pavement, a black Rolls Royce cut the taxi off.“Get in,” a solemn voice said through the rolled-down window. “We need to talk.”I gritted my teeth. “I’m busy this morning, father. Please schedule a meeting in advance next time.”I tried to walk to my taxi, but a broad man in a suit blocked my way. Behind me was the same.Maximilian’s security had me surrounded.“Ple
Celeste’s POVAfter tossing and turning all night, I gave up on sleep and headed to my studio at the crack of dawn to sketch my design ideas for our light luxury line. The familiar sound of lead sliding on paper calmed the storm in my mind, and the creative juices flowed.I was determined to make this a success.“I knew I’d find you here.” a sudden, smug voice startled me.I jumped, cutting a thick, dark line through my design.“Sorry, love,” Grace said, wincing when I glared up at her. “Peace offering?”I eagerly accepted the coffee and croissant she held out.“All is forgiven.” I smiled gratefully. “I was so excited to get my ideas on paper that coffee didn’t cross my mind.”She raised an eyebrow. “You’re a caffeine addict who forgot about coffee? Are you sure the new line is all that’s on your mind?”I chuckled. “You know how I get when I hyperfocus on my work.”“Our apartment walls are thin, Celeste.” She said gently. “I heard the Bridget Jones marathon playing all night.”I tore a
Damien’s POV“Stop running away, you little bastards!” I hissed under my breath. I chased the eggshells in the bowl, about ready to pull out my hair as they seemed to be repelled by my fingers. “Fuck it,” I muttered as I rewinded the pancake tutorial, smearing egg on my screen. Nobody would notice a few egg shells.“Bon-Bon, Daddy’s almost done with breakfast! Finish brushing your teeth and come eat.” I yelled up the stairs.Today was the first day I’d been left completely alone with Bonnie since she was born. Celeste and Vanessa always acted like caring for her was a full-time job, but it was child’s play.A few minutes later, I was sliding the pancakes onto a plate with a smirk. “I’m sure your teeth are pearly white by now!” I called. “Come eat your yummy pancakes!”There was no response.I furrowed my brows and headed for Bonnie’s ensuite bathroom. Faint music grew louder as I approached the door and pushed it open.Bonnie sat on the toilet with her iPad, completely engrossed.“
Celeste’s POV“Me? Jealous?” I scoffed, tilting my head to the side with a smirk. “Is that why I’m planning on approaching Michelle to form a partnership with Hughes Industries?”My words didn’t have the effect I imagined on Ryan.He retreated into himself for a few seconds. Then he ran a hand over his face and let out a heavy breath. When he raised his eyes to meet my challenging gaze, there was an overpowering intensity in their depths that made me swallow.“Celeste, I strongly discourage you from getting involved with Hughes Industries.” He said, his tone taking on a dark edge.There was nothing problematic about his words. But the authoritative tone in his voice, the fierceness in his eyes, told me it wasn’t simply a suggestion. It was an order.I narrowed my eyes. “Care to explain why you’re so against the idea that you’d order your boss around?”He studied me, hesitating for a moment, before responding.“I’ve heard chatter that Crown Luxe is after an exclusive supplier contract
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