Mirabelle wiped away silent tears at the corner of her eyes and responded in her own firm way: “Sorry, I’m really busy right now. I’m on a flight overseas–just text me if you need anything. We’ll talk later.”
The call cut off abruptly, the dial tone echoing in Zeke’s ear before he could brace himself.
It was the first time since they’d been together that Mirabelle, once so obedient and sweet, had flat–out defied him.
“Mirabelle!”
He called her again and again, hundreds of times, but all he got was the dead tone and then a message that her phone was switched off.
Furious, Zeke hurled his phone across the room. “Fine! Just wait till you get back. Don’t you dare beg me for forgiveness–don’t come crying on your knees!”
Fordham Estate.
Celestine walked into the gated community.
She paused for a moment, surprised to see that her fingerprint still unlocked the door to the marital home, but then she shrugged it off.
As she stepped inside, a shrill child’s wail echoed through the house.
“I don’t want to recite poetry! I don’t want to write! I don’t want to memorize all these
rules!”
“There are five more poems left. Once you finish, you can have dinner,” Ms. Brown. replied, unmoved.
From the entryway, Celia spotted Celestine standing in the doorway.
Mom!
Joy sparkled in her eyes. Her mother’s dramatic “running away from home” phase must be over–she was finally back to look after her!
And if Mom was home, there was no reason to put up with this old witch of a nanny any longer.
“You old witch! I’m calling the police! This is child abuse!” Celia shouted,
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Chapter 75
exaggerating for good measure, hoping her mother would leap to her defense and put Ms. Brown in her place.
She remembered the time in preschool when she’d fallen asleep by accident and the teacher had scolded her. She’d run straight to Celestine and tattled, and that very day, her mom had marched to school for a face–to–face with the teacher. After that, no one at school ever dared to speak harshly to her again.
Now, with Ms. Brown up against her nagging mom, Celia figured things were about to get interesting.
A wicked little smile flickered in her eyes.
Ms. Brown also noticed the figure in the doorway.
It took only a glance to recognize the true lady of the house.
Ms. Brown’s brow furrowed slightly. As far as she knew, the children’s biological mother was notorious for spoiling them, and any mother would find this scene intolerable. She braced for a confrontation–she’d have to explain herself, no doubt. She waited quietly for Celestine’s outburst, watching as she stepped into the living
room.
But as Celestine passed by, she simply offered Ms. Brown a polite smile, a subtle greeting, before silently heading up the stairs.
Celia was stunned.
Why hadn’t her mom said anything? That wasn’t possible!
“Mom!” she yelled, scrambling to chase after Celestine.
“Sit down.”
Lerner than before. Ms. Brown held her firmly by the shoulders, her voice eve. “Disrespecting your elders and breaking the rules? That’s five more essays tonight.” Celia’s lower lip trembled; she was on the verge of tears. But when she glanced up and caught Ms. Brown’s steely gaze, she swallowed her sobs.
She knew if she started crying, her homework would only double again.
Why hadn’t Mom stood up for her? Had she really forgotten about her? Tears welled up in her eyes.
Upstairs, Celestine walked straight to Chester’s study.
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Chapter 75
Back when they’d gotten married, Chester had taken both marriage certificates, not even letting her snap a photo as a keepsake.
Looking back now, it was clear–he’d always wanted to keep her identity as Mrs. Fordham hidden, probably to avoid upsetting the woman he truly loved.
Celestine searched the drawer where Chester usually kept official documents, but found nothing.
She remembered the last time he’d opened the safe to pull out their prenuptial agreement.
A hunch struck her.
She entered Joanna’s birthday as the password. The safe clicked open.
Celestine retrieved her copy of the marriage certificate, then lined up both certificates side by side, snapping photos and recording a video as evidence, just
in case.
After putting the other certificate back, her eyes caught sight of a yellowed, crumpled piece of paper in the corner, glued messily together.
It was the same prenuptial agreement she’d torn to shreds last time.
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