Her emotions were impossible to hide. Every time she saw him, she’d bluntly say she felt like throwing up, and her face had grown noticeably rounder compared to three months ago.
Her belly wasn’t showing yet, but all the signs were there!
Once he realized this, Chester could barely wait for Celestine to leave before hurrying over to intercept Father Benedict and reveal his true identity.
Father Benedict nodded gravely. “Yes, you will have three children.”
He might have been unreliable in other areas, but when it came to reading pregnancies, he had never been wrong.
Yet, as he studied Chester’s face, he caught a faint greenish glow–an omen, perhaps. The child wouldn’t even be born for another three years. Why did Chester look so thrilled?
Still, Father Benedict knew better than to speak out of turn, especially to a generous client. Today was a day for celebration, not uncomfortable truths. Time would reveal all.
With the priest’s confirmation, Chester was overjoyed.
He and Celestine were having a third child!
It all made sense now–her hormones were out of control, making her irritable with everyone. This new little one was already causing chaos! When the baby was born, Chester promised himself he’d give the kid a proper talking–to about all the grief he’d caused his father and older siblings.
But this child also gave Chester a chance–a legitimate reason to bring Celestine back into the family.
He did the math. Three months along. The baby would start to show soon.
Judging by Celestine’s behavior, she hadn’t even realized she was pregnant yet.
Such a scatterbrained mom.
Once the baby arrived, he’d make sure she paid for all the grief she’d put him through these past weeks.
But then again–he was a man; he could let these little things go.
Before her pregnancy was obvious, he’d wait for her to realize the truth herself.
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Eventually, she’d come back to her senses and admit she was wrong. He wouldn’t make things too hard for her.
At most, he’d give her the cold shoulder for a few months and, when she finally came to him in tears, forgive her.
A weight lifted off his chest, and Chester felt lighter than he had in weeks.
“Young Master, bad news! Mrs. Celestine pushed Young Master Raymond into the pool!”
“What?!”
After saying goodbye to the priest, Celestine wandered alone down the quiet corridors of the hotel, seeking a breath of fresh air.
At the end of the hallway, she was surprised to find a secluded private pool.
She crouched at the pool’s edge, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a small shadow fell beside her.
She turned in surprise and saw Raymond’s little face, streaked with tears. “Mom, you finally came to see me?”
Celestine’s heart softened for a moment.
But memories of what he’d done and said flashed through her mind. She gently shook her head. “No, Raymond. I’m only here for your great–grandfather’s birthday. Once it’s over, I’m leaving.”
Raymond stretched out a small, scarred hand, his cheeks wet with tears. “Why, Mom? Why are you doing this to me? Did you lie when you said I was your favorite? Do you know what it’s like living here all alone? Every night in a dark room, choking down disgusting medicine, getting my hands beaten by the tutors? I think about you every day, but you never think about me.”
His plaintive words made Celestine’s resolve waver.
He was her flesh and blood, after all.
But this couldn’t go on.
“Raymond, you brought this on yourself. Even if you’re still young, you have to take responsibility for your actions.”
She bit her lip, reaching out to comfort him.
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But just then, the hurt in Raymond’s eyes suddenly turned to something darker–resentment, cold and unfamiliar.
“I hate you, Mom!”
Without another word, he turned and hurled himself into the deep end of the pool.
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