Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 145

As the last traces of air slipped away, Raymond was struck by a thought—one he'd never considered from the very beginning.

Miss Sinclair had forgotten to tell him… how to save himself.

The edges of his vision blurred. Terror clawed at him, and his hands flailed desperately for anything to hold onto.

He wanted to live.

He had to live!

"Cough—cough—cough—"

A gush of water burst from his chest, and he gasped for air.

Slowly, Raymond's eyes fluttered open. Celestine, soaked to the skin, hovered over him, her face alight with relief. "Raymond, you're awake!"

"Mom…"

The word slipped out, his mind a blank slate.

As consciousness returned, sluggish thoughts began to form. He'd nearly died just now. His mother had saved him.

But soon, he'd need to keep lying—to say it was his mom who'd pushed him into the water.

Yet…

He parted his lips, wanting to say something to Celestine.

Suddenly, a noisy crowd swarmed the edge of the pool.

Leading the charge, Dahlia wailed with abandon. "My darling boy! Oh, my precious! Granny's here—are you alright?"

Celestine was jostled aside, left disheveled and stranded beyond the throng.

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