Cella burled her face In Joanna’s arms, her sobs coming in ragged gasps. Every word Joanna spoke seemed to reach straight into her heart.
Of course, in this whole world, only Miss Sinclair truly understood her.
Miss Sinclair could never be the wicked stepmother the teacher warned her about!
Now Dad was about to become just as awful as Mom had–why did things have to be like this?
Chester watched his daughter’s tear–streaked face, and his frustration softened. “You spoil her too much,” he said, but there was no real bite to it.
Joanna pressed her lips together in a gentle smile. “Blame me, then. But Chester, I really don’t feel comfortable leaving Celia like this. Why don’t you let her stay with me for a while? My current film is almost wrapped up, so I won’t be as busy as before. With me around, at least she’ll have some security.”
At the mention of Joanna taking her away, Celia’s crying quieted a little.
So that was why Miss Sinclair hadn’t brought her along before–she really had been too busy.
Eyes shining with tears, Celia gazed up at Joanna, her heart full of gratitude.
Joanna smiled warmly down at her and wiped away her tears. “No more tears, little kitten. How about I come pick you up, hmm?”
Celia’s mouth curled up in a tentative smile and she started to nod-
But then she hesitated, remembering her father hadn’t agreed yet.
With pleading eyes, she turned to Chester.
In the end, Chester could only sigh and relent. “Joanna, I appreciate it. Thank you.”
If only Celestine were half as understanding as Joanna, maybe this house wouldn’t feel so fractured.
“It’s no trouble,” Joanna replied sweetly. “Chester’s daughter is my daughter too. And I really do like having Celia with me.”
First, she needed to get this little tag–along out of the way.
Otherwise, she might ruin everything Joanna had planned.
1/3
18:50
Once she and Chester finally crossed that line, once she had a child bi
Well, then…
t
Joanna glanced down at the girl in her arms, her smile never quite reaching her eyes.
***
After leaving the Fordham estate, Celestine finally saw the news online–Mirabelle Remington had publicly spoken out for her.
She was genuinely surprised.
After serving as Mirabelle’s design consultant last time, Denton had followed up several times, hoping she’d take on more.
Celestine had thought it over and ultimately declined.
She didn’t want to act out of obligation, for one thing.
And then there was Zeke–that insufferable pest. If he found out she was working with Mirabelle, he’d only stir up more trouble.
She had no desire to invite chaos.
So, through Denton, she sent word to Mirabelle: it was just a small favor, nothing to
fuss about.
She’d assumed that was the end of it. She hadn’t expected Mirabelle to go so far in
return.
Moved, Celestine dialed Denton. As luck would have it, Mirabelle was right there with her agent.
Celestine thanked her in person.
“Miss Selwyn, I should be the one thanking you–it was nothing. Without you that day, who knows where I’d be now.”
“And, by the way, I saw Seabay’s new release featuring your designs. At first, I wanted you as my consultant because you saved me. But now, I genuinely love your style.”
“If you’re willing, I’d really like to work with you. Maybe you’ll reconsider?”
Mirabelle’s words rang with sincerity.
Celestine could tell she truly meant it.
“All right,” she said. “Let me think it over and I’ll get back to you soon.”
They didn’t chat much longer before the call ended.
Meanwhile, the online rumors about Chester and Celestine had vanished overnight, scrubbed clean.
Joanna, one of the parties at the center, had even announced two new luxury brand endorsements–on par with Seabay’s.
Celestine understood immediately.
This was Chester’s way of compensating his “one that got away.”
