That old bastard actually took the money and ran!.
He didn’t dare breathe a word of this to Grandpa.
Pete couldn’t rest easy, so he stayed at the hospital, keeping vigil until now.
Alistair’s sharp eyes glinted as he spoke, “Pete, we’re all family here. The kids know they made a mistake. Celestine’s their mother, after all. Maybe we should ask her what she wants.”
Chester arrived with the doctor just then.
When he saw Celestine awake, his face lit up with relief–until he noticed Celestine clutching Pete’s sleeve, her eyes wide and clouded with confusion. “Pete, who are these people?”
The question hit the room like a bolt of lightning.
Dahlia finally snapped. “Celestine, what’s with this act? You don’t have to recognize us, but Celia and Raymond are your children!”
“I have children? Ma’am, are you joking?”
Celestine let out a disbelieving laugh. “From what I just heard, they saw me hurt and didn’t even help. Are you sure they’re really mine? That’s disgusting. If those were my kids, I’d rather have never had any.”
The room fell utterly silent–you could hear a pin drop.
Celia and Raymond’s eyes brimmed with tears they dared not shed. Their mother didn’t remember them, and deep down, they prayed she wouldn’t recall what happened yesterday, either.
Chester’s temper flared. “Doctor, what’s going on here?”
The doctor considered for a moment, then explained calmly, “She hit the back of her head when she fell. Memory loss and confusion are common after trauma like this. It’s a normal reaction as she wakes up. The family should avoid provoking her, or her condition could get worse.”
Everyone drew in a sharp breath.
So it was real–she’d lost her memory.
After a long silence, Alistair finally spoke. “Let’s all give Celestine some time to
rest.
Chapter 9:
With his words, the room quickly emptied, leaving only Chester and Pere benim
Chester fixed his gaze on Celestine’s uninjured eye, searching for any clue. Theres no one else here now. If you’re upset, you can talk to me.
Celestine rolled her eyes and sniffed awkwardly. “And who are you supposed to
be?”
Chester’s mouth tightened. “I’m your husband.”
She looked appalled, glancing at Pete for confirmation. “Seriously? My taste can’t be that bad.”
Pete shoved his hands into his pockets. “He’s lying. Don’t listen to him.”
Chester’s face darkened. “Pete, are you really going to join in with her nonsense?”
“Mr. Fordham, don’t forget what the doctor said–don’t agitate my sister, Pete shot back, raising his voice as well.
Chester bit back whatever he wanted to say and stormed out of the room.
Pete poured Celestine a glass of warm water.
She sipped it quietly, then murmured, “Pete, don’t tell Grandpa about any of this.” “Celly… did you remember something?” Pete asked, his voice cautious.
Celestine tapped her temple and shook her head. “I remember everything. The Fordham family disgusts me.”
“Chester refuses to sign the divorce papers, and as for Raymond and Celia, I want nothing more to do with them.”
The moment those two kids yanked her off the stool without a second thought, she’d given up on them for good.
They’d never seen her as their mother.
She could tell Alistair had come all this way just to protect them.
Now she understood–like father, like son. If the original is rotten, so is the copy.
Rotten to the core.
A bitter smile tugged at Celestine’s lips. “Once Chester and I are legally separated and the waiting period is over, I’ll file for divorce. Pete, you have to keep this a secret for me.”
As Pete looked at the once bright and hopeful little sister now pushed to the edge,
21:14
his heart ached.
“Celly, it’s my fault. Back then, I should’ve…”
