Ryan’s POVI left the ladies chatting jovially over fruit with the excuse of needing the restroom. The moment I was out of sight, I made a beeline for the entrance and slipped out the front door.The back window rolled down, and my father regarded my approach coolly.“How courteous of you to come out and greet me, Ryan.” He said in that calm and collected tone of his that meant he was fuming beneath the surface.Whatever I’d done this time, I couldn’t have this discussion outside Celeste’s studio.“Father, you need to leave immediately.” I said, glancing over my shoulder. “You agreed to keep our relationship a secret.”Maximilian’s eyes narrowed. “What am I supposed to do when you make me jump through hoops to see my granddaughter? I’ll escort her to her piano lesson since you’ve been too busy fooling around to visit.”“I’m working, father.” I couldn’t keep the urgency from my voice. “We’ll visit you soon, so please leave for now.” Whatever storm was brewing, unleashed.“You’re worki
Celeste’s POV“That’s not my gra–” Molly started.But a second later, Ryan had swiftly picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. Her legs kicked in the air as she erupted into a fit of girlish giggles. “Uncle Ry-Ry! I wanna say goodbye!” She squealed.I watched in astonishment as he carried Molly to the other side of the car.He shifted her weight to open the door. “Sorry, Mols. You’re going to be late for your piano lesson.”“But piano is only in–” Ryan hauled her off his shoulder and carefully placed her in the backseat. He leaned over as he did his niece’s buckle, whispering something I couldn’t make out.When closed the door, he turned to Mr. Edwards.“You should go, father.” He said, coming around to stand beside me. The older man gave a friendly nod, then started the engine and the luxury black car rolled away.Ryan’s cheeks were flushed when I turned to him.“What’s the rush? You could have let her say goodbye.” I said, a brow raised sharply.Bonnie grumbled from behind
Damien’s POV“Hey, Bon-Bon, did you miss Daddy?” I asked my daughter tenderly.But my attention was on the quiet couple. How dare they dine as a happy family where my business associates could see them? Bonnie nodded in response to my question, picking at her vegetables with an air of disinterest that rubbed me up the wrong way. Was Celeste’s plan to make our daughter forget me? Over my dead body.“Daddy missed you so much.” I cooed, taking the empty seat beside Ryan. “Mommy must have brought you here, hoping you’d run into me.”Bonnie shook her head. “Uncle Ryan is treating us to dinner.”I glared at the composed man next to me. “Is the plan to plant a roach in your food so you can have a taste of the life you can’t afford?”“For god’s sake, Damien.” Celeste lowered her voice, but it was still biting. “You are disturbing what was a lovely meal.”“I just want to see my daughter.” I said reasonably and leaned into my backrest.Anger flashed across her face, and my lips twitched into a
Celeste’s POV “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 Vaness
Celeste’s POV Damien grunted, and his pleasure tore a cry from my throat. He whipped his face away from Vanessa to stare at me in shock. Then he called my name as he untangled himself from her.The sight of them made me nauseous. I had to get away.I shut the door and dabbed my face dry. Anger ignited next to the heartbreak. I would get Bonnie, we would leave and I would never see that unfaithful bastard again.Mind made up, I hurried back the way I came. Damien’s voice echoed behind me and I ignored him until he grabbed my arm.The suit I had picked out and carefully pressed was crumpled from their escapades. Vanessa sauntered over, unbothered, with her hair a mess.“Celeste, please let me explain.” Damien begged.I pulled my arm free from his grip. “I don’t want to hear it, Damien. There is nothing you could possibly say that will fix this.”Vanessa reached us and tucked herself into Damien’s side. I could still see a hint of that satisfied smirk on her lips.“I’m so sorry, Celeste.
