Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 178

Celestine looked at Chester as if she'd just heard the worst joke of the day.

"You really think this is about guilt by association, Mr. Fordham?" She set her paintbrush down, her icy gaze pinning him in place.

Chester shifted uncomfortably. "I'm just a regular man, Celly. I get jealous. I want my wife to be mine, and only mine. I hope you can understand that."

A year ago, if Chester had spoken to her like this, Celestine would have been over the moon—secretly thrilled, impossible to hide her delight.

She'd always been easy to please, and even easier to fool herself into happiness.

It always looked like Chester was the first to compromise, but in the end, it was Celestine who yielded every time.

Picking up her brush again, she began adding color to the little turtle on her canvas. "If I didn't remember you instinctively reaching for another woman when the lights went out, I might actually be moved by what you just said, Mr. Fordham."

Chester's face darkened. "Celly, that was an accident. Joanna's just terrified of the dark, you—"

He stopped himself. You can't just ignore someone else's feelings because of your own issues. That would be selfish.

But as his father's stern face flashed through his mind, he swallowed the rest of his words.

Without a flicker of emotion, Celestine mixed green dye on her palette. Even if he hadn't finished, she knew exactly what he'd been about to say—another excuse for that poor, fragile first love of his.

"I'm busy. Why don't you wait for me in the break room?" Celestine's tone made it clear she wanted him gone.

Chester gave in. "Alright. But don't take too long."

He walked off toward the nearest break room. As soon as he pushed open the frosted glass door, he found himself face-to-face with two women, both staring at him in shock.

…

"Alright, everyone knows how to paint little turtles now, right?" Celestine finished the coloring lesson.

A group of rowdy kids nodded in unison.

"You're amazing! This is the best turtle I've ever drawn!"

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