Chapter Thirty Five
Celeste’s POV
Rage and heartache hit me like a tsunami. I forced the tidal wave of emotions down and looked over her, concerned.
“Let me see how bad it is.” I said, squatting to her level.
She took in a shaky breath.
“God, I was so stupid, Celeste.” She said bitterly.
I gave her a reproving look.
“Grace, this was not your fault.”
She shook her head. “But I should have seen the red flags.‘
I lifted her shirt and stifled a flush of fury–a large ugly bruise spread across her side.
What if that asshole cracked one of her ribs?
“You were right to warn me before.” Her voice fell to a regretful whisper. “God, I wish I listened. This is all my fault.”
I lowered her shirt and held her by the shoulders.
“Grace, listen to me carefully.” I said, pinning her with a stare that left no room for debate. “The piece of shit bastard who used you as a punching bag is to blame. No matter what you did or didn’t do, this isn’t your fault, okay?”
She nodded, grimacing in pain with the movement.
“Thanks, Celeste. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime, hon.” I stood up and slung my handbag over my shoulder. “Now we need to get you to the hospital.”
After a grueling walk to the car, we were on the road. My phone rang as the building came into view, and I answered on loudspeaker.
“Hello, Rosemary.” A crisp voice came through.
I slammed on breaks in the hospital parking lot. Cars honked behind me, but I was too stunned to care.
It was Celine Mars.
“Rosemary?” she called.
Grace nudged me, eyes wide, and I pulled myself together.
“Mrs. Mars, what can I do for you?”
“I’ve been trying to contact Grace, to no avail.”
I glanced at the injured woman beside me. She was flipping off the angry honking drivers as they drove around us.
Battered and bruised, she was still a firecracker.
“Unfortunately, Grace is under the weather.”
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Chapter Thirty Five
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear.” She said politely. “How is my order progressing? I’d like to wear the jewelry set to an upcoming gala so I’ll need it soon.”
My pulse raced as I grasped at straws.
“The designs are nearly complete, but there has been a delay in sourcing museum–grade musgravite.” I said, my mouth dry.
Celine didn’t sound impressed.
“Will you be able to source the materials, or do I need to take my business elsewhere?” She said curtly.
Grace shook her head vehemently.
“No, Mrs. Mars.” I said with forced ease. “We’ll get you the highest quality gems on the market.”
My heart hammered painfully in my chest at her silence. It would devastate me if Celine canceled her order.
“I’m putting my trust in you, Rosemary.” She said coolly. “Don’t make me regret it.”
The line went dead, and I turned to Grace.
“We’re running out of time.”
She croaked. “But we can’t lose Celine as a client.”
I nodded, chewing my lip.
“Let’s get you treated first.”
“Yes, please.” Grace groaned. “The adrenaline is wearing off.”
The doctor did a thorough examination. Nothing was broken and Grace would be fine with some medication and
rest.
I was relieved.
When the doctor left to fetch an ointment, I turned to Grace
“That scumbag is lucky he didn’t hurt you any worse.” I said, finally letting my anger surface. “We need to make that bastard pay for what he did to you. Oh, when I get my hands on him, I’ll rip his-”
“No, Celeste.” She said, shaking her head weakly. “We’re broken up. I don’t know where he’s fooling around now, but it’s not my problem.”
My eyebrows creased. “But look what he did to you. Don’t you want justice?”
“I never want to see him again.”
There was a soul wrenching exhaustion in her voice and my heart panged.
“Of course, Grace.” I said, fixing her hair. “Whatever you decide, I’m here for you.”
The doctor returned, applied the ointment to her cut lip, and gave us a lengthy prescription.
We fetched the medication from the hospital pharmacy and were heading to the exit when an irritating voice called out to me. I turned around and sighed.
It was Vanessa.
“Give me my pain meds now,” Grace groaned. “I can deal with the bruises, but not that conniving bitch.”
Chapter Thirty Five
“She’s like a stench that won’t go away.” I said as she approached us.
Vanessa wore a loose fitting dress and her ever present smug smile.
“Celeste, what a surprise.”
I kept walking.
“Wait,” she said, blocking our path. “Aren’t you curious about why I’m here?”
I sighed. “Not in the slightest.”
Her eyes flashed with malicious glee.
“I’m here for a prenatal checkup.” She smirked, cradling her belly. “Damien and I are having a baby.”
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