Damien’s povHours after my wedding blew up in my face, I was finally home. A stack of papers and the wedding ring commissioned from the top designers at my company sat in plain view on my coffee table. “I’m going to change into something more comfortable.” Vanessa said before heading upstairs.I walked over to the living room and flipped through the papers. It was a divorce agreement already filled out and signed. I couldn’t help but chuckle.Celeste was looking for attention.She was just a spoiled housewife. She’d be begging me to take her back in a couple of days when she realised she’s nothing without me.I tossed the papers aside and sunk into the sofa, exhausted. Today was a massive failure that hurt both my pride and my pocket. Celeste was always good at wasting my money, but today really took the cake.I sighed. At least Vanessa had handled announcing the wedding cancellation surprisingly well. I was happy to learn she had other talents besides incredible sex.“You threw our
Celeste’s POV This morning was bittersweet. I didn’t have to wake up before sunrise to press and lay out Damien’s clothes, get Bonnie ready for school, and do a million other things.But I was still heartbroken. I mourned my marriage and missed my daughter.The noon sun felt nice on my skin as I walked down bustling streets. I was paying Grace, an old friend from college, an overdue visit.I wished I’d made more time for her after I got married. We used to have so much fun.She had a keen sense for people, too. When we met Vanessa, she warned me something was off. I should have listened.Grace’s jewellery boutique came into view. She’d decorated it exquisitely, with stylish pieces of jewellery that sparkled under the lights. I stood outside the entrance and took a deep breath. I wanted to hide this shameful aspect of my life. But I knew I needed to rely on my friends.The familiar ring of the bell comforted me as I pushed open the door. Grace looked up from behind the counter. A del
Celeste’s POVMy stomach was in knots as I walked into the children’s ward at the hospital. I desperately needed to see my daughter and know that she was okay.I reached the room the nurse pointed me to and threw open the door.My daughter laid in the bed, almost as white as its sheets. I ran straight to her side. There was an IV drip in her arm, and she moaned with pain.“Bonnie? It’s Mommy. Can you hear me, baby?” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice.“Mrs Kent?”I turned to see a doctor speaking with Damien and his mother, Pauline.“Yes, I’m Mrs Kent. Are you Bonnie’s doctor? Can you tell me what’s wrong with her?” I asked her, ignoring the others.“Oh, your husband didn’t tell you?” I said nothing, and the doctor cleared her throat before responding.“Your daughter has acute gastroenteritis, most likely caused by the unhygienic takeout food she ate yesterday. She was severely dehydrated when your husband brought her in.”I blinked back tears. My sweet girl went through so
Damien’s POV“Hey, Bon-Bon, did you miss Daddy?” I asked my daughter tenderly.But my attention was on the quiet couple. How dare they dine as a happy family where my business associates could see them? Bonnie nodded in response to my question, picking at her vegetables with an air of disinterest that rubbed me up the wrong way. Was Celeste’s plan to make our daughter forget me? Over my dead body.“Daddy missed you so much.” I cooed, taking the empty seat beside Ryan. “Mommy must have brought you here, hoping you’d run into me.”Bonnie shook her head. “Uncle Ryan is treating us to dinner.”I glared at the composed man next to me. “Is the plan to plant a roach in your food so you can have a taste of the life you can’t afford?”“For god’s sake, Damien.” Celeste lowered her voice, but it was still biting. “You are disturbing what was a lovely meal.”“I just want to see my daughter.” I said reasonably and leaned into my backrest.Anger flashed across her face, and my lips twitched into a
Celeste’s POV“That’s not my gra–” Molly started.But a second later, Ryan had swiftly picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. Her legs kicked in the air as she erupted into a fit of girlish giggles. “Uncle Ry-Ry! I wanna say goodbye!” She squealed.I watched in astonishment as he carried Molly to the other side of the car.He shifted her weight to open the door. “Sorry, Mols. You’re going to be late for your piano lesson.”“But piano is only in–” Ryan hauled her off his shoulder and carefully placed her in the backseat. He leaned over as he did his niece’s buckle, whispering something I couldn’t make out.When closed the door, he turned to Mr. Edwards.“You should go, father.” He said, coming around to stand beside me. The older man gave a friendly nod, then started the engine and the luxury black car rolled away.Ryan’s cheeks were flushed when I turned to him.“What’s the rush? You could have let her say goodbye.” I said, a brow raised sharply.Bonnie grumbled from behind
Ryan’s POVI left the ladies chatting jovially over fruit with the excuse of needing the restroom. The moment I was out of sight, I made a beeline for the entrance and slipped out the front door.The back window rolled down, and my father regarded my approach coolly.“How courteous of you to come out and greet me, Ryan.” He said in that calm and collected tone of his that meant he was fuming beneath the surface.Whatever I’d done this time, I couldn’t have this discussion outside Celeste’s studio.“Father, you need to leave immediately.” I said, glancing over my shoulder. “You agreed to keep our relationship a secret.”Maximilian’s eyes narrowed. “What am I supposed to do when you make me jump through hoops to see my granddaughter? I’ll escort her to her piano lesson since you’ve been too busy fooling around to visit.”“I’m working, father.” I couldn’t keep the urgency from my voice. “We’ll visit you soon, so please leave for now.” Whatever storm was brewing, unleashed.“You’re worki
Ryan’s POVI stepped aside, watching Celeste crouch in front of her daughter with a sense of awe–she was in her element.“Honey,” she said gently. “Are you upset because Uncle Ryan’s gift only has twelve colors, or because he fetched you from school today instead of Mommy?”Tears sprung to Bonnie’s eyes, but she looked away stubbornly.“Were you disappointed Mommy didn’t come?” She asked again, stroking the girl’s arm.Bonnie grumbled. “No, that gift is ugly and cheap.”“It certainly isn’t as sparkly as that diamond bear necklace Daddy got you, is it?” Celeste said, gesturing to the necklace her daughter had been fiddling with.The girl clasped her hands in front of her and gave one firm nod.“I wonder…” Celeste tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Daddy has given you so many pretty gifts, but does he ever spend time with you? Does he play with you or pick you up from school?”Bonnie tensed, her voice becoming small. “Daddy’s busy.”My heart ached for this lonely girl. Damien had showered he
Celeste’s POV“Oh, my god Celeste!” Grace squealed, running over to me. “You need to see what’s on the third page of the Citrine.”I put down the design I’d been tweaking, curiosity piqued.“What is it?” I asked, taking the magazine.I blinked at a photograph in shock. A broad-backed gentleman was helping a woman wearing a deep maroon dress into a sports car. Thankfully, I’d turned my face away from the camera as I ducked in, but anyone who knew me would recognize that I was that woman.Grace tapped the headline, and my mouth fell open.“Spotted: Crown Luxe’s heir helps hot date into his tailor made Bugatti at Mars party.” I read the words, shell-shocked.“I read the article.” Grace said, leaning against my desk. “There’s only one car like that in the world, and it belongs to Maximilian’s son. How in the world was your assistant chauffeuring you around in it?”I shook my head. “He borrowed it from his college roommate.”“He went to college with Crown Lux’s heir! Are they close?” She a
Vanessa’s POV“Don’t even think about taking my car!” Damien bellowed from the top of the stairs.I furiously threw open the front door and clutched my purse. “Oh, you mean that piece of junk in the driveway?” I screamed back. “I’d rather walk to the mall at four fucking months pregnant, you unchivalrous asshole!”The door slammed behind me with a resounding thud.I stormed down the driveway, groaning in fury and frustration. That obsessive man had kept me up half the night arguing about Bonnie and his lameass car. If I saw his face for a second longer, I’d claw his eyes out.I smirked as I strutted past the cracked headlight and the scratched paint of Damien’s car. It felt good to put that self righteous bitch in her place yesterday. Out of sight of the house, I slowed to a stroll–there wasn’t a chance in hell I’d walk so far in my limited edition Jimmy Choo’s. I dug through my purse for my phone to call a cab and smiled when I saw the fat envelope beside it.Yesterday, I pawed off
Celeste’s POVI choked on my juice, sputtering at Bonnie’s question.Ryan patted my back and handed me a napkin. My eyes narrowed murderously at the amused smile he couldn’t hide. Bonnie’s brows scrunched together, and she asked, “Mommy, are you two dating?”I cleared my throat as I cleaned myself, mind frazzled. What was I supposed to tell her? We’d slept together, and I trusted him more than anyone, but we were nothing more than good friends?God, I’d made everything a complicated disaster with my failing self control.The silence stretched uncomfortably. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, my phone blared from my handbag and I scrambled for it.I’d never been more grateful.“Yes, hello?” I answered, walking a few steps away for privacy.“Celeste, are you out of your mind?” Damien’s panicked voice came through. “How could you kidnap Bonnie from school?!”I cursed myself for not checking the caller ID.“When are you going to learn not to take Vanessa at her word?” I hissed. “She dro
Celeste’s POVKeeping my eyes on the road as I drove felt like climbing mount Everest. I kept glancing at the rearview mirror for reassurance that this was real and my daughter was, in fact, sitting in my backseat.Molly gazed at the cars out of the window, content. But Bonnie was consumed with picking at her nails, chewing on the cuticles and leaving her nail beds a torn mess.For someone who spent exuberant amounts of time and money on manicuring her nails, Vanessa had done a poor job of correcting this bad habit.“Hey girls, who wants to listen to some music?” I asked with a smile, hoping to distract Bonnie.Molly bounced in her seat. “Yes, please Auntie Celeste!”My smile faltered as Bonnie shrugged and looked away. At a red traffic light, I quickly found one of her favorite songs and hit play.“Yay! It’s Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!” Molly smiled.“This was one of Bonnie’s favorite songs when she was little.” I said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.“That song is lam
Celeste’s POV“I can’t believe I have to pick up this child myself while I’m pregnant!” Vanessa screeched loud enough to reach me from across the parking lot.My eyes narrowed as she strutted to the reading corner.Bonnie stood, carefully folding the cookie in the napkin. The way she brushed the crumbs into her hand like each one was precious made my heart ache. “Hurry up for god’s sake! I don’t have all day.” Vanessa yelled as she waddled toward her.My knuckles turned white from the force with which I held the iron bars. Was this how the bitch treated Bonnie when Damien and I weren’t around? She was lucky this fence was between us.“What’s that?” Vanessa asked, snatching the napkin from Bonnie’s hands.The girl jumped to take it back, yelping as her scabs cracked open.“Look what you did,” Vanessa scolded as she unwrapped the cookie. “And over this? Have some class.”“No! That’s mine!” Bonnie yelled, but it was too late.Vanessa ate the cookie, smirking as my daughter’s face fell.