The children’s voices rang out cheerfully, “Then we hope Miss Sinclair and Dad will always be happy and healthy!”
Joanna grinned, teasing, “Not going to ask for a blessing for your mom, too?“-
“Mommy’s mean! She’s always picking on you. God won’t bless her!” The younger one replied with a giggle.
Celestine felt a chill run through her, as if she’d been plunged into icy water.
For a long moment, she stood there in silence, watching her husband and children praying for Joanna in front of the church. That man–her husband for six years, the father of her children–was the one she’d loved so deeply. And yet, now, under the eyes of God, he was offering his care and prayers to another woman.
Suddenly, Celestine stood up and walked away without hesitation.
She had been stubborn for six years, waiting for Chester to come back to her. But all she got in return was his devotion to someone else.
Holding on any longer would only be humiliating herself.
Back at the old house, Celestine quietly packed up all her things. Then she sent Chester one final message: “Chester, let’s get a divorce.”
She left her wedding ring on the nightstand, called a cab, and headed straight for the airport without looking back.
***
After leaving the church, Chester took the children back home. The street outside was crowded, people coming and going, when suddenly his phone started to ring.
Just as Chester was about to check the message, a commotion erupted nearby.
“Stop! Thief!” someone shouted.
Before his bodyguards could react, Joanna was pushed by the crowd and stumbled right into Chester’s arms. His phone slipped from his hand and fell to the ground, trampled and shattered by the surging crowd.
“I’m so sorry, Chester–your phone…” Joanna said breathlessly.
Chester frowned for a split second, his tone dismissive. “It’s fine. I’ll just get a new one.”
He only used that phone to keep in touch with family, and the Fordhams weren’t exactly chatty. At most, Celestine would send him a message now and then. But her messages had never really mattered to him.
On the way home, the kids couldn’t contain their excitement.
1/2
Chapter 3
Celia, their daughter, tugged at his sleeve. “Dad, is Miss Sinclair really coming to stay with us in a few days? She promised to take me to the Candy Castle!”
Raymond, their son, looked up hopefully too.
“Yes, she’ll come,” Chester nodded.
Raymond hesitated, worry creasing his brow. “But Dad… Mom said the air at Candy Castle isn’t good for us. She won’t let us go. And… if Mom finds out Miss Sinclair’s staying with us, she’ll be upset…”
Chester replied gently, “Miss Sinclair is a trained doctor. She once saved my life. With her around, you’ll both be fine. Your mother won’t be here long anyway, and Miss Sinclair is only staying as a guest for a little while, to help you get better.”
Both children’s health had always been frail. Having Joanna around to help would surely make things better.
ooray!” the children cheered as they rushed into the house.
at once inside, they found something even more exciting–Mom was gone. She’d gone back to Oceanview City.
Chester noticed the wedding ring on the nightstand and paused in surprise. No matter how many arguments they’d had in their marriage, Celestine had never once taken off her ring–until
now.
She’d left without a word, leaving behind her wedding band. Was she upset because he’d been ignoring her again? He remembered how Celestine used to be gentle and patient, reserved in that old Oceanview City way. No matter how cold he was, she’d never lost her temper.
But even a saint has their limits.
Chester didn’t give it much thought. He tossed the ring aside carelessly. “Mrs. Fordham won’t be back for a while. Pack up her things. Get the guest room ready–Miss Sinclair will be staying with us in a few days.”
Celia and Raymond’s eyes lit up with delight.
2/2
