Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty
Celeste’s POV
“That’s enough, Bonnie.” Damien scolded. “Don’t speak to your mother that way.”
She stubbornly stuck her chin out.
“I’m only treating her the way Daddy does.” She said herself righteously.
Bonnie hadn’t just been influenced by Vanessa. She watched Damien treat me like I was a useless housemaid for five years and learned how to be ungrateful and cruel.
“Can you finally see why I begged you to stop belittling me in front of our daughter all those years? Because a five- year–old does.” I said, voice tense.
He gazed down at his princess like he’d been doused in a bucket of ice water.
“I’m not your daughter!” Bonnie spat angrily and stood beside Vanessa. “I want Auntie Vanessa to be my mom. Even Daddy thinks she’s a better mom than you.”
“Oh, sweetie! I’d love it if you called me Mommy.” Vanessa squealed gleefully.
Every fiber of my being wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. My daughter’s rejection cut a thousand times deeper because she was biologically wired to love me and yet she didn’t.
She absolutely hated me.
“Did you hear that, everyone?” Vanessa called out to the partygoers. “My stepdaughter wants to call me Mommy!”
The crowd turned to watch her wrap Bonnie in a loving hug. Some raised eyebrows while others congratulated them on their beautiful relationship.
I crouched low on weak legs and stretched out a trembling hand for the discarded necklace.
“Look at this hag picking up trash from the floor.” Vanessa cackled loudly as she kicked it out of reach.
Scandalized gasps and muffled snickers erupted around me. It took my last dregs of strength not to collapse to my knees and burst into tears.
“Oh shame, she wants to cry.” That snake spoke with false pity.
Bonnie giggled. “Cry baby!”
God, it was true. My throat burned from the force of the tears I held back, but I refused to give them the satisfaction.
I clutched the pendant and stood on shaky legs.
“You’re right.” Silence fell over the onlookers as I spoke, my voice brittle. “I’m not fit to be your mother and, frankly, I’m tired of fighting for someone who wants nothing to do with me.”
Vanessa smirked. “Well done, Celeste. You finally know your place.”
Hushed whispers filled the hall, but I was too broken to care. I looked at the pendant I’d lovingly created and then at the stony gaze of my daughter holding Vanessa’s hand.
It was time to face reality.
Lifting my chin, I spoke with as much grace as I could muster. “Since this necklace wasn’t a good enough birthday
Chapter Fifty
gift, I’ll grant you a wish instead. From now on, Mommy will stay out of your life–just like you want.”
Bonnie’s face was expressionless as she absorbed my words
“No take backsies!” She stretched out her arm and extended a pinky.
Wrapping my pinky finger around hers felt as final as signing my divorce agreement.
My voice cracked. “I promise.”
+25 BONUS
The moment the words left my lips, she pulled her hand back like my touch stung, Vanessa was smirking and speaking to the crowd, but it felt like I was hearing everything from the bottom of the ocean.
Then Grace pushed through them and rushed to my side. The arm she wrapped around my shoulders raised me to the surface.
“A fire breather is holding an impromptu performance on the lawn.” She said pointedly to the gawking guests. I’m sure you’ll find it much more entertaining.”
They took the hint and dispersed.
f
“God, Celeste, you’re so pale. I’m not going to even ask if you’re alright.” Her gaze softened as she looked at me. My brows furrowed as I forced down the tears.
“Thank you, Grace.”
She brushed it off but I could never put into words what her support meant to me.
“Celeste?” The coward decided it was safe to speak. “You couldn’t possibly mean what you said to Bonnie just now.”
I held my chin up. “Unlike you and Vanessa, I don’t lie, cheat or go back on my word.”
“You’re being irrational.” Damien frowned deeply. “What about Bonnie’s birthday? You’re always in charge of planning and decorating her party and baking her favorite cake. Think about how this will impact our daughter.” My chest was a hollow, lifeless drum.
“If I’m not Bonnie’s mother, how is she my daughter? Her birthday has nothing to do with me so figure it out.” I said, my voice cold even to my own ears.
“Don’t act so rashly, Celeste. It’s selfish of you to just give up on Bonnie.”
A flame of anger curled up from beneath the anguish.
“I’ve spent the last six months after our divorce doing everything in my power to salvage our relationship and all I’ve received was resentment and ridicule.” I said bitterly. “From now on, Bonnie and I are no more than strangers.”
Damien stared at me like I’d grown a third head.
“This is amazing!” Vanessa squealed and embraced Bonnie. “I’ll buy you a pretty necklace and throw you the best birthday party ever to celebrate!”
She giggled excitedly in her new mother’s arms and it shattered my soul.
“Have a happy life with your new family.” I said to the girl who had once been my daughter.
