Chapter 178
Celestine looked at Chester as if she’d just heard the worst joke of the day.
“You really think this is about guilt by association, Mr. Fordham?” She set her paintbrush down, her icy gaze pinning him in place.
Chester shifted uncomfortably. “I’m just a regular man, Celly. I get jealous. I want my wife to be mine, and only mine. I hope you can understand that.”
A year ago, if Chester had spoken to her like this, Celestine would have been over the moon–secretly thrilled, impossible to hide her delight.
She’d always been easy to please, and even easier to fool herself into happiness.
It always looked like Chester was the first to compromise, but in the end, it was Celestine who yielded every time.
Picking up her brush again, she began adding color to the little turtle on her canvas. “If I didn’t remember you instinctively reaching for another woman when the lights went out, I might actually be moved by what you just said, Mr. Fordham.”
Chester’s face darkened. “Celly, that was an accident. Joanna’s just terrified of the dark, you-”
He stopped himself. You can’t just ignore someone else’s feelings because of your own issues. That would be selfish.
But as his father’s stern face flashed through his mind, he swallowed the rest of his
words.
Without a flicker of emotion, Celestine mixed green dye on her palette. Even if he hadn’t finished, she knew exactly what he’d been about to say–another excuse for that poor, fragile first love of his.
“I’m busy. Why don’t you wait for me in the break room?” Celestine’s tone made it clear she wanted him gone.
Chester gave in. “Alright. But don’t take too long.”
He walked off toward the nearest break room. As soon as he pushed open the frosted glass door, he found himself face–to–face with two women, both staring at him in shock.
“Alright, everyone knows how to paint little turtles now, right?” Celestine finished
רו
Chapter 178
the coloring lesson.
A group of rowdy kids nodded in unison.
“You’re amazing! This is the best turtle I’ve ever drawn!”
“Will you come back, miss? I want to learn more! My dad can pay you!”
“Miss Celestine, can we have another class? Please?”
Their cheerful voices tumbled over each other, and Celestine couldn’t help but smile
at their enthusiasm.
Back in college, she’d worked as an art teacher for a while to help cover her expenses. The kids she taught then were just as sweet and earnest as this bunch.
But then the government cracked down on after–school tutoring. Someone reported the art club, and just like that, she lost her first decent–paying, easy job…
“Well, look at you, Celly. Still teaching the next generation, just like old times.”
Joanna sauntered into the studio, dressed head–to–toe in the latest designer
fashion.
Celestine barely glanced at her before starting to pack up her things.
The kids began whispering among themselves.
Joanna didn’t seem bothered by the cold reception. “Celestine, pretending not to hear doesn’t make your problems go away.”
She stepped right up to Celestine and put a manicured hand on her easel. “Don’t forget: yesterday at the restaurant, Chester only said those things to save face. You’d better keep your act together, or…”
–“Or what?” Celestine tilted her head, sizing her up with a cool look.
Joanna let out a low, cruel laugh, her eyes sharp as knives. “Or I’ll make sure you lose everything you have–your reputation, your place in the Fordham family–you’ll be finished.”
“Wow! She looks just like a wicked witch! Her face is so scary!”
“Quick, draw her! She’s the perfect villain–look at that expression!”
“Why is she so mean? Is Miss Celestine going to be okay?”
The kids whispered loudly enough for Joanna to hear, but she just sneered.
“Still teaching these hopeless cases? I thought college would’ve taught you a
2/3
1417
Chapter 170.
lesson.”
