The Heir's Unwanted Bride

Chapter 4 :Fractures

Celeste stepped out of the bathroom with mixed emotions and unanswered questions that heavied on her heart.

She kept walking.

Not until she reached the hotel staff entrance.

The guard glanced at her as she passed through. Inside, the noise of the hotel hit her again, fast steps, low voices, phones ringing, orders being called across hallways like nothing important had happened anywhere else in the world.

Celeste, you are back,one of the supervisors said while checking a list.

I was at a meeting,Celeste replied.

The woman stared at her for a bit, nodded in acknowledgement to what Celeste said.

Celeste wondered if the news of her being the eldest daughter of the president had already began spreading.

The Supervisor spoke, bringing back Celeste to reality

Go upstairs. Executive floor is still behind.

Celeste took her cleaning cart and moved toward the elevator but she did not step in immediately because for a moment she could still hear the words from the ballroom repeating in her head.

You will leave tomorrow.

You will marry him.

She pressed her lips together and stepped inside the elevator before anyone could see anything on her face.

Inside, two managers stood talking without noticing her at first.

If the merger fails, we are finished.

The President looks like he has not slept in days.

Chen Industries is the only reason we are still standing.

Celeste stayed quiet at the back and watched the numbers change on the elevator panel.

Chen Industries.

That name again.

When the doors opened, she stepped out first and returned to work.

The executive floor looked the same as always, clean, silent, expensive, but today even the silence felt heavier.

She started room by room, fixing sheets, wiping surfaces, checking corners, everything done with the same careful rhythm she always used when she needed her mind to stay quiet.

But it did not stay quiet.

Every few seconds, the ballroom came back.

Howard’s face.

Margaret’s voice.

Vivienne’s anger.

And the way nobody had asked her anything before deciding her entire life.

She paused inside a room and stood still for a moment, staring at the neatly made bed.

Everything here looked perfect.

But nothing in her life was.

A knock came at the door.

Celeste.

She turned.

A supervisor stood there, slightly impatient.

The president wants you in his office.

Celeste frowned slightly.

Now?

Yes. Immediately.

She removed her gloves slowly and left her cart again.

It was becoming a pattern she did not like.

Leaving things behind without knowing when she would come back to them.

Howard’s office was on the top floor.

She had been there only twice before and both times she was not allowed to speak.

This time the door was open.

He was inside alone.

Standing near the window.

Celeste stopped at the entrance.

You called me.

Howard turned slowly.

Yes.

He did not sit.

He did not offer her a seat either.

That alone made the room feel different.

Celeste stepped inside.

If this is about what happened in the ballroom, I already understand.

Howard looked at her for a moment.

Do you?

Yes.

She nodded once.

I am leaving tomorrow.

A pause.

That is not what I meant.

Celeste watched him carefully.

Then what do you mean?

Howard walked a few steps closer but still kept distance.

You are not just leaving this house.

Celeste did not respond.

You are entering a contract that will change everything around you.

Her expression stayed steady.

That already happened without my permission.

Howard’s jaw tightened slightly.

I know.

That answer made her pause.

Not because it surprised her.

But because it confirmed it.

Celeste looked at him properly now.

So this is what I am to you now.

Howard frowned slightly.

What do you mean.

A solution.

Silence.

That silence answered more than words could.

Celeste nodded slowly.

You do not even deny it.

Howard’s voice lowered.

I am trying to protect what is left.”

She looked at him.

And what about me.

Another pause.

You will be safe.

Celeste almost laughed but did not.

Safe?

Howard nodded.

Yes.

She repeated the word quietly.

So I am being sent away to be safe?

He did not correct her.

Celeste looked down for a second.

Then back up.

You always speak like everything has already been decided before I enter the room.”

Howard’s expression tightened.

It is decided.

That sentence landed hard.

Celeste held his gaze.

Then I do not need to be here anymore.

She turned slightly toward the door.

Celeste.

She stopped but did not turn fully.

Howard’s voice was lower now.

This is not something you can walk away from.

Celeste stayed still.

I never walked into it.

A knock came at the door.

A staff member entered quickly.

Sir, the board is waiting. Urgent meeting.

Howard nodded once.

I will be there shortly

The staff member left immediately.

Howard looked back at Celeste.

You should go home.

Celeste gave a small nod.

I am already there.

Then she walked out.

The mansion was too quiet when she returned.

Too controlled.

Like it was waiting for something.

She stepped inside through the side entrance and immediately heard voices from the main hall.

Vivienne was laughing.

So she is actually going.

Margaret replied calmly.

It is the only option left.

Celeste slowed down without meaning to.

You think she will survive it,Vivienne said.

She has no choice, Margaret replied.

Celeste stood just outside the hall.

Listening.

She will embarrass us,Vivienne added.

She always does.

Celeste’s fingers tightened slightly.

Then Howard’s voice cut in.

That is enough.

Silence followed.

Celeste moved away quietly and walked toward the kitchen instead.

The housekeeper looked up when she entered.

You are back early.

I was dismissed.

The woman frowned.

That is not true. You are always working.

Celeste gave a small smile but did not answer.

She washed her hands slowly at the sink.

The water ran over her fingers but her mind stayed somewhere else.

Tomorrow morning.

That was all anyone kept saying.

Like her life had already moved ahead without her.

A driver appeared at the kitchen door.

Miss Celeste. Transport is arranged for tomorrow.”

She nodded.

Thank you.

He hesitated.

They say Chen Industries is strict.

Celeste looked at him.

Who says that.

Well everyone.

He left quickly.

Celeste turned back to the sink.

The house behind her stayed loud in its own quiet way.

But inside her, everything felt like it had already started moving somewhere she had not agreed to go.

She did not know how to feel. Her whole life she had stayed quiet and calm under every situation.

This time it was different, leaving her old life behind, not even given a chance to choose. Then again, if she had to choose what would her choice be?

She pondered on that, till night came.