Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 111

Celestine's eyes glittered coldly as she pulled her lips into a thin, sardonic line. "The accident that night six years ago… It's the one thing I regret most in my life. If I'd known things would turn out like this, if I'd known from the start what you were really after, I would've kicked you out the very first time you came near me."

Her voice was flat, stripped of emotion.

Yet it tore away the last pretense between her and Chester.

Chester stood frozen for a long moment, struggling to process her words. His breath came heavier, harsher.

Celestine didn't care what he was thinking. She turned on her heel, ready to leave.

But Chester's voice, frantic and furious, stopped her. "Celestine, you think divorce will solve everything? Don't be naïve, Mrs. Fordham. Think of your family!"

"If you mean Uncle Murdock and his lot, then I suppose I should thank Mr. Fordham for that," Celestine said, eyes closed.

He sneered. "Don't forget about your grandfather!"

Celestine whipped around and glared at him, her tone sharp as a blade. "Chester, if you so much as touch my grandfather, then I swear I'll take you down with me. My life isn't worth much, but dragging a billionaire CEO to hell with me? That's a bargain I'd take any day."

For the first time, Chester saw a fierce, almost reckless glint in her eyes.

"She's lost her mind," he muttered.

Maybe she had.

But the truth was, Chester was the one on the verge of losing it. Fuming, he stormed away first.

Silence reclaimed the night.

Gideon, who'd been watching from a distance, took in Celestine's disheveled state and finally spoke. "Come on, let's get you out of here."

Celestine hesitated, her nerves suddenly raw. She shrank back a few steps, wary.

"I'm not going to bite," Gideon said, lips pressed in a faint, wry smile.

He didn't push her to get in the car. Instead, he fetched a bottle of water and some tissues from the passenger seat and offered them to her.

Celestine kept her head down as she murmured a thank you.

"Sorry to trouble you again, Mr. Prescott. I must seem like a mess."

As she spoke, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, blue, triangular charm, pressing it into Gideon's hand. "I picked this up for you at a church a few days ago. I'd been looking for a chance to give it to you. They say it brings good luck."

"If it's so lucky, how come it didn't protect you?" Gideon replied, watching her face closely.

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