Chapter Forty Eight
Celeste’s POV
“I’m not an idiot.” Vanessa glowered at Damien. “This dull housewife is not Rosemary.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Why would I lie?”
Her eyes flashed with rage as she studied the two of us.
“You’re making up this crap, so you have an excuse to cozy up to Celeste, aren’t you?” She planted her hands on her hips, pregnant belly jutting out as she glared at us.
“For god’s sake, be rational Vanessa.” He said, exasperated. “How else would Celeste even get into a party like this?”
She thought for a moment, then her mouth scrunched into a frown.
“That doesn’t mean you have to do business with her!” She stamped her foot like a petulant toddler. “Rosemary is just some over hyped nobody whose jewelry and reputation are fake.”
That was the final straw. My temper had hit the tall roof of Celine’s opulent hall.
“You’re such a hypocrite.” I strode up to her, voice deathly low. “I worked damn hard for everything that I’ve accomplished. Unlike you, I have work–ethic.”
She balked at my outrage but refused to step back.
“You forget, we were once best friends, Vanessa. I know exactly how fake you are. You haven’t done an honest day’s work in your entire life.”
“Excuse me?” She scoffed. “Please, Celeste. I’m not interested in your ‘woman scorned‘ crap.”
I couldn’t believe she actually made air quotes. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and damn if I wasn’t
furious.
“Vanessa, you’re a pariah in the jewelry industry. At first, no one wanted to work with you because of your terrible attitude and skills to match. But now?” I scoffed coldly. “It’s become common knowledge that you forced your way into our design college through the back door–that you plagiarized your fellow designers to get your degree.”
She poked my chest. “Lies! Stop making up shit or I’ll sue you for defamation.”
I threw my head back and let out a cold, cruel laugh.
“Defamation? This isn’t slander–it’s fact. The disciplinary board revoked your degree, Vanessa, and everyone despises you.”
Her mouth opened to spew out more trash, but I stopped her.
“While the rest of us were pulling all–nighters and dedicating ourselves to the craft, you were partying till the sun came up and showing up to lectures wasted.” I poked her back, white hot rage flowing through my veins. “So don’t tell me I’m fake.”
It was clear that each statement stabbed at Vanessa’s sore spots. Her eyes were wide as she shook with anger.
“The truth hurts, doesn’t it?” I asked, smirking gleefully.
Hatred flashed in her eyes.
“You’ve crossed the line, Celeste. I don’t have any work ethic?” She all but growled the words with menace. “I’ll
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Chapter Forty Eight
show you just how dedicated I can be when I tear you down from that high pedestal.”
I watched her thunder off.
“God, I need a drink.” I muttered and scanned the crowd for a server.
But Damien’s bulky frame stepped in front of me.
“Celeste, baby, don’t go.” He whispered, clasping both my bands in his.
I was a split second away from losing it.
“Um, Damien.” I kept my voice low and smiled tightly. “Get your fucking hands off me before I break them.” His brows furrowed. “Earlier, the intimate way you touched me–don’t you want to get back together?”
I couldn’t contain the sardonic laughter that bubbled from my chest.
“God, you’re delusional.” I tore my hands from his repulsive grasp. “I’m begging you to seek mental help–I’ll even foot the bill.”
“How am I being delu-”
I cut him off. “I’ll say it nice and slow so you understand–I don’t want you Damien. I never will, so you can let go of that far–fetched fantasy.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, his tender gaze turned ice cold.
“You asked me to leave Vanessa. What am I supposed to think?”
Sighing, I broke it down for him. “You were just a tool I used to make Vanessa experience the pain of betrayal, to show her how her actions affect others.”
“How dare you-‘
His nagging voice fell out of focus as I caught sight of Bonnie. Vanessa stomped towards us, my daughter holding her hand and struggling to keep up,
My heart came alive and broke in pieces all at once. She’d grown so much and dazzled under the warm glow of the chandeliers, but I was painfully aware of how much I’d missed.
They stopped in front of us, and I smiled. “Hi, honey! Mommy is so happy to see you.”
It felt like a punch to the gut when she ignored me and beamed at Damien.
“Daddy!” She ran into his arms.
Vanessa bent down to her ear. A cruel smirk curled her lips as she fixed a gaze ripe with malicious glee on me. “Sweetie, this wicked woman is trying to steal Daddy away from us.” She whispered loudly enough for me to hear.
