Through the floor–to–ceiling windows of Portside City, an unmistakable hint of displeasure flickered across his strikingly handsome face.
He glanced at his new phone but ultimately didn’t dial the number at the top of his contacts list. Last time at the church, his phone–and the SIM card–had been smashed to pieces.
He’d originally intended to let Celestine know.
After all, she was still his wife.
But over the past few years, his indulgence seemed to have spoiled her, made her a little too headstrong for his liking.
Chester decided it wouldn’t hurt her to learn a lesson.
Celestine, however, was completely unaware of his thoughts.
After a night of sound sleep, she returned to the Fordham Group and handed in her resignation.
The process was smooth and simple.
When Chester had first arranged for her to join the company, it was only in a minor role; hardly anyone at Fordham Group.knew who she really was.
So as soon as she finished handing over her responsibilities, she could walk away without a fuss.
your
When word got out that she was quitting, a colleague couldn’t help but comment, “It’s for kids, isn’t it? At that age–what, four or five?-they’re so clingy, and you treat them like treasures. You used to have their photos all over your desk, and even your necklace has their little faces.”
Celestine paused.
She loved Chester, and of course, she loved their two children. Even separated by thousands of miles, she’d always cared deeply for Celia and Raymond.
Even so…
She shook her head and smiled faintly. “It’s got nothing to do with them.”
It was the simple truth.
Fordham Group was a massive company, with projects overseas, but it dealt in construction materials and real estate–not her area at all.
Back when she was Chester’s wife, she’d never had to think about a career, not with the Fordham family looming so large in her life.
But now that she’d chosen divorce, she had to choose her own path.
Celestine lowered her gaze to her phone, where an ad for the National Chic Gala–A World of Fragrance–flashed across the screen.
Perfume–blending, tea–curation.
And…
A showcase of contemporary design.
Suddenly, she felt a spark of interest.
A moment later, she texted her cousin, Pete Selwyn: “Could you help me get a ticket for this?”
Pete replied almost instantly: “Of course, no problem. But aren’t you always busy? Between looking after the Fordham family and your kids, do you even have time?”
“I do,” Celestine replied after a moment. “I’m divorced.”
Pete was silent for a second.
“Wait, really?” he finally blurted out. “From the Fordham family?”
The Fordham family–wealthy enough to build a private playground for their grandchildren in the middle of Portside City, and strict enough that only their own grandkids were allowed to play in
- it.
It went without saying.
Back when Celestine lost both her parents, if her grandfather hadn’t done the Fordham family a favor, they never would have forced Chester to marry a professor’s daughter.
Even if her grandfather, Luther Selwyn, was a renowned scholar.
“If it wasn’t working, I left,” Celestine said with a small smile.
Pete couldn’t decide if he felt sorry or relieved for her. All he could do was sigh. “But can you really let go of Celia and Raymond?”
Celestine glanced at her phone.
After the children returned to Portside City, she’d made sure they each had a phone–just in case they missed her and wanted to call.
But this past year, unless she reached out first, neither of them ever called her.
They had a powerful family behind them, a mother they chose for themselves. Why should she cling to the idea of blood ties?
www
Meanwhile, back in Portside City.
Inside the Fordham manor.
Chapter 5
The family nutritionist gently reminded, “Raymond, Celia, did you forget what your mother told you? No picking at your food. You need healthy fats if you want to grow up strong, and too many sweets aren’t good for you.”
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