Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 177

Outside, the wind howled and rain battered the windows, casting wild shadows across the room—Celestine's mind brimmed with images, inspiration blooming in the storm's chaos.

The hotel had its own private gallery.

Gathering her sketchbook and pencils, Celestine headed straight for the studio.

As thunder rolled outside, she let the storm seep into her work; under her hand, the painting took on a haunting, apocalyptic edge.

It wasn't until she paused for a break that she realized several children had gathered around, quietly watching her draw.

"Wow, you're amazing!" one little girl exclaimed. "All these beautiful ladies in such lovely dresses—I wish I could have dresses like that! But I can't even draw…"

The girl's voice trailed off, disappointment in her eyes.

Celestine smiled gently and ruffled the girl's soft hair. "It's not hard at all. If you want to learn, I can teach you. How about it?"

The children's faces lit up. In unison, they cheered, "Yes!"

So, Celestine spent the afternoon guiding her small students, showing them how to hold pencils, how to shape a figure.

Suddenly, an unexpected visitor stormed in.

Elena, arms loaded with shopping bags and parcels, entered the gallery. The moment she saw Celestine's face, she fought the urge to hurl everything she was carrying at her.

This woman actually had the leisure to sit here and paint!

"Miss Selwyn, we need to talk." Elena clutched her gifts, forcing her voice into polite restraint, though bitterness seeped through.

Celestine kept her eyes on the child's hand, adjusting its grip on the pencil, and didn't respond.

If Elena didn't know Celestine was prone to ignoring people, she'd have thought the woman was deaf.

Swallowing her irritation, Elena pressed on, trying for sincerity. "I'm here to apologize. Please don't be upset. Everything I said before—I didn't mean any of it. I was just angry…"

Celestine paused, finally glancing up. "I understand. I'm a bit busy right now—why don't you wait for me in the lounge?"

Relief swept over Elena, though it was quickly replaced by a flicker of annoyance.

Why did Celestine prefer teaching a bunch of kids to hear her, Miss Langley, pour out her heartfelt apology?

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