Chapter 15
She called in a young nurse to change her bandages. Half–awake, little Cynthia mistook her for someone else and clung to her, mumbling, “Mommy.”
“Thank you, Cynthia.” Celestine took the tissue the girl offered, and for the first time in days, a genuine smile lit up her face.
Cynthia Prescott suddenly covered her mouth, eyes wide. “Oh wow, Miss Angel, when you smile, you look just like a fairy–like you’re glowing! You should really smile more!”
Celestine’s smile grew even brighter at Cynthia’s unfiltered praise.
“But it’s a pity… My daddy already has a wife!” Cynthia shook her head dramatically, sighing like a tiny actress. Then, as if struck by inspiration, her eyes sparkled. “Wait! Miss Angel, why don’t you marry my uncle? He doesn’t have a wife yet!”
Celestine couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes crinkling as she gently brushed Cynthia’s hair with a small comb. “Cynthia, I’m already married.”
Cynthia’s face fell. “Oh? Miss Angel, you’re married? Well, that makes sense. You’re so
pretty–of course you’d have a husband. But… why hasn’t he come to see you? When my mom was sick, my dad stayed up all night at her bedside.”
This time, Cynthia was in the hospital because she’d gotten sick after flying back on short notice–her parents hadn’t made it back in time, so her uncle was left in charge. Unfortunately, her clueless dad hadn’t even realized his brother was away on a business trip.
Her grandfather had brought her dinner last night, arranged for a nurse to stay with her, then hurried home to his beloved garden.
Celestine’s smile faded slightly, Cynthia’s words echoing in her mind.
Last night, Chester must have stayed with Joanna the whole time.
That one phone call–he probably just called to lay blame.
Cynthia blinked up at Celestine, sitting obediently as Celestine stroked her hair. Miss Angel seemed sad again.
Was it because of her husband?
In the VIP suite, Celia and Raymond arrived early to visit Joanna. Chester hadn’t let them come last night–it was too late–so the two kids had spent the night anxiously checking in over video calls.
“Mom is so unfair,” Celia grumbled, clutching Joanna’s sleeve as she leaned over the bed. “I called her, but she wouldn’t admit she was wrong! She even blamed Miss Sinclair for wearing her clothes!”
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Chapter 15
Joanna glanced at Chester, who stood by the window, phone in hand, his expression
unreadable. She forced a smile. “Celia, Aunt Serena said she saw your mom with a man last night, outside the hospital. Maybe your mom was busy and didn’t mean what she said.”
“Busy?” Chester’s voice cut through the room, icy and hard as stone. He spat out the word with a bitter edge.
So that’s why Celestine hadn’t answered his calls last night–she’d been with another man.
Perfect.
Joanna’s face paled with anxiety. “Chester, Serena probably just saw something by accident. It could be a misunderstanding…”
Her voice trailed off as Chester’s expression darkened. Without another word, he strode out of the room, anger radiating from him, and dialed Celestine’s number again.
After several rings, she finally picked up.
“Where are you?”
“At the hospital.”
Chester’s lips twisted into a cold, humorless smile–Celia must have told her he was here.
“So you actually decided to show up, Mrs. Fordham. All finished with your busy schedule?”
Celestine frowned, confused. “What’s going on?”
His tone turned even icier. “Since you’re already at the hospital, drop the act. Room 506. Come
now.”
He hung up before she could answer.
Celestine knew that if she didn’t go in person, this would only get worse. Taking a steadying breath, she straightened her hospital gown.
Chester waited outside the room, growing impatient. Just as he was about to call her again, the door across the hall swung open with a soft click.
She appeared–so slight, her face pale as paper, struggling to hold up her IV.
Chester’s eyes flickered, his expression clouding with confusion and something unspoken.
Why… are you here?”
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