Chapter 287
Chester froze, stunned.
He knew St. Aurelius College wasn’t Celestine’s first choice, but the place enf meant a great deal to her. And now, she’d gone out of her way to ensure they w never cross paths again–cutting off even the slightest chance of a reunion
A wave of bitterness swept through him. “Celly, you really are ruthless”
“Ruthless?” Celestine’s smile faded. “If I hadn’t met Mr. Fordham, I’d probably be thriving in the field I’m passionate about, not stuck at home every day waiting on your entire family–playing the dutiful, uncomplaining housekeeper, serving up home–cooked dinners, all for nothing.”
The wedge between her and Chester was more than just Joanna. It was their very natures–fundamentally incompatible. Chester had never truly trusted her. He was proud, fiercely protective of his dignity.
If only he’d ever bothered to ask why she’d married him. Maybe then their resentment over that wedding would never have festered for so long. Long enough that, with Chester always away, Celestine often felt more like a widow than a wife
Chester’s expression was conflicted, pain flickering in his eyes. For a long moment. he struggled for words. Finally, he managed, “I’m sorry.”
Celestine felt nothing. Regret, arriving this late, was worth less than dirt. So was an apology. When she’d needed him most, Chester had always been nowhere in sight.
Even if it hadn’t been Joanna, there would have been someone else. The cracks in their marriage were bound to split wide open eventually. The real question had always been: who would sacrifice, who would change?
Now, she was simply tired.
A flicker of hurt crossed Chester’s gaze, gone as quickly as it came. Outside, rain began to patter against the windshield.
Celestine frowned, eyeing the road. “Slow down.”
But Chester seemed not to hear her, his foot pressing harder on the accelerator, the car picking up speed.
She turned to stare at him. “Chester, calm down! We’re still on the road.”
“I am calm, Celly.” His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white. He’d
slammed the brake to the floor, but the car showed no signs of slowing.
1/3
19:47
For the first time, Celestine realized something was terribly wrong. “Chester, listen to me–stay calm. I’m calling for help.”
Ahead, the ramp to the overpass loomed closer. The morning rush had ended, but the highway was still thick with Monday traffic. Celestine’s mind reeled at the thought of their car hurtling onto that overpass at this speed.
In a daze, she thought she saw her parents–gone for years–standing just beyond the glass. Had they ever felt this helpless? This desperate?
“Celly, buckle up!” Sweat streaked down Chester’s temple.
He’d only jumped into Celestine’s car at the last minute. Was this someone’s idea of
a cruel setup? Did they think that, now the divorce was official, they could do whatever they wanted?
The ramp was seconds away. At the last possible moment, Chester yanked the emergency brake and wrenched the steering wheel, sending the car careening into a side lane lined with freshly planted shrubs.
The world spun wildly. Somewhere, glass shattered with a violent crash.
Celestine’s mind went blank.
A split second later, a delivery truck barreled straight toward them.
“Watch out!”
A piercing blare filled her ears. All she saw was a dark shape lunging toward her–then nothing but blackness.
In the darkness, two familiar silhouettes appeared: her mother and father, faces etched with worry.
go back.”
Tears welled in Celestine’s eyes. “But… Mom, Dad, I miss you so much.”
Her father spoke first. “Celly, you don’t belong here. You have to
back. Her mother smiled gently and nudged her forward. “Silly girl, you have to go There’s someone important still waiting for you.”
Celestine’s heart ached.
She opened her eyes to a blinding white ceiling and the sharp sting of antiseptic.
Her grandfather’s anxious face slowly came into focus, with Pete hovering by his side.
19:47 0.
“Grandpa, Celly’s awake!”
10.47
