Chapter 4
482 Words
Celeste's POV:
The car pulled up outside the mansion and stopped. Lydia did not get out.
Sebastian walked me to the front door and pulled me into a warm embrace.
"I still need to go back to the office," he signed. "Rest well. I will come home as soon as I am done."
I nodded and turned toward the mansion.
Before the car door had even closed, the sounds from the back seat began again.
I stood beneath the portico and watched the car slowly disappear from view.
They were going to have a child.
I had been pregnant once too. When Sebastian's enemies brought that club down on me, it cost me my hearing and my baby. After that, I never conceived again.
My phone rang.
"Ms. Harrington, the private jet will be ready for you in seven days."
"Move it up one night," I said. "I will speak to my father."
There was a pause on the other end. Then the person said, "Understood."
The call ended.
I looked down at the diamond bracelet in my palm. Its links were broken and smeared with blood. I let go and watched it fall into the trash.
Then I looked up at my reflection in the dark window.
There was no emotion left in my eyes.
Over the next several days, Sebastian did not come home.
I did not care.
I began sorting through my assets one by one, pulling out of the businesses, investments, and partnerships I could withdraw from, and transferring everything that could be transferred.
During that time, Sebastian took Lydia to every luxury boutique and auction house in the city, lavishing her with jewelry, watches, and couture gowns while carloads of gifts were delivered to her apartment.
He even reassigned the core members of my own medical team to care for Lydia throughout her pregnancy.
For years, I had kept my contact with my mother's old family doctor a secret. I had been afraid Sebastian would feel guilty and disappointed if he knew. Because of that secrecy, I had also been able to hide the fact that my hearing had recovered.
On the evening before the anniversary gala, Sebastian finally came home.
He looked worn from travel, but his eyes were bright with excitement. The moment he stepped through the door, he took my hand.
"Come with me," he signed. "I want to take you somewhere now. Tomorrow's anniversary gala will be held there, but there will be too many people then. Tonight, I want one moment that belongs only to us."
His eyes looked as bright as they had on the day he gave me the silver chain.
For a moment, I could not bring myself to refuse.
In the car, Sebastian tied a silk scarf over my eyes. When the car stopped and he removed it, I saw roses stretching all the way to the horizon.
- Writer
