Chapter Fifty Nine
Celeste’s POV
I had braced myself for the blow, but Bonnie’s outburst still felt like a sledgehammer to the chest.
“That woman is not my Mommy!” Her shout echoed in the silence.
My heart clenched as I turned to the stunned teachers.
“Please forgive Bonnie’s outburst.” I said, voice steady despite my suffering. “She’s going through a difficult time, and I’d appreciate your understanding.”
Lily pressed her lips into a thin line, brows furrowed.
“Celeste, do you mind if I have a word before you leave?” She said, glancing at the girls. “Rachel, please watch them for a moment.”
“Is something the matter?” I asked once we were out of earshot.
Lily cleared her throat awkwardly. “I was going to call you to discuss some concerns I’ve had about Bonnie’s well- being that Damien and Vanessa have brushed off or ignored.”
“Is this about them refusing to fetch her? I spoke to both of them about it but it was clearly in vain.” I said, shaking my head in frustration.
“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case.” Lily said, her lips pursed. “I’ve noticed she’s sometimes sent to school with rather unhygienic hair and other signs of neglect. Her wounds were not even cleaned after her fall this morning.”
I gritted my teeth as a fresh wave of rage hit me. They were keeping Bonnie out of spite, not because they genuinely cared about her.
“I want to fight for Bonnie, but my hands are tied.” I sighed heavily. “You surely noticed she wants nothing to do with me and the court gave Damien custody because of it.”
Lily bit her lip before leaning closer.
“If you decide to fight for custody, I’ll happily write character references for Damien and Vanessa.”
Why hadn’t I considered character witnesses? Anyone with a set of eyes and half a brain cell could see how much worse off Bonnie was with them.
“Thank you, Lily.” I smiled. “I may just need to take you up on that offer.”
“I want what’s best for Bonnie, and it’s anything but those two.” She said, glancing at her phone. “Would it be possible for you to take Bonnie home? Damien and Vanessa are still dodging my calls.”
I grimaced as I watched my daughter flip through a book.
“I’d love to, but I doubt she’ll agree.” I said, ashamed of the admission.
Lily tapped her phone against her palm anxiously.
“Although it wouldn’t hurt to try.” I said when I saw the worry on the teacher’s face.
If Bonnie didn’t come home with me, who knew when she’d be fetched?
“I’d really appreciate it.” Lily said, relieved.
Chapter Fifty Nine
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I walked over and squatted in front of her. “Honey, your preschool is closing soon. Why don’t you come home with Molly and I?”
Molly bounced on the balls of her feet.
“Auntie Celeste is the best!” She giggled. “We’ll have so much fun together!”
“No.” Bonnie said, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly. “I want to wait for Auntie Vanessa–she’s the real best.”
I was wrong–it definitely hurt to try.
Molly reached for her hand. “Please come with us? It’ll be
“I said no! Leave me alone!” Bonnie yelled, flinging the girl’s hand away.
Molly’s eyes were glossy as she held back tears. This sweet angel probably wasn’t used to such violent outbursts.
“Are you okay, honey?” I asked, comforting the shell–shocked girl. “Thank you for inviting Bonnie to join us so politely.”
I turned to my daughter. “It’s not okay to shout at people or shove them when they upset us, Bonnie–you know this.”
She folded her arms and frowned deeply.
My heart panged–she was allergic to apologizing, just like her father.
“Molly, please pass me the cookies.” I asked, and the girl quickly obeyed.
I opened the teddy bear patterned lunch box with unsteady hands and took out the star–shaped chocolate chip cookie. Excitement flashed across Bonnie’s face before she looked away
“Do you remember what you called this when I first made it for you on your third birthday?” I asked, eyes stinging at the memory.
But she ignored me, stubborn as ever.
“It’s Mommy’s wish star cookie, remember, honey? Take a bite and make a wish.” I said, the cookie quivering in the air as she refused to take it. “Mommy will just leave it here, okay?”
I laid down a napkin on the bench and placed the cookie in the center.
“Please take good care of Bonnie until her stepmother fetches her.” I asked Lily flatly as I gathered my things.
“Bye–bye Miss Rachel and Miss Lily! Bye–bye Bonnie!” Molly said cheerily as she held my hand, already over Bonnie’s slight.
The teachers gushed over her cuteness and manners, but my eyes were fixed on Bonnie.
Molly tugged me through the school grounds, chattering excitedly. But I couldn’t give her my full attention. Every few steps, I glanced over my shoulder, hoping to glimpse Bonnie.
“Auntie Celeste?” Molly called, tugging on my arm. “The door is locked.”
I hadn’t realized we reached the car–my mind and heart were still with my daughter.
“Oh, sorry, honey.” I said, fumbling with my keys to unlock it.
She climbed in and buckled up. I closed the door, but before I could climb into my seat, I saw Bonnie through the gaps in the iron fence.
Chapter Fifty Nine
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Leaning against my car, I watched with my heart in my throat as she sneakily picked up the cookie. She lifted it to her mouth, sniffed, and then plopped it back down when Lily looked her way.
“Why, Bonnie?” I shook my head, tears blurring my vision
God, everything in me screamed to race in there and hugness
inch, not until she was ready.
out of her.
I didn’t dare move an
The sky darkened as I watched the thinly stretched figure of my child. Although we were leagues apart, separated by lies and harsh words, it was clear we shared the same bone aching loneliness,
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