Chapter 9

The word "apologize" landed softly in Celeste's ears, and her hands that were resting before her suddenly clenched. She looked up, and her gaze locked onto Adrian's face. In the warm, amber light, the sharp lines of his jaw had softened slightly—almost deceptively. He lifted a faint smile but said nothing. The family dinner tonight had indeed been arranged to welcome him home, and yet, it had ended in chaos. "I'm sorry, Uncle Adrian..." Damien said with a slight frown. "I should've stopped her. I shouldn't have let her ruin the family dinner like that. "After all, it's rare to have the whole family together like this. We don't know when we'll get another chance." Adrian glanced at him with a cool, almost detached gaze. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "I recall Ms. Morin said that it wasn't her doing. I'd suggest you look into it more carefully. Don't let a moment of frustration lead you to pin the blame on someone who might be innocent." Celeste's eyes snapped up in disbelief. But he didn't look at her, not even once. Even he was willing to believe her. And yet the man she had once loved, and the son she had raised, still couldn't stop defending Lucy. Damien was taken aback by Adrian's words. If he wasn't mistaken, this was the second time tonight Adrian had spoken in her defense. "Uncle Adrian, that's because you don't know her. Three years ago, she framed Lucy. That's why she went to prison. "And now she's turned on her own child. What's left to investigate? She clearly did it." Celeste's hands curled into fists again, and her nails dug into her palms. A sharp pain shot through her, but she barely felt it. Adrian let out a low chuckle. "Is that so?" "Yes! Great-Uncle Adrian—" Lucian piped up from the side. "Mom really did hurt Lucy before. Lucy's really nice. I don't get why she would do something like that." "It's because she's jealous, that's why. She's always been petty and small-minded. She could never stand anyone else getting attention. "Three years in prison didn't change her wicked nature—she comes out and goes after her own child. She's not even fit to be a mother." Damien's voice had risen a pitch, sharp and cutting, though disguised as a casual complaint. Every word was a blade aimed at Celeste. Hidden beneath the desk, Celeste's blood boiled. There had been a time when such accusations would've broken her and left her in tears, but not anymore. Now, there was no room for sorrow—only fury. So this was what it meant when a heart had truly died. Even the chill of betrayal no longer stung. Celeste loosened her fists slightly. Her body shifted instinctively, perhaps out of frustration, and her elbow accidentally bumped the desk wall. A dull thud shattered the tense silence. "What was that?" Damien's grip on Lucian's hand tightened instinctively. "Uncle Adrian... that sounded like it came from under your desk." Adrian lowered his eyes, casting a brief, unreadable look toward the noise. Celeste looked up too. And in that instant, their eyes met, just for a second. Then she quickly looked away, retreating her hand, and froze. Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. The whole situation was so absurd that it almost felt like being caught in the middle of an illicit affair. Adrian leaned back in his chair, and when he saw Celeste avert her gaze, he did the same. A faint, almost teasing curve tugged at the corner of his lips—somewhere between a smile and not. With an offhand tone, he said, "There's a restless little kitten under the table." As the words landed, Celeste swallowed hard. Adrian… his mind worked fast—scarily fast. "A cat?" Lucian's eyes lit up. "Great-Uncle Adrian, you have a cat?" "Mm-hmm." Adrian nodded. "Picked her up just today." "Can I see her? I really love cats! But Mommy and Daddy never let me have one..." "Not today, I'm afraid." Adrian's tone turned unusually gentle, almost indulgent. "She's still getting used to the place and a bit temperamental. She might scare you." "Then... maybe next time?" Lucian asked hopefully. Adrian gave a small nod but didn't respond further. Sensing the displeasure in his gaze, Damien took Lucian's hand and stood up. "Uncle Adrian, it's getting late. I'll take Lucian home. Let's catch up properly sometime soon." Adrian hummed in acknowledgment, giving a cool nod as he watched them go. Once the sound of their footsteps faded, Celeste slowly raised her head. "Come out, little kitten." His deep, velvety voice made her freeze in place. To her, Adrian had always been an untouchable figure—powerful, resourceful, and commanding respect wherever he went. In the business world, few could stand beside him. Whenever he appeared in public, he carried a cold, noble presence that kept everyone at arm's length. She never expected to see this side of him. When Adrian slid his chair back, she crawled out quickly. She caught a glimpse of how he subtly shielded the edge of the desk with his hand. "Thank you today, Mr. Wrenford," she said with a slight bow and a faint smile. "It was nothing," Adrian replied. His face returned to its usual aloofness. "We're family. No need to be so formal." "Not for long," Celeste said firmly with her eyes full of clarity and resolve. "I'm going to divorce Damien. I'm not just saying it. I mean it." Adrian frowned slightly before speaking in a calm voice. "Damien told me you were in prison?" "I was," she answered without hesitation. Adrian leaned in slightly with his fingers interlaced on the table. The pad of his index finger, adorned with a black ring, tapped lightly against the back of his other hand. Then he lifted his eyes, dark and luminous, like liquid obsidian, and fixed them steadily on her. "Getting out of prison isn't the end. It's just the beginning. Everything gets harder. So why choose now to divorce Damien?" His voice was quiet, calm, and devoid of any emotion. Celeste looked him straight in the eye. His pupils were impossibly dark, like a frozen lake in winter—still, deep, and utterly unreadable. "Because I was a fool before," she said slowly. "I chased after love like it was everything. But now I see reality. Staying would be the real mistake. And I'm done being stupid. "Going to prison is part of my past, and it doesn't define my future. I won't let a marriage be the chains that hold me back."