Celestine snatched up the yellowed paper, her red lips trembling.
Before she married Chester, she’d been full of hope for their life together.
He’d always been cold to her, but she believed even the iciest heart could melt eventually.
Back then, young and naive, she’d spent hours online searching for ways to win at man’s heart.
The advice poured in from strangers across the web.
In the end, she’d written out, word by word, this so–called “prenup“-which was really just a list of promises, a couple’s manifesto.
Rule one: The husband must hug his wife three times a day, without being asked.
Rule two: The husband should kiss his wife on the forehead before leaving.
Rule three: The husband must give his wife at least one genuine compliment every day.
Rule four: They should make love at least four times a week.
Celestine couldn’t bring herself to read any further.
Shame and anger burned through her.
Humiliated. Furious. Chester had to be out of his mind.
“This is the urgent agreement you wanted me to sign?” she blurted, unable to believe it. For a moment, she honestly wondered if Chester had mixed something
- up.
She still remembered the first time she’d shown him this list–he’d barely glanced at it before tossing it straight into the trash.
She could still picture the look of utter disgust on his face.
“Don’t ever let me see this garbage again.”
Celestine just couldn’t understand it.
How had he dug it out of the safe after all these years?
There was no doubt–it was her handwriting.
“Of course,” Chester replied softly, eyes glinting as he stood and strode over to her. “Isn’t this what you always wanted? Within reason, I’m willing to meet some of your needs.”
“But you need to know when to stop. Don’t play these little games in front of the kids, the family, or anyone else.”
“I’m not interested in playing along anymore.”
“Sign this, and this farce ends here. Tonight, you’ll move back home, and we’ll start living by the agreement.” Chester pressed down on her shoulder, his gaze growing darker.
A chill ran through Celestine. She jerked away from his hand, glaring. “Chester, you think all this is just some manipulative game?“.
He looked down at her, all arrogance and pride. “Isn’t it?”
“There’s never been a moment,” she spat, “when you’ve disgusted me more.”
He’d lured her back with a vague divorce agreement, only to shove this twisted “prenup” in her face, as if tossing her scraps, as if humiliating her, as if daring her to stop hoping.
It was revolting.
Fingers shaking, Celestine tore the brittle paper to shreds.
Chester’s expression went icy, rage simmering beneath the surface. “What are you doing now? My patience isn’t permission for you to push your luck!”
Celestine refused to waste another word.
Still shaking with anger, she grabbed her purse, stormed to the door, and slammed it behind her.
If he wouldn’t sign, fine. Once they’d been separated long enough, she could file for divorce herself.
Behind her, Chester’s shout echoed down the hallway. “Celestine! If you walk out that door, don’t ever think of coming back!”
He’d already given so much ground–what on earth was she throwing this tantrum
for?
Celestine didn’t look back; her pace only quickened..
21:13
Chester’s fist slammed down on the table.
Fine, if she was so determined, he’d just have to see how long her stubborn pride
could last.
Outside the door, two little faces pressed close to the crack, eavesdropping.
“Is Mom really moving back home? If she does, what about Miss Sinclair?” whispered one.
“Mom and Dad sound really mad. Are they fighting?” the other said, eyes wide.
Celestine swept out, fury in every stride.
As she stepped outside, the two little bodies lost their balance and tumbled backwards.
“Ahh!”
She caught them by their collars, saving them from a fall.
Forcing herself to soften, Celestine set her son and daughter down and looked them over. “What are you two doing out here?”
Chapter 37
