Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 8

The gifts were Joanna's idea.

But the children who received them looked disappointed.

"These Barbies and toy cars are kind of old news. I still like that teddy bear cake your mom used to make. Why didn't you bring one this time?"

Celia's closest friend couldn't help but grumble.

Celia pressed her lips together.

Those teddy bear cakes—her mom made them. They were complicated to bake. More than once, her mom burned her hands in the process.

Unfortunately, Miss Sinclair didn't know how to make them.

If only her mom were here.

Raymond felt the same sting of disappointment.

Ever since Celia had blocked their mother's number, she hadn't called again. It had been ages since he'd heard her voice.

He missed her, just a bit. But soon, he'd get to see her again.

Although, if Mom was around, Miss Sinclair wouldn't visit as much.

Chester, meanwhile, was unaware of what the two kids were feeling.

When the butler learned Chester was heading back to Oceanview City, he called to remind him, "Sir, Mrs. Fordham hasn't returned to the house in a week. Should I notify her that you'll be home?"

Chester frowned, his expression turning cold.

"No need. If she isn't coming back, clear out the master suite. Celia, Raymond, and Joanna will stay with me."

Usually, he only returned to the house to visit the children. But now that Celestine was giving him the silent treatment, she had no reason to set foot in their home.

On the other side of the city, after moving back to her old apartment, Celestine began tending to a small balcony garden. Her skills with plants were average at best, but somehow, without the constraints of marriage, she felt lighter, more at ease.

Her neighbor, old Mr. Clifton Prescott, was far more worried about the plants than she was, often scolding her with a gruff huff. "Young lady, if you don't know how to care for flowers, stop overwatering them. You're going to drown the poor things."

Once he'd finished rescuing her garden, the neighbor would take Celestine aside to explain, "Don't mind the old man. He's been in a mood lately. I heard his grandson refuses to settle down, and they've had quite the row. That's why he's run off to live here."

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify