Chapter 7
1385 Words
I couldn’t stop crying the moment I arrived at my condo. The pain grew heavier as I read the string of messages Ezeckiel had sent me. How could I face him if I was already this broken just reading his words?
Just the thought of him wanting to talk about ending our marriage was already unbearable. I wasn’t ready to let him go. I’d rather endure the pain—over and over again—than lose him completely.
I was curled up on my bed, unable to even wipe away my tears as they fell nonstop. I didn’t even have the energy to reply to my worried friends, nor did I know what happened at the restaurant after I left. Eventually, I cried myself to sleep from exhaustion.
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The Next Morning…
I jolted awake when I heard my phone ringing. Still groggy, I reached for it on the table without checking who the caller was.
“Hello?” I greeted drowsily.
“Don’t forget to come early,” Ezeckiel’s angry voice barked from the other end. “Prepare yourself, Celestine. I don’t want you carrying my last name anymore—I hate you.”
My hand trembled, and I dropped the phone beside me. I felt my chest tighten with rage and frustration. He didn’t even give me the chance to explain… instead, he chose to listen to Eloisa.
Tears threatened to fall again, but I held them back. He didn’t deserve them—not when he wouldn’t listen to me. But I loved him so much… even if it hurt this badly.
Slowly, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom without energy or appetite. I forced myself through my morning routine. I needed to prepare myself for whatever would happen when I faced my husband.
Once I was dressed and ready, I made my way to our supposed meeting place. I hoped Eloisa would be there too. I had a few things I wanted her to hear.
But as I neared the location, another message from Ezeckiel came through.
The meeting was postponed.
He had something important to attend to.
Strangely, I felt relieved—thank God the separation talk wasn’t happening today. I really wasn’t ready yet.
I made a sharp U-turn and headed straight to Merylle’s beauty salon. On the way, I remembered how she and her cousin handled Eloisa yesterday. Honestly, she deserved worse. If it had been just me and her, I would’ve crushed her like the snake she is. But I couldn’t do that in front of my husband… not when I knew he’d always choose her.
Soon enough, I arrived at the beauty salon. As I stepped out of my car, my eyes landed on a very familiar vehicle.
That was Dad’s car.
What are they doing here?
A wave of anxiety crept in as I entered the salon. The cool air from the AC greeted me, and I instinctively hugged myself. My nerves were catching up fast.
I froze when I saw them—Mom, Dad… and Eloisa.
My hands clenched at my sides as I fought the anger rising in my chest.
Mom was the first to notice me. She looked surprised.
“Celestine!” she gasped softly. The other two turned toward me—Eloisa was getting her hair styled, and Dad looked up from the magazine he was reading on the couch.
Dad’s brows furrowed in disapproval when he saw me. His eyes were filled with disappointment, and I immediately lowered my gaze. I walked straight toward Merylle’s office, hoping to avoid confrontation.
Just then, I overheard Eloisa speaking to an employee.
“Is she one of your workers here?”
That line stung. But I kept walking toward the office. When I got there, it was empty—Merylle wasn’t around.
As I was about to head out again, Sai, the staff member Eloisa had spoken to earlier, met me at the door.
“What is it, Sai?” I asked.
“I’m really sorry, ma’am. She specifically requested that you be the one to do her hair,” she said timidly.
“Ah, okay. No problem. By the way, where’s Merylle? She’s not here.”
“She’s on the way, ma’am. Her stomach’s acting up from eating too much seafood yesterday,” she explained.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, thanks. I’ll just change real quick.”
“Okay, ma’am,” she said before leaving.
I locked the door and changed into a pink collared dress. I nearly jumped out of my skin when the door suddenly opened again—it was just Merylle.
My anxiety faded slightly when I saw her.
“My stomach is killing me, freny,” she groaned, flopping onto the sofa. “That damn Eloisa… maybe she’s part witch or something. Why did she have to come here, of all places? There are a hundred salons in the city, and she had to pick mine? I swear, I’ll shave her bald!”
“I’ll deal with her,” I said. “But wait—why do you think she’s a witch?”
“Remember when we pulled her hair yesterday? After that, she cursed us—said we’d have stomachaches. And now look! Both Sanya Margarette and I are suffering.”
“Serves you both right,” I laughed. “You know she’s toxic, yet you stooped to her level.”
Another knock interrupted us. It was Sai again.
“Oh no,” I muttered, smacking my forehead as I remembered Eloisa.
“Sorry again, ma’am. She’s getting impatient. She said she needs to leave soon and wants her hair done now.”
Just as I was about to respond, Merylle cut in.
“I’ll take care of her,” she snapped.
“But… ma’am, she said she wanted you,” Sai insisted.
“No! We’ll both do her hair. Let’s go, freny,” Merylle said, grabbing my arm.
When we returned, Eloisa already had her brows furrowed in annoyance. Mom was done with her haircut, and Dad looked freshly trimmed too. Eloisa was the only one left.
My eyes drifted toward Mom, who gave me a faint smile. But Dad immediately grabbed her hand when he noticed. The ache in my chest deepened—Dad had clearly taken Eloisa’s side.
I clenched my fist.
Eloisa stood and crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised.
“Took you long enough, Celestine. Is this how slow all your staff are? Pathetic,” she scoffed.
“Excuse me?” Merylle snapped. “I own this salon. And here, we don’t tolerate rude customers. Everyone leaves with a smile—except you, obviously. And for the record, we don’t serve anyone with a screw loose.”
“You again?” Eloisa spat, rolling her eyes.
Dad suddenly cleared his throat, making the three of us glance at him.
“Is this how you treat clients? So disrespectful—”
“Hon, stop,” Mom interrupted gently, placing a hand on his arm. “That’s enough. We’re not in private. People are watching. Let’s wait outside.” Then she turned to me. “Celestine, let someone else take care of Eloisa.”
“But Tita—!” Eloisa protested, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“Just follow what your aunt says,” Dad added, then quietly exited with Mom. She gave me another small smile as they left.
Merylle chuckled. I tried not to laugh, but a smirk found its way to my lips.
“Well, Eloisa?” I said, grinning. “Why don’t you sit and relax?”
Her jaw tightened, clearly seething. She stepped closer, raising her hand as if to point a finger in my face—but I quickly swatted it away.
“You’ve grown brave,” she hissed. “Enjoy this while it lasts, Celestine. Soon, Ezeckiel will be mine.”
“I’m not surprised, Eloisa,” I replied firmly. “You use dirty tactics to get what you want—but be careful. One day, you’ll choke on those lies. Go ahead, enjoy your time with Ezeckiel… but I will rise, and I’ll take back everything you stole from me.”
She glared at me for a moment, then stormed off in frustration, leaving Merylle and me victorious in silence.
- Writer
