Chapter Sixty Four
Celeste’s POV
+25 BONUS
“Oh, my god Celeste!” Grace squealed, running over to me. You need to see what’s on the third page of the Citrine.”
I put down the design I’d been tweaking, curiosity piqued.
“What is it?” I asked, taking the magazine.
I blinked at a photograph in shock. A broad–backed gentleman was helping a woman wearing a deep maroon dress into a sports car. Thankfully, I’d turned my face away from the camera as I ducked in, but anyone who knew me would recognize that I was that woman.
Grace tapped the headline, and my mouth fell open.
“Spotted: Crown Luxe’s heir helps hot date into his tailor made Bugatti at Mars party.” I read the words, shell- shocked.
“I read the article.” Grace said, leaning against my desk. “There’s only one car like that in the world, and it belongs to Maximilian’s son. How in the world was your assistant chauffeuring you around in it?”
Ishook my head. “He borrowed it from his college roommate.”
“He went to college with Crown Lux’s heir! Are they close? She asked, and I could just see the wheels turning in her head.
I put down the magazine. “Don’t get any sneaky ideas.”
“What?” Grace asked innocently. “You mean like hounding Ryan to arrange a meeting with Maximilian’s son?” We burst into laughter–she wouldn’t be Grace if she wasn’t thinking of the business opportunity.
“But in all seriousness,” I said, simmering down. “I can’t exploit Ryan’s friendship just to get an in with Crown Luxe.”
“I understand where you’re coming from. Just think about it, okay?”
I nodded as I checked my watch.
“Ryan should be back with the girls soon.” I said, smiling from ear to ear.
Grace squeezed my hand. “I’m so happy for you, Celeste. I know being apart from Bonnie was weighing on you.” “You should have seen Vanessa with her at the preschool yesterday.” I said, my face darkening. “I’m so worried about how she’s treating Bonnie, especially now that she’s pregnant.‘
>>
“That poor girl,” Grace tutted sympathetically. “Pulled in with candy and gifts only to be cast aside once that backstabber trapped Damien with a baby. What are you going to do?”
I smoothed out the design I was working on, shoulders set with determination.
“I’m going to pour my energy into growing our business while I gather evidence of Damien and Vanessa’s neglect, I’ll fight for custody of Bonnie and I’ll win.” I said, my hands forming fists. “She deserves a loving home.”
“I’m glad your fire hasn’t died down and your relationship with Bonnie is improving.” She said, smiling with satisfaction. “Let’s do it!”
Grace squeezed my shoulder before heading to her adjoining office.
1/2
Chapter Sixty Four
+25 BONUS
As I turned back to my design, the door opened and Ryan walked into the studio, a girl on either side of him. Molly let go of his hand and ran to greet me with a hug.
“Bonnie and I had so much fun at school together!” She smiled at me.
But Bonnie’s little mouth was pouting. She looked away as her cheeks puffed out clearly in a bad mood.
I put down my pencil and tilted my chin to the storeroom. Ryan nodded and followed me, leaving the girls to chat.
4046
“What’s going on with Bonnie?” I asked, tone hushed and filled with worry. “She was in such a good mood when I
dropped her off at kindergarten this “ng.”
He sighed, but gave me a gentle smile.
“I think she really wanted her mom to fetch her.” He ran a hand through his hair. “She looked so crestfallen when she saw me, then a moment later she was shouting and throwing toys.
I screwed my eyes shut and rubbed my temples.
“Please tell me this is just an awful joke.” I groaned.
“Wish I could. But it took a lot of coaxing to get her into the car.” He said, chuckling. “She threw a Princess and the Frog book she was reading at me, and I ended up promising to teach her how to make an origami frog. It Worked.”
Ryan was an angel for taking Bonnie’s tantrum in stride.
I sighed. “I wish she was as well mannered and understanding as Molly. She’s going to be a pain to deal with in this mood.”
He pulled a princess themed coloring set from his bag with a dimpled smile.
“The girls wanted to draw today, but Bonnie complained she didn’t have any crayons, so I picked this up for her.‘ He said, heading towards the sulking child. “Hopefully, it brightens her mood.”
I watched as he kneeled to give it to her.
“Only twelve colors? My daddy normally buys me stationary sets with at least sixty different colors.” She said, wrinkling her nose disdainfully. “This is way too cheap to draw with.”
Rage surged within me. Vanessa waltzed into our lives and molded my daughter into an ungrateful and materialistic miniature version of herself at such a young age.
My pencil snapped in my grip–surprising me.
I took calming breath as I suppressed the urge to lecture Bonnie. Searching my brain, I remembered a useful chapter from a parenting book I’d read a few days ago.
I tossed my broken pencil into the trash can and gently approached the pair.
“It’s okay, Ryan.” I said to the baffled man. “Let me handle this.”
