hapter Thirty Four
Celeste’s POV
Ryan had taken these past two days off to deal with family matters. Besides his divine cappuccinos, I missed his lively attitude and constant teasing–the studio felt too quiet without him.
I stood abruptly from my design table, pressing a hand to the small of my back. The familiar ache radiated up my spine–too many hours hunched over genistones under harsh lights.
My brows furrowed as my gaze fell on Celine Mars‘ order. Career changing opportunities like this didn’t come around twice.
My phone was already pressed to my ear before I realized I’d dialed Rajiv again. The line crackled to life, his voice oozing false sympathy.
“Market fluctuations, Celeste. You understand how it is-
“Don’t give me that ‘market fluctuations‘ bullshit, Rajiv,” I snapped, pacing behind my worktable. A strand of hair escaped my bun, sticking to the sweat on my neck. “Just because I’m a solo studio doesn’t mean you can pawn off second–rate stones on me. I need museum–grade musgravite. The kind you’d actually send to the Smithsonian.”
A pause. Then his oily chuckle. “You know only three parcels of gem–quality musgravite exist worldwide-”
“Yes, I know what ‘extinct in the market‘ means,” I hissed, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table. ” That’s why your commission would be quintuple if you-”
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone, my pulse roaring in my ears. Bastard.
The phone rang again so suddenly it nearly slipped from my sweat–damp palm. My thumb jabbed the answer button, ready to unleash a torrent of creative profanity at Rajiv-
“Hello?” I said, the word sharp with leftover fury.
“Hi there.” A woman’s voice, bright and unfamiliar. “Is this Celeste Kent?”
I blinked, the tension in my shoulders faltering. “Yes, can help you with something?”
“This is Lily, Bonnie’s teacher.”
My eyebrows furrowed.
She continued. “I’d like to discuss-”
“What happened to Ruth? Isn’t she Bonnie’s teacher?” I asked, cutting her off.
The woman sounded as confused as I felt.
“Ruth? No one by that name works here. I’ve been Bonnie’s teacher since she transferred to Saint Ambrose’s International Preschool a little over three months ago.”
Blood rushed to my head.
How could Damien transfer Bonnie to a new school without consulting me? Without even informing me?
“I hadn’t been informed that she moved schools.” I said, tense. “How is she adjusting?”
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Chapter Thirty Four
“Oh, that’s not why I called. Your daughter is adjusting swimmingly.” Lily said reassuringly.
At least there was that much.
“The problem is that her stepmom hasn’t picked her up from school for the last three days.” The teacher said, her voice laden with concern. “Her grandmother ended up fetching her, but it’s not a sustainable alternative because of how far she has to travel.”
I balled my hands, livid by the time she finished speaking.
“Have you spoken to Damien about this issue?” I asked, suppressing my anger.
“I contacted him first, but he said that he’d given the responsibility to Vanessa and I must deal with her directly. The problem is that she’s been avoiding my calls.”
An angry furnace burned inside me.
Why did these people try so hard to keep my daughter from me if they weren’t interested in her wellbeing?
“Thank you for bringing this problem to my attention, Lily.” I said as calmly as I could manage: “I will contact Bonnie’s father and find a suitable solution.”
I hung up and immediately dialed Damien. The phone rang only once and then went straight to voicemail and I ended the call in disbelief.
That pompous jerk blocked me.
I grabbed my handbag and downed my shot of espresso before heading to the front door. If Damien thought he could shirk his responsibilities as Bonnie’s father and block my calls, he had another thing coming.
I’d just have to tell him off to his face.
I was digging my keys out of my handbag when the studio door swung open. Grace staggered in, leaning heavily against the doorframe.
My eyes widened in horror at the sight of her.
Dark, nasty looking bruises covered her face. Drying blood stained the bottom corner of her swollen lips. Her hair looked like a rat’s nest and her clothes hung from her trembling body, dishevelled.
She whimpered. “Celeste.”
I shot forward to catch her as she slipped weakly down the door frame.
“Oh my god. Grace, what happened?” I said, struggling to hold her up.
Tears fell from her red–rimmed eyes.
“It was Reece.” She said, her voice hoarse.
“Your boyfriend?”
She nodded weakly.
“I just had a feeling something wasn’t right. So I went through his phone when he was in the shower this morning”
I nodded, urging her to continue as I helped her to a chair.
“I found chats with multiple women. He was flirting with all of them, Celeste.” She laughed bitterly. “This is
Chapter Thirty Four
what I get for trusting someone. I was furious and confronted him.”
She sat down, wincing as she clutched her ribs.
“Reece was so angry I went through his phone. The argument got out of control.”
“Go on, Grace.” I said, my heart cracking. “How did you end up like this?”
A fresh flood of tears poured down her face.
“He beat me, Celeste.”
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Chapter Thirty Five
