Joanna burst into the office, all her usual poise gone, her face drawn and pale with exhaustion.
“I know Celly’s death hit you hard. But I want to make it right–I owe her my life! Even if I died and went to hell, I’d still owe her! If someone still has to suffer, then let it be me. Please, let me help you finish this, just… don’t let Grandpa get hurt again!”
Her voice trembled with emotion.
Ever since that awful day, after Chester rushed her to the hospital, they hadn’t seen each other for quite a while.
Even when Joanna reached out, Chester’s replies were distant, almost mechanical.
Every time he saw her, Chester couldn’t help but recall the day Celestine’s tragedy unfolded. He still didn’t understand why Joanna had been there at all. There were so many things about that day he didn’t dare examine too closely.
But never for a moment had Chester considered letting Joanna step forward to bear the weight of this cruel, morally gray act. Even though, by every measure, she was the perfect candidate. Even in the chaos, she’d been just another innocent caught in the crossfire.
Celestine was already gone. The living shouldn’t have to pay the price.
“Joanna,” he said quietly, “I know you want to do something for her–for Grandpa. But this… it runs deeper than you know. I’ll find a way to handle it.”
His gaze was cold at first, but as he looked at her, something softened.
Joanna noticed the shift in him, her heart leaping with hope.
She bit her lip, tears streaming down as she rushed to Chester’s side, grabbing his sleeve. “Chester, I know you care about me. I swear, I’ll never have children of my own in this life. Let me be Celia and Raymond’s godmother. I’ll love them as if they were my own–please, don’t shut me out. Please?”
Chester had seen Joanna cry more times than he could count, but never like this. Never with such raw, aching desperation.
Gently, he raised his hand and brushed the tears from her cheek, his voice filled with regret. “Alright. From now on, you’re Celia and Raymond’s mom.’
He already owed Joanna more than he could repay.
13:44
After this was over, he’d spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to her Joanna broke down, sobbing with joy as she wrapped her arms around him.
She felt Chester’s body tense at her touch, and a flicker of something cold and calculating flashed in her eyes.
Damn it. Even now, after all this, he still can’t forget that bitch Celestine.
The Fordham family had pulled every string, spent a fortune, and even gone so far as to announce Chester’s marriage–all in their desperate search for Celestine.
Each move was another slap in Joanna’s face.
Her anger burned.
If they wanted Celestine so badly, she’d make sure they’d never find her. She paid a hefty sum for a corpse that matched Celestine’s build, arranging for it to be discovered along the river where the fishing boats passed every day–killing the Fordhams‘ last hope.
As for the real Celestine, let her rot forever in the cold, dark depths of the sea.
After that, Joanna spent yet more money tracking down the so–called Master Herschel, paying him to invent a story about a cursed fate.
And it worked like a charm.
The Fordhams would rather see another woman’s life cut short than let Raymond suffer even a little.
Chester’s attitude might have been ambiguous, but now that she’d stepped up to be the sacrificial lamb, she was sure the tension between them would finally disappear.
When the day of the real “wedding” arrived, she’d play her part perfectly–and maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be make–believe at all.
Joanna slipped her arms around Chester’s waist, tears in her eyes, but her smile sharp with calculation.
Celestine’s funeral took place at a small seaside chapel.
Chester and Joanna arrived early, slipping into a small room at the back of the church that had been decorated as a bridal suite.
Even Alistair, who had never liked Joanna, pulled her aside before the ceremony. you feel unwell, stop immediately. Chester will take you out–no matter what.”
“If
Chapter 209
Chapter 209
