Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 11

Celestine frowned, glancing back at the woman behind her. "It's not what you think."

Serena gave a cold, dismissive laugh.

Her gaze slid from Celestine to the man in the car, her voice dripping with insinuation. "So this is what's keeping you busy these days? Since you left my brother, your standards have gone downhill."

Back then, Celestine had drugged her brother and crawled into his bed—scandalous, underhanded. Yet her brother still tried to protect her reputation, married her in haste because of the baby, and left Joanna suffering in silence.

And now, after just a few years, was Celestine already cozying up to another man the moment she got the chance? The very thought of it made Serena sick.

She looked at Celestine with open disgust. "Don't forget who you are, Celestine. If Celia and Raymond find out what you've been up to, do you really think they'll still want you as their mother? If you want to chase after other men, I suggest you divorce my brother sooner rather than later!"

Celestine's lashes trembled, bitterness spreading through her chest.

All these years as part of the Fordham family, she'd been labeled promiscuous, forced to cut off her entire social circle. But that night… she'd been the one drugged, a victim herself.

When she tried to call the police, Chester had pulled her into his arms, his body feverishly warm. "I'll take responsibility," he'd said—just one sentence that led to that reckless night, and to six years of marriage that felt more like a sentence than a sanctuary.

His idea of ‘taking responsibility' was a marriage contract, trapping her behind the locked doors of the Fordham estate. Yet, pathetically, she'd told herself this was enough.

A hollow smile flickered on Celestine's lips, self-mockery twisting her thoughts. She spoke quietly, "As you wish. I've already filed for divorce."

Serena's eyes widened for a split second, then she scoffed. "I'll believe it when I see it."

Celestine, that spineless little vine of a woman, daring to ask for a divorce? What a joke. If that ever actually happened, Serena would dance naked down Main Street all night long.

Without another word, Serena stalked off and climbed into her car.

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