Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 36

Celestine snatched up the yellowed paper, her red lips trembling.

Before she married Chester, she'd been full of hope for their life together.

He'd always been cold to her, but she believed even the iciest heart could melt eventually.

Back then, young and naive, she'd spent hours online searching for ways to win a man's heart.

The advice poured in from strangers across the web.

In the end, she'd written out, word by word, this so-called "prenup"—which was really just a list of promises, a couple's manifesto.

Rule one: The husband must hug his wife three times a day, without being asked.

Rule two: The husband should kiss his wife on the forehead before leaving.

Rule three: The husband must give his wife at least one genuine compliment every day.

Rule four: They should make love at least four times a week.

…

Celestine couldn't bring herself to read any further.

Shame and anger burned through her.

Humiliated. Furious. Chester had to be out of his mind.

"This is the urgent agreement you wanted me to sign?" she blurted, unable to believe it. For a moment, she honestly wondered if Chester had mixed something up.

She still remembered the first time she'd shown him this list—he'd barely glanced at it before tossing it straight into the trash.

She could still picture the look of utter disgust on his face.

"Don't ever let me see this garbage again."

Celestine just couldn't understand it.

How had he dug it out of the safe after all these years?

There was no doubt—it was her handwriting.

"Of course," Chester replied softly, eyes glinting as he stood and strode over to her. "Isn't this what you always wanted? Within reason, I'm willing to meet some of your needs."

"But you need to know when to stop. Don't play these little games in front of the kids, the family, or anyone else."

"I'm not interested in playing along anymore."

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