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Chapter 24 : Celia ' A place by his side'

مؤلف: Pixie
last update تاريخ النشر: 2026-07-03 21:26:03

The heritage exhibition was unlike anything I had ever seen.

The restored ballroom glowed beneath crystal chandeliers, their light dancing across polished marble floors and glass display cases.

Antique jewelry, hand-painted porcelain, and centuries-old artworks filled the hall, each piece carrying a story older than anyone in the room.

For a moment, I forgot about the cameras.

Forgot about the whispers.

Forgot that I was the woman who had once been branded a thief before I had ever stolen anyt
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  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 26: Celia ' The weight of small things'

    I hadn't slept much.Every time I closed my eyes, I heard his voice again.They were only words.They shouldn't have mattered this much.By the time I reached the dining room, I had already prepared myself for the usual distance.Instead, Adrian was already seated.He didn't say a word.He simply pulled out the chair beside him.I stopped in the doorway."You're staring," he said without looking up."I'm deciding whether to sit.""You already decided."He wasn't wrong.My feet had moved before my mind had caught up.Slowly, I lowered myself into the chair.A moment later, Eleanor entered, leaning lightly on her cane.Her eyes drifted over the two of us.Then to the narrow space between our chairs.I braced myself for the teasing.For the knowing smile.Instead, she calmly reached for the teapot."Good morning," she said.Mild.Unbothered.Somehow, her silence said more than any joke could have.Across the table, Vivian's teacup paused halfway to her lips.Her gaze shifted from Adrian

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 25 : Celia ' The first move'

    The applause lingered long after we stepped off the stage.People approached us one after another, congratulating Adrian on the exhibition and complimenting the evening's success.For the first time, No one looked at me with pity.No one whispered behind my backInstead, they smiled."It was lovely meeting you, Mrs. Lancaster.""You have an incredible eye for antiques.""I hope we'll see you at future events."I thanked each of them, still feeling as though I were walking through someone else's dream.A few months agoMost of these same people wouldn't have acknowledged my existence.Now they were eager to speak with me.It was strange how quickly public opinion could change."Overwhelmed?"Adrian appeared beside me again, offering a glass of sparkling water.I accepted it with a grateful smile."A little.""You handled yourself well.""I was terrified.""You hid it.""I've had years of practice."His expression softened."You shouldn't have needed that practice."For a moment, neith

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 24 : Celia ' A place by his side'

    The heritage exhibition was unlike anything I had ever seen.The restored ballroom glowed beneath crystal chandeliers, their light dancing across polished marble floors and glass display cases. Antique jewelry, hand-painted porcelain, and centuries-old artworks filled the hall, each piece carrying a story older than anyone in the room.For a moment, I forgot about the cameras.Forgot about the whispers.Forgot that I was the woman who had once been branded a thief before I had ever stolen anything.I simply admired the craftsmanship."You like this one."Adrian's voice came quietly beside me.I hadn't even realized he was watching me instead of the display.I smiled."The setting."I pointed toward an antique emerald necklace."See how they placed the stones? Most people notice the emeralds first, but the goldwork is the real masterpiece."He looked closely before nodding."I would've never noticed.""That's because everyone looks at the center.""And you?""I've always preferred wha

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 23 : Celia ' An excuse to stay'

    The little silver music box sat on my desk for two days before I gathered the courage to repair it.Not because it was difficult.Because I was afraid of ruining something that mattered to Adrian.I carefully spread my tools across the table beside the window.A magnifying glass, tiny screwdrivers andFine tweezers.The same tools Grandmother had once bought for me after catching me secretly repairing one of her old brooches.I gently turned the key.Nothing.Just as Adrian had said.The spring inside had snapped years ago.As I carefully removed the tiny screws, a soft knock came at the door."Celia?"His voice.I quickly stood."Come in."Adrian stepped inside, stopping just inside the doorway.His eyes immediately fell on the music box lying in pieces across my desk."I hope I didn't interrupt."I smiled."I was just getting started."He walked closer, curiosity written across his face."I've never seen anyone repair something this small.""I've never had anyone interested enough t

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 22 : Celia ' Home before sunset'

    Adrian and I had already set the table for dinner and taken our seatsFor a second, neither of us spoke.Then Grandmother's cheerful voice floated down the hallway."If the two of you are finished staring at each other...""...my dinner is getting cold!"Heat rushed to my cheeks.Adrian cleared his throat."We should...""Yes.""We should."Dinner was louder than usual.Mostly because Grandmother refused to let silence settle."Celia.""Yes?""This bread is wonderful.""Thank you."She turned to Adrian."And you?"He swallowed another bite before answering."It's good."

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 21 : Celia ' The morning after the rain'

    The first thing I noticed was the jacket.It still hung neatly over the back of the chair beside my bed.Adrian's jacket.Last night, after the rain had finally stopped, he'd insisted I keep it until morning."You'll catch a cold."Those had been his exact words.Simple and practical.Yet I'd spent half the night thinking about them.I sighed and buried my face in my pillow."What is wrong with you, Celia?"I knew the answer.I was slowly and hopelessly falling in love with my husband.The realization should have frightened me.InsteadIt made me smile.A knock sounded on my bedroom door."Celia?"It was Martha, one of the old

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 7 Celia: The Midnight Conversation

    Once again I forgot to breathe.That voice, I knew exactly who it was. I looked back to confirm my fact. Adrian stood a few feet away, one hand tucked into his pocket, his expression unreadable.The older woman's smile faltered."M.. Mr..Lancaster." She stuttered. He didn't look at her immediate

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 6 Celia : The Charity tea

    I spent most of the evening staring at the ceiling.Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Adrian's voice again."My wife doesn't enjoy being interrogated for entertainment."The words shouldn't have mattered.A person can defend someone without caring about them. He could intervene simply because he

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 5 Celia : Borrowed Things

    “What the hell is going on here?”Sienna’s voice sliced through the foyer sharply enough to make the housekeeper flinch.I turned fully toward the staircase.She stood three steps from the top, one manicured hand gripping the banister so tightly her knuckles had gone pale beneath her perfect makeup

  • The billionaire's discarded bride   Chapter 4 : Celia  'A Dangerous Kind of Hope'

    The next morning, breakfast was different.I entered the dining room expecting the same dry toast, the same silence, the same elegant dismissal that had wrapped around me since arriving in the Lancaster house.Instead, there was warm tea at my place. Eggs, buttered toast and fresh fruit too.I stop

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