<b>Chapter </b>208
-CELINE’S POV-
The reception was still glowing in my mind when we left.
The garden had been covered in fairy lights, soft music, andughter.
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I could still see Caroline in her pearl–draped gown, smiling at Frederick like she had just found the safest ce in the world. When they said their vows, my chest had tightened so much I thought I would cry.
Not out of jealousy, not out of sadness—just out of knowing how much love can change a person.
Hunter had been beside me the whole time, his hand brushing mine every few minutes, like he wanted to remind me I wasn’t alone.
Caesar had run around with the other children, giggling until he fell asleep in ncey’sp. For once, even Mia had stayed quiet, sitting with a stiff smile but no drama.
It had been a perfect evening.
Now, as the car moved through the dark New York streets, the quiet wrapped around us. Caesar was asleep in the back, his small body leaning against the car seat, still holding the string of a half–deted balloon.
Hunter drove with one hand. His other hand rested gently on my thigh. It was such a small thing, but it felt like a shield, a promise.
Iid my hand over his, and he nced at me briefly, his lips softening into the smile he never gave anyone else.
“You’re quiet,” he said.
“I’m just thinking<i>,” </i>I whispered.
“About what?”
I looked out the window. The city lights blurred against the ss. “About
<b>14:33 </b>Mon, Sep 8 B.
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everything. How much has changed. How much I’ve gained.”
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He didn’t answer, but his thumb stroked against my skin slowly, warmly. And I knew he understood.
**
**
When we reached the mansion, Hunter carried Caesar out of the car like he weighed nothing. Our son’s head rested on his shoulder, his lips parted in deep sleep.
I followed slowly, my dress brushing against my ankles, my heels clicking softly on the driveway.
The night was still. Too still. No wind, no sounds of cars, no chirping crickets. Just silence.
And then-“Celine…” The voice came from the shadows, sharp and trembling.
I froze.
From the corner near the fence, a figure stepped out. My heart squeezed, then dropped.
“Jesse.”
My sister looked nothing like the woman I grew up admiring. Her hair was messy, her mascara streaked down her cheeks. Her once–perfect clothes were wrinkled, her shoes scuffed. She looked broken, like someone had ripped the shine out of
her.
Hunter’s entire body went stiff. His voice dropped low and cold. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Jesse’s eyes darted to him, then to Caesar in his arms. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Hunter’s tone cut like ice. “Do you want me to call security? Because I will.”
She flinched, and for the first time in my life, I saw Jesse afraid.
“No, please…..” she began.
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But Hunter’s re was quicker than knives. His arms tightened around Caesar, protective, dangerous.
I touched his arm softly. “Hunter.” He looked down at me, still hard, still
brimming with fury. <fnc270> Chapters first released on </fnc270>
“Let me talk to her,” I’whispered.
“Celine….” His jaw locked.
“Please.”
He studied me for a long moment, then gave a small, sharp nod. He brushed a kiss against my forehead before lowering his voice so only I could hear.
“If she hurts you, she won’t live to regret it.”
He turned and carried Caesar inside. The door shut behind him with a heavy sound, leaving me and Jesse in the cold night air.
*****
****
“What do you want, Jesse?” My voice was calm, colder than I expected.
Jesse wrung her hands, stepping closer, but stopping when I raised mine. “Don’t. Stay there.”
Her lips trembled. “Celine, please. It’s Mom… she’s sick.”
Something in me jolted, but I kept my face still.
“She was rushed to the hospital,” Jesse continued quickly. “They… they found out it’s lung cancer. We don’t know how long she has.”
I just stared at her.
For years I had dreamed of hearing my mother say she was proud of me. For years I had wished Jesse would finally treat me like a sister instead of a stain. For years I had wanted their love.
And now? Iughed.
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The sound startled even me–sharp, broken, echoing against the mansion walls.
Jesse blinked. “W–why are youughing?”
“Because.” I took a step closer. “Because maybe heaven finally decided to punish her. Maybe the universe is fair after all.”
“Celine!” Jesse gasped, horror on her face.
“What?” My voice was steady, but my heart was racing. “Did you expect me to cry? To fall apart? To run to the hospital bed of the woman who called me a mistake every single day of my life?”
“She’s still your mother,” Jesse whispered, voice cracking.
“No.” I shook my head. “She’s your mother. Not mine.”
Jesse’s mouth opened and closed, like she didn’t know what to say. For once, she had no power.
She dropped to her knees, mascara running, her voice breaking. “I don’t want her to die, Celine. Please. Please, don’t let her die.”
For a moment, I just looked at her. My perfect, polished sister–now broken, begging, kneeling in the dirt. I crouched down, my eyes level with hers.
My voice was a whisper, harsh as ss.
“Do you remember what you called me? Bastard. Whore, Slut. Do you remember taking Eleanor’s money to ruin me? Do you rememberughing when Mom called me trash?”
Her tears fell faster.
“And now,” I continued, tilting my head, “you want help. From the bastard daughter you hated.”
“Celine, I….”
“No.” I stood up, brushing imaginary dust from my dress. “You made your choice. And I’ve made mine.”
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Her voice cracked as she called after me. “Please! Don’t walk away from me, Celine! Please!” But I didn’t stop. I walked to the door, opened it, and stepped inside.
<b>**** </b>
Hunter was waiting just past the foyer, Caesar asleep against his chest, his eyes like a storm ready to break.
“She’s still out there,” he said tly.
“I know.”
“Did she hurt you?”
“No.”
He studied me for a moment, then his gaze softened. “Are you okay?” I reached out and took his free hand,cing my fingers with his.
“For the first time,” I whispered, “yes.”
His thumb brushed my knuckles, grounding me. Behind me, Jesse’s cries echoed faintly through the night.
But as I leaned into Hunter’s warmth, I smiled. Not cruelly, not with malice. Just a
smile of freedom.
Because I was finally done. Done begging for love from people who never wanted me. Done letting my family’s poison shape my life. Done carrying their shame.
For the first time, I belonged where I stood–inside this home, with my husband, with my son, with my future.
And I wasn’t going back.