Chapter 3 Death's door

Landon's pov

Four days later.

“You look glum,”

Celia's voice brought me out from my reverie.

“I'm fine, Celia.” I said, trying not to snap at her.

“You don't look it and everyone is starting to notice,” she whispered.

We were both at dinner with both her parents and mine talking about the engagement party that I didn't even want to have.

“Sorry. I'll try to smile,” I whispered back at her.

“Good.” She smiled and kissed me on my cheeks.

“Aww. Look at the cute couple.” My mother said and I gave her half a smile, uninterested in whatever mushi fantasy she was about to come up with.

“So, have we fixed a date for the wedding?”

Mrs Palmerston asked.

It was the first time she was speaking since we arrived and I honestly wished she'd kept her mouth shut. We'd never gotten along because of how bad she used to treat Blair and now, I hated her even more for not caring about her supposed daughter's whereabouts.

“Not yet, mom but we plan on talking about today but don't worry, it will be before my bump starts to show, right honey?”

Celia asked, turning to smile at me.

“Right,” I answered, trying to show as much interest as I could.

“See, he's on board.”

She said, looking back to her mother.

“Good, good. It's best we start planning.”

I zoned out once again as everyone at the table continued to converse between each other.

All I could think about now was the look on Blair's face when I had told her that I wanted the baby aborted.

She'd cheated on me but it still hurt to say those words to her but what was even more painful was seeing her in bed with another man.

How could she have done that to me?

It wasn't long till dinner ended and I headed to my parent's leaving Celia home.

She'd opted to stay home with her mom to sort out some other things related to babies.

Now that we'd signed the documents that would help keep our company afloat with the Palmerson, I felt a huge emptiness within.

How had things gone from being happily married to the love of my life to being engaged to a woman I barely had any feelings for. A woman I regrettably had a one night stand and had gotten her pregnant with after finding out about Blair's infedility.

“What's got you in a mood son?” My father asked as soon we got home.

“Why do you suddenly care about my feelings, dad?” I asked and he gave me an odd look.

“Don't speak to me like that. You know we did what we had to do to keep our family name,”

“We?’ I scoffed.

“No, I did what I had to do, you just commanded it. You are not the one that has to marry a woman you don't care for.”

My father rolled his eyes at me like he couldn't be bothered about my ridiculous rants.

“All of this for a woman that chested on you?”

I wanted to say something but there was no argument against this one.

He was right.

No matter how much I didn't want to be with Celia, It didn't change the fact that my Blair had cheated and broken our trust. I still would have sent her away but at least, I'd have time to mourn our love.

If she hadn't, saying no to my father's demand would have been easier, much more easier and I would be with her

I hated her for what she did to us, for making it easier to let her go but fuck, did I still love the shit out of her.

It was pathetic but four years of love was not easy to let go of.

“Goor night dad,”

I said to him before walking out on him.

I didn't want to have this conversation anymore, it was too raw and the pain was still too fresh.

My only option was to somehow find a way to love Celia and forget about Blair.

It shouldn't be hard especially since she'd betrayed me.

I went upstairs to my old room, showered and after hours of tossing and turning, fell asleep,having nightmares of Blair dying.

I woke up the next day to the sound of my alarm clock.

I immediately turned it off and went straight to the bathroom filled with absolute irritation.

I had thought the last few days had been a nightmare but nope.

Blair had cheated and Celia was my fiancee.

I let the water cascade down my back, my palms pressed on either side of the wall, my mind reeling.

In a couple of weeks, I'd be married again.

How had things gone so wrong?

No!

I shook my head.

I was not going to think about this today.

I was going to go to work, get things done and forget about the past and move on.

No more fucking pity party.

I climbed out of the bathroom, dried myself with my towel and proceeded to dress up for work.

I came out of my room and made my way downstairs.

I passed the dinning hall straight to the front door and as I was about to open the front door, I heard the sound of my mother's voice.cslling my name and I turned around.

“Good morning mom,” I managed a smile.

“Good morning, son. Don't tell me you are leaving without having breakfast,” she sad in a scolding tone.

“Okay, I won't,” I said sarcastically and turned around to open the door, hoping that was enough hint that I don't want to be bothered today.

“Landon!” My mother warned and I let out a sigh.

“i an not hungry,” I said with a sigh, my hand still on the door knob

“I don't care. You'll have breakfast with the family whether you like it or not,”

She glared.

I wanted to walk out on her but I didn't want her showing up at work today, so, I nodded.

“Fine, I'll have breakfast,”

I said reluctantly.

I knew if I made the mistake of leaving without at least eating first, I'll be a goner and I didn't want anything to do with my mother's dramatics.

She smiled wide and led me into the dinning hall.

My father was already seated and was reading a newspaper when I walked in

“Morning, Dad,”

I said as I took my seat beside him.

“Morni, son. So nice of you to join us,” he said with an impassive expression.

My phone rang just then.

I picked up the phone to find it was an unknown number.

“Hello,” I answered the call.

“Good morning, sir. Is this Mr. Baron?”

A voice spoke.

“Who wants to know?”

“I'm Dr. Rashford and I'm sorry to have to tell you this over the phone, but your wife has passed away,”

My eyes widend and my heart skipped several beats.

“What?”

“Yes, Mrs Blair Baron has passed away. We'd like you to come to the hospital to identify her,*