Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 31

The chill in her eyes was like a blade, cutting through everyone in the room.

"Mother, out of respect for you as an elder, I've called you ‘Mom' one last time. If you want to take care of any stray, any mutt you can lay hands on, then go ahead—but make your son sign those divorce papers as soon as possible."

Dahlia shrank back, unnerved by her glare, momentarily forgetting how to respond.

What had gotten into this little wretch? A few days away and she'd turned into something unrecognizable.

"Oh, and maybe you should ask your precious grandson and darling son why, after all this time, the fever still won't break?"

Celestine stood before them, arms crossed and chin tilted defiantly. Even with the angry red mark of a slap burning on her cheek, there was not a hint of humiliation or surrender in her posture.

Chester and Raymond traded uneasy glances at her words.

Chester's eyes turned cold. "That's enough, Celestine. Watch your mouth."

He knew what she was getting at, but Raymond was meant to inherit the Fordham family legacy. This wasn't the time or place for that kind of talk.

Dahlia, sensing her son's discomfort, played her part to perfection, clutching her chest and wailing, "Chester! Look at the wife you've chosen! Divorce her, you must divorce her!"

Chester steadied Dahlia, his face growing darker with every second.

"Celestine, does it have to be like this?"

He was determined to put an end to this fiasco. His voice was cold, annoyed. "Mother was wrong to hit you, but she's still your elder. Where's your usual courtesy, your so-called respect? Must you be so petty, counting every slight?"

Celestine wasn't surprised. Every single time she'd had a run-in with Dahlia, Chester had always taken his mother's side. Even when he saw Dahlia strike her, he'd force himself to stay calm and then blame both parties equally.

No, not just equally—he'd always pressure her to swallow her pride and apologize to Dahlia.

As if on cue, he said, "Apologize to my mother, and let's be done with this."

Celestine stared at him in silence, wondering how she could have been so blind for six years—constantly giving in, all for a man like this.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify