Boom-
Thunder crashed outside, sudden and sharp.
Celestine frowned. “Let’s do this another time. It’s about to rain.”
Lance’s disappointment was obvious. “Alright.”
“But,” Celestine teased, “if you’re scared, I could stay with you a little longer.”
She’d done her homework on him–this was the kind of man who hated being pitied, couldn’t stand anyone’s charity.
Unless he asked for it himself.
“No need. You should go,” Lance said quickly, then added, “I’ll look forward to next time, as long as Miss Selwyn is here of her own free will.”
Celestine arched a brow. “Mr. Blake, you’re reading too much into this.”
Lance smiled faintly, but didn’t reply.
He was doing it on purpose, dropping those ambiguous lines that made people second–guess, left them tangled up in their own thoughts.
As she turned to leave, Celestine paused at the door.
She doubled back to his bedside, rummaged through her bag, and set an apple on the nightstand.
“Sometimes you talk in your sleep. Apples are supposed to help with that–maybe you’ll get some real rest tonight.”
She looked up and caught the surprised look in Lance’s eyes, and gave him a quick, gentle smile.
Before he could say a word, she slipped out of the room.
Lance stared at the apple, the corners of his mouth twitching into a barely–there smile.
What kind of trick was this?
Had she really stayed up all night?
Or… had she overheard something?
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But instead of worrying she might have caught his sleep–talking, Lance found himself much more interested in the apple she’d left behind.
As Celestine walked away, she caught a glimpse of Lance’s pinky finger curling in nervousness. Amusing, she thought.
Passing by the maternity ward, Celestine slowed her pace.
Her conversation with Gideon still lingered, ending on a question left unanswered.
She sighed softly.
A strange feeling twisted inside her.
Silently cursing herself, Celestine made for the exit.
But as she turned the next corner, she nearly bumped straight into Gideon–his arms wrapped around a girl she’d never seen before.
The girl’s long, straight black hair and flowing bohemian dress made it clear she wasn’t one of the expectant mothers from earlier.
The two of them were talking, Gideon’s brow furrowed in a way that was all too familiar–except this time, he looked nervous.
Celestine’s heart clenched.
So even Gideon wasn’t immune to the age–old story of men cheating. Wasn’t it always the same?
How could they carry on so shamelessly…
Was there even room for misunderstanding here?
Celestine reminded herself it was none of her business.
But still, the sting of it was hard to ignore.
They’d already split up.
She tightened her grip on the lunchbox and forced herself to walk on.
“Miss Selwyn?”
Gideon recognized her instantly, standing near the wall with the food container in hand–a sight he knew all too well.
Celestine didn’t stop.
But his voice drifted after her, low and cool.
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Chapter 230
“Miss Selwyn, found yourself another savior already?”
Celestine stiffened, turning to face him.
Gideon’s handsome features were harsh now–gone was the easy charm he’d
shown the expectant mothers, or the careful gentleness he’d just offered the young woman beside him.
Now he was cold, almost daring her to answer back.
She didn’t speak, but Gideon felt a sharp ache, like a thorn in his chest.
It had only been three days since their separation.
His older brother and sister–in–law had just returned from overseas, leaving him busier than usual–just enough time for someone else to slip in.
Gideon’s gaze lingered on the lunchbox in her hand, his voice laced with warning. “Miss Selwyn, don’t forget–you’re still a married woman. Don’t go getting mixed up with just anyone. This is a critical time in your divorce. If word gets out, it could ruin your reputation, and that won’t help you when it comes to the settlement. Next time, don’t bother with all this. Just wire the money–it’s faster, and a lot less trouble.”
So that’s what he thought of her…
Celestine couldn’t help but remember the days not so long ago, when she’d fussed over him, bringing him homemade soup, hoping for a word of thanks.
That thought stung, and she couldn’t help but ask aloud.
Gideon, caught off guard by his own words being thrown back at him, looked positively frigid.
Ha. He’d only meant to needle her a little, and now she’d turned it right back on him.
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