chapter Seventy Saven
Chapter Seventy Seven
Celeste’s POV
My grip on the steering wheel was deathly tight as I pulled out of Saint Ambrose’s parking lot, my emotions a wreck. The look of smug satisfaction on Damien’s face filled me with the urge to key his car, but I’d held back.
I wouldn’t stoop to their level.
“Auntie Celeste?” Molly tentatively called me from the back seat.
She clutched her favorite doll–a fluffy gray bunny in a pinkutu and a sparkly tiara. I relaxed my scrunched forehead and smiled at her in the rearview mirror.
“What’s up, honey?” I asked as cheerfully as I could manage.
Molly frowned thoughtfully. “Why does Bonnie have two mommies and I only have one?”
The innocent reminder was all it took to turn the dull ache of my daughter’s absence into an agonizing torment. I took a deep breath, blinking back tears.
Everything was so fucked up–how did I explain it all?
“Uh, honey, Bonnie doesn’t really have two mommies.” I began hesitantly. “You must love a child with your whole heart to be their mother, and Auntie Vanessa doesn’t love Bonnie like that.”
Molly’s forehead creased. “But Auntie Vanessa was so nice to Bonnie. She hugged her, said she loved her, and is throwing a party for her and her new sibling.”
I pursed my lips.
Vanessa had given an Oscar worthy performance today, but could see through the act. The question was, how do you get a child to see the same?
“Molly, have you heard the story of Hansel and Gretal?” I asked as the perfect example popped into
She nodded diligently, and I continued.
my
mind.
“Was the woman who lived in the house made of cake, cookies, and candy a good person? Does it mean she loved the children because she gave them all the candy they could eat?” I asked, glancing at the rearview mirror.
Molly gasped, shaking her head. “No! She was an evil witch!”
I nodded. “Exactly”
“That witch is Auntie Vanessa?” she asked, and worry creased her brows. “Will Bonnie be okay?”
I smiled reassuringly, as a renewed sense of determination hit me.
“Bonnie has a real mother who will defend her from anyone who wants to hurt her, so you don’t need to worry, okay?”
The little girl’s eyes shone with admiration. “Bonnie’s lucky to have a Superhero Mommy like you!”
བཅོ རྗ ཇ ད
My chest tightened again.
It was Molly’s sweetness that had built a bridge between Bonnie and I. I just wanted my daughter to choose me, to love me with half the ferocity with which I longed for her.
But we just weren’t there yet.
1/3
73) +25 BONUS
Chapter Seventy Seven
“What about Unele Ryan?” I asked, in need of a change in tople and genuine curiosity. “Auntle Grace sald he took half the day off work.”
Molly rocked her doll thoughtfully, seeming to find comfort in the action.
“Grandpa said he’s introducing him to a new girlfriend, so he’s moving out today.” She said, neatly tucking a curl behind her car.
My pulse spiked, and the car jerked forward.
“Really? Moving where?” I asked as I cased off the accelerator, feigning nonchalance.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged and then bounced excitedly in her seat. “But Grandpa said Uncle Ryan is getting married soon!”
My breath hitched as my mind fell into frenzied mayhem. A hundred questions whirled through my head, but there was only one that I couldn’t find an answer for.
Why did the thought of Ryan in a relationship tear my heart in two?
“What if they make me the flower girl, Aunty Celeste?” Molly asked, dragging me back to the present.
I gave her a shaky smile as we pulled up to the studio.
“That would be so exciting!” I said, forcing an enthusiastic tone. “You’ll be the prettiest little flower girl ever.”
My mind flashed back to Bonnie on my make–up wedding day. Maybe she’d finally get to sprinkle petals down an aisle at Damien and Vanessa’s wedding.
Suppressing a sigh, I cut the engine and undid my buckle.
“Ready to go in?” I asked, turning toward Molly.
She hopped out, humming as we walked up to the studio hand in hand.
The rich aroma of coffee
greeted us inside. Molly ran up to hug Grace and then headed for the sofa to draw as I closed the door behind us.
My friend’s eyebrows knitted in concern.
“You look like you need this more than me.” She said, handing me her espresso.
I blew once before throwing back the scalding hot espresso like a shooter.
W
“Oh my god, Celeste, what on earth’s going on?” She looked around the studio. “Where’s Bonnie?”
I sighed, placing the cup on the counter.
“Vanessa is starting her manipulative tactics with Bonnie again.” I shook my head bitterly as I put a new capsule in the espresso machine. “Her and Damien showed up at the preschool and promised her the world.”
Grace’s gaze softened as the machine buzzed to life.
“You’ve made significant progress with her, Celeste. It won’t disappear overnight.”
“As always, you’re right.” I said, voice cracking. “I just wish I didn’t feel so helpless.”
She squeezed my shoulder encouragingly. “The next few weeks will be tough, but the custody hearing is coming up.”
I picked up the freshly made espresso, chuckling bitterly.
2/3
Chapter sovinh Scien
+75 BORRIS
“It won’t be much of a battle without a lawyer ”
1 paused as the sharp rhythm of high heels clacking against the tiled floor echoed towards us. The door burst open, and 1 flinched, the espresso slipping from my fingers ceramic shattering at my feet. “Where the hell is that fraud designer hiding?” Julie demanded, red faced and panting
