“Chester, what gives you the right?” Celestine’s eyes flashed coldly, her hand clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Her grandfather–a renowned scholar–had poured ten years of his life into that mountain landscape painting, all to give it to her as a wedding present.
But because the frame was too large, she’d accidentally left it behind during her move, never getting the chance to retrieve it.
Joanna had dropped hints to Chester before–she was about to shoot a period drama and wanted to borrow the painting for the set.
No matter how desperately she loved him, Celestine would never give up that painting.
She never imagined Chester would stoop so low, pulling the rug out from under her just for this.
Joanna, all but giddy inside, still feigned reluctance. “If Celly really loves that painting, I’ll just borrow it. Once filming wraps, I’ll give it back.”
Chester waved her off. “It’s just a painting. I’ll have someone deliver it to the set tomorrow. Granddad won’t make a fuss, and I’ll explain it to him.”
Celestine’s voice trembled with outrage. “Chester, who gave you the right to use my things as your bargaining chip?”
Chester met her gaze, his tone chilling. “Celestine, don’t be unreasonable.”
“Mom, Miss Sinclair says if you make a mistake, you have to fix it! Even if it’s your own clothes, you’re still responsible!” Raymond chimed in primly.
Celestine couldn’t help but laugh, anger sharp in her voice. “So if I put out rat poison, a stray dog eats it and dies, that’s my fault too?”
Raymond fell silent.
The scent left on the dress had been because he and his sister had begged their mother to spray it.
Did that make them the rats?
Suddenly, Celia lunged at Celestine, wild as a cornered animal, and shoved her–hard. “You’re horrible! Stay away from Miss Joanna! Don’t come near us!”
Caught off guard and already weak, Celestine stumbled back a few steps.
A small, warm hand caught her just in time, steadying her.
Cynthia peeked out from behind her, wide–eyed. “Miss Angel, are you the other woman?”
“My daddy says only ‘the other woman‘ gets hated by the kids. Kids always love their own mommy best. If daddy has a mistress, he’s no better than the garbage in the trash can!”
At her words, the four adults‘ faces changed in an instant.
Celestine gave a bitter smile. “I’m the wife.”
“Oh my gosh!” Cynthia’s eyes went wide as she pointed at Raymond and Celia. “Then are they… illegitimate?”
“Shut up! You’re the bastard!” Celia snapped, mortified, and lunged at her.
This time, Celestine was ready. She caught Celia’s arm firmly. “Celia, who taught you to be so rude?”
Celia burst into tears. “Mom, you’re taking a stranger’s side over mine! You don’t love me anymore!”
Cynthia blinked. “But you just took that lady’s side over your own mom. Doesn’t that mean you don’t love her?”
Celia was stunned, at a loss for words, and glared at Cynthia. “Mind your own business! She’s my mom!”
Raymond added, “Miss Sinclair only got sick because she wore mom’s dress. That was mom’s fault. We’re siding with what’s right, not just with family.”
“Ohhh…” Cynthia nodded sagely, motioning to her neck and chirping, “So Miss Angel forced the lady to wear it, and if she didn’t, she’d be-” She drew her finger across her throat, eyes shining with drama.
The twins exchanged a confused glance.
That… wasn’t quite right.
Raymond mumbled, “Miss Sinclair asked to wear it herself.”
Joanna’s face twitched with annoyance.
Cynthia put her hands behind her back, trying to imitate the grown–ups. “Oh, so she’s the other woman after all.”
Celestine couldn’t help but laugh.
This little Cynthia was really standing up for her.
“Enough!”
2/2
