While standing calmly in front of Grace, Celine nodded and said, "Yes, I''m Celine Tate."


    Grace took out a check and ced it before her. "Take this and leave my son. You can fill in whatever amount you want."


    Celine shook her head. "I don''t want it."


    Grace let out a cold scoff. "I''m sure you''ve heard about the engagement between the Alvarez and Hampton families. My son is meant to marry Carly, and she''s the only one worthy of him. Marriages in powerful families are never just about love. This is the path Adam must take, and it''s the right one.


    "I''ve also heard you''re with another man and carrying his child. Given that, are you still trying to keep both options open? As long as I''m here, you will never set foot in our family, so you might as well give up. Celine, choose wisely. You should ept the check and leave for good."


    Celine looked at Grace. On her way here, she had considered the possibility that Grace might hurl cruel words at her, but she hadn''t.


    She didn''t resent Grace, and maybe it was because she had heard her story before. Women had it hard enough, so why make things even more difficult for each other?


    As she looked at Grace, Celine gave a faint smile. "Mrs. Alvarez, you''ve misunderstood. I refused the check because Adam and I are already over."


    Grace was taken aback.


    She had encountered plenty of homewreckers before, especially the one that had been a thorn in her heart for years. Her husband''s so-called first love was delicate, cunning, and maniptive. That was why Grace despised mistresses.


    However, Celine wasn''t what she had imagined.


    Grace asked, "Then what do you want? I need you to disappear from my son''s life forever."


    "I want nothing. I will leave Adam, so you don''t have to worry."


    The more Celine refused, the more uneasy Grace felt. "Then you—"


    Celine cut her off. "Mrs. Alvarez, I never pursued Adam for his money, his power,


    or his status. The time I married him, he was already in aa."


    Grace was stunned.


    Celine continued, "I''m not trying to take credit for anything. I just don''t want you to misunderstand me. Ife you do, it will only create a rift between you and Adam. I understand how much you love


    Adam and howplicate


    vel


    life in a


    powerful family can be. Most my father once, so I understand how precious family truly is."


    She had experienced that loss herself, which was why she didn''t want Grace and Adam to drift apart.


    Love wasn''t truly the only thing that mattered in this world-family did too. Adam was a devoted son, and he shouldn''t have to choose between the two. He was also the child Grace had risked her life to bring into the world.


    After losing her husband, Adam had be her entire hope, which was why she couldn''t lose him too.


    Grace froze, staring at Celine.


    She stood there in a white coat, her long jet-ck hair falling over her shoulders.


    Her delicate face, untouched by makeup, looked pure and ethereal under the light.


    She met Grace''s gaze with calmposure and spoke in an even tone. "I counted the years on my way here. Adam and I have been married for four years. For the first three, he was in aa. Back then, alb wanted was to save him.


    "When he finally recovered, we struggled to adjust. Looking back now, I don''t think


    we ever had any truly happy moments together. Mrs. Alvarez, let me repeat. I


    don''t need your check, and I will leave him for good."


    For once, Grace didn''t know what to say. She had considered what she might do


    if Celine refused to leave and what methods she would have to use.


    However, this version of Celine, calm and steady, left her both surprised and shaken.


    "Celine, I hope you mean every word. The engagement between the Alvarez and Hampton families is set in stone Grace paused for a


    moment before continuing, "Melno


    husband has an illegitimate son out there. That''s why, Celine, Adam must marry Carly."


    Adam had a half-brother. Although no one had ever discussed this before, Grace had chosen to tell her.


    Celine nodded and replied, "I understand, Mrs. Alvarez. I''ll take my leave now. Maybe we''ll cross paths again someday."