It felt as if the moment he let go, she would vanish from the world.
Celestine slowly pried open his desperate grip, one finger at a time, her gaze icy and her words merciless. “Sweetheart, your mother died the moment she fell into the pool. She’s been gone a long time.”
Raymond, hearing the old wound reopened, broke down completely. Tears streamed down his face.
“Mom, I’m sorry! I really am! Please, forgive me! I promise I won’t do it again!”
Celestine gently stroked his forehead. “Forgiveness is God’s domain, darling. Your mother… she never got the chance.”
Raymond’s sobs grew even louder, wracking his small body.
“No! Please, don’t go! Mom, don’t leave me!”
After a round of curious, probing stares, everyone finally realized that the woman in red before them–rumored to be a ghost–was, in fact, very much alive.
Dahlia’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment as the truth dawned. “What exactly are you trying to pull here?”
At that moment, the commotion outside drew everyone’s attention.
Luther Selwyn, upon hearing whispers about a woman in red causing a scene at the door, immediately strode out with a grave expression.
His cane, raised to shoo away the supposed troublemaker, clattered to the floor.
A single tear slid down Luther’s weathered cheek.
With a trembling voice, he managed, “Celly…”
Celestine turned at the sound.
In that instant, her eyes filled with tears.
It hadn’t been long since she’d last seen him, but her grandfather already looked so much thinner–his cheeks almost hollow.
A sob broke free. “Grandpa!”
Unlike the other guests, who shrank back in fear, Luther stepped forward, hope and joy mingling on his face.
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13:45
Chapter
“Celly, darling, it’s all right. Grandpa’s here!”
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Celestine rushed into his arms, her voice choked with emotion. “I’m so sorry, Grandpa. I never meant to hurt you.”
Only when he felt her warm embrace did Luther realize this was no dream.
His precious granddaughter was alive. She was alive!
Overwhelmed with joy, Luther wept openly. “Celly, it’s all my fault. I should have known sooner–I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
Celestine shook her head again and again, unable to speak.
After a while, Alistair came rushing in, out of breath.
“Celly–you’re alive!”
Supporting her grandfather, Celestine nodded, meeting Alistair’s worried gaze.
“This is wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!” The sickly pallor on Alistair’s face seemed to fade as hope returned to his eyes.
“Hurry, we have to tell Chester the good news!”
“Celly, where have you been all this time? Why didn’t you contact Grandpa? We’ve all been so worried!” Alistair’s voice was gentle and full of concern.
Meeting his kind eyes, Celestine’s resolve hardened. “Alistair, I came back not just to clear up this misunderstanding, but also… to divorce Chester.”
Alistair’s smile faltered. “Celly, tell me–did that scoundrel Chester bully you? Just say the word and I’ll set him straight!”
“Dad, Chester has done nothing but care for her! He’s done everything for her, even put himself in harm’s way, and you still side with an outsider!” Dahlia snapped, glaring at Celestine. “Don’t think just because you gave the Fordham family two children, you can act high and mighty! Do you have any idea how much the Fordhams have spent trying to find you–well into the millions! And after all your secrecy, you have the nerve to talk about divorce?! You’re nothing but ungrateful! What have we ever done to deserve this from you?”
Celestine ignored Dahlia’s fury.
Her calm, unwavering gaze was fixed on the man who now stood at the head of this household.
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