+25 BONUS
Chapter Seventy Nine
Chapter Seventy Nine
Third–Person POV
Celeste leaned back onto the kitchenette counter, gripping the edge for support.
Her months of hard work and dedication were unraveling from a single, misinformed complaint on Rosemary’s I* ******m page. She felt like she’d been sucker–punched in the gut.
“Auntie Celeste?” Molly called out tentatively as she hopped off the sofa. “Is that scary lady gone?”
“Yes, honey. I’m sorry if the shouting scared you. Everything is fine.” Celeste said, stroking the little girl’s dark curls.
“When is Uncle Ry–Ry coming back?” She asked, her brows scrunched. “Bonnie isn’t here to draw like we planned. I wanna go home.”
Celeste pursed her lips as a bolt of jealousy ran through her.
Where was Ryan, anyway? Off frolicking with his girlfriend into the sunset was her bet.
“I’m sure he’ll come soon.” She said casually. “He’s probably just busy moving in with his girlfriend.”
Grace’s eyes popped out of her head. “Ryan has a girlfriend?”
“Yes! Grandpa wants them to get married, so Uncle Ry–Ry is moving today.” Molly said, straightening her bunny’s tiara.
“So that’s why he needed a half–day.” Grace said as understanding dawned.
She eyed Celeste carefully, but the designer kept her gaze fixed on the doll swinging in Molly’s grip. The little girl tugged on her hand, rubbing her tummy.
“Auntie Celeste, I’m hungry.” She said, pouting. “I don’t know if I can wait for Uncle Ry–Ry to come.”
Celeste gave her a strained smile.
“We don’t want to make our little angel starve, do we? There isn’t anything to eat here, so I’ll have to take you out,” she said cheerfully, but Grace could see the weariness in her eyes.
Grace squatted down to Molly’s level. “I know Auntie Celeste is your favorite, but she has so much work to finish today. Let Auntie Grace take you out instead, okay?”
The little girl glanced up at Celeste before nodding and taking her hand.
“Love, can I get you anything while I’m out?” Grace asked, her heart wrenched with concern and guilt.
Celeste shook her head. Her stomach was a twist of knots that rolled at the thought of food. Grace gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, her lips pursed in understanding and sympathy, before leaving the studio with Molly.
As soon as the front door closed, Celeste rummaged through her bag for her phone. Each time she refreshed Rosemary’s page, a new torrent of negative comments and wild accusations flooded in.
Rosemary’s image had been utterly destroyed.
“You’re freaking kidding me…” Celeste murmured in disbelief as she noticed a common name amidst the hateful
comments.
Vanessa.
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Chapter Seventy Nine
+25 BONUS
She had reposted Julie’s complaint across various social media platforms and was validating every negative response. The snake was basking in her ex–friend’s downfall.
Anger joined the mess of emotions wreaking havoc on Celeste’s mind..
Her chest tightened as she shuffled to the restroom, vision blurry with tears. She slammed the door shut and leaned over the sink.
“What am I going to do?” She sobbed the words out.,
The timing couldn’t be worse–how was she supposed to find a top tier divorce lawyer to fight for custody when her clients were canceling their orders? How would she support her daughter if everything fell apart?
Her world was crumbling around her but she refused to collapse with it.
“You’ve survived far worse, Celeste.” she told her reflection. “And you will survive this too.”
But, god, she was tired of fighting to survive.
The studio’s front door opened and Ryan walked in, bone tired from moving out of his father’s house. He looked around the studio, puzzled.
“Hello? Where’s everyone?” he called out.
Just as he pulled his phone out of his pocket to call one of the ladies, he heard a muffled sob. Slipping the phone back, Ryan followed the sound to the restroom, immediately recognizing who the soft sobs belonged to.
“Celeste?” He called, knocking on the door gently.
After a minute, his boss opened the door, and his brows furrowed in concern at her red–rimmed eyes. The reason for her tears was obvious.
“I guess you’ve seen the uproar online too.” He sighed, reaching to cup her cheek.
But Celeste sidestepped his hand.
No matter how much she yearned for his support and comfort, things were different now. She couldn’t lean on him, not when he had a girlfriend.
“Yeah, it’s worse than you think–clients have been canceling their orders.” She said, heading to the kitchenette to pour herself a glass of water.
Ryan’s hand fell numbly to his side as he watched her take a sip, then turn to him with her head held high. Celeste had always put up a strong front–even when they were kids. But Ryan found himself wanting to be the one person she felt comfortable enough with to let down her walls.
“Celeste, you don’t need to put on a brave face in front of me–crying will make you feel better,” he breathed. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Those words cut her deeper than she expected–how could he always be there for her when he had someone else to care for?
She stuffed down the confusing ache and gave him a friendly smile, because that’s all they were–friends.
“Thanks, Ryan.” She said, voice light and steady. “I won’t let this false accusation ruin everything we’ve built. I’m going down to Julie’s estate tomorrow to get to the bottom of this nightmare.”
He watched her for a moment, felt a distance between them that hadn’t been there before, and itched to close the gap. But he’d promised himself he wouldn’t rush her.
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Chapter Seventy Nine
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“Then I guess we’ve got an early morning.” He said, shooting her a wink. “You know I’ve always got your back, Celeste.”
