2/2
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Four
Celeste’s POV
I spun around and my eyes searched through the crowd. They lit up when they landed on Bonnie, who let go of Vanessa’s hand and ran towards me. She had an excited smile on her pretty face.
God, I had missed her.
My heart swelled with anticipation. As she neared me, I crouched down and opened my arms for her to jump into I hadn’t seen my baby in ages.
But Bonnie ran past me and my heart fell through the exhibition floor.
I turned around to watch her run straight to Damien. He swept her off the floor and into his arms, carrying her on his hip. Her giggles were like a thousand pinpricks to my chest.
“Hey, honey.” I said, my heart in a million pieces. “Mommy’s so happy to see you.”
She regarded me for a moment.
“Hello, Mommy.”
Bonnie spoke with an air of indifference before turning back to her father. Her eyes beamed as she smiled at him like he was her entire world. Vanessa strolled over and gave Damien a peck on the cheek.
They looked like a picture perfect family.
With a pang, I noticed how much thinner Bonnie was. She was dressed in expensive designer clothing, but her ⚫skin was pale and her eyes were hollow, Were they really taking good care of my daughter?
Vanessa leaned into Damien’s side, looking me up and down before her gaze landed on Ryan.
“Wow, Celeste.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “You wasted no time finding a new man. How progressive of you.”
It felt like Damien had called for reinforcements. I had used up all my patience dealing with him and had none left for Vanessa.
“It’s really none of your business, Vanessa.” I shot back coldly. “But at least I didn’t resort to stealing someone else’s husband.”
She gave me a fake pout.
“Don’t feel bad, Celeste. It’s not something that just anyone can accomplish.”
How was this woman so brazen? It was like she genuinely believed she was better than me because she seduced my husband. She had an inflated ego and a warped view of reality.
She and Damien were two peas in a rotten pod.
“Even your daughter prefers me.” Vanessa said with a smirk, tucking a lock behind Bonnie’s ear.
A gold stud with a gemstone sparkled from her earlobe. My eyebrows creased and my face darkened as I realized my daughter was wearing earrings.
My eyes flashed as I turned to Vanessa.
“How could you pierce Bonnie’s ears without asking my permission?” I asked vehemently.
1/3
*25 8000
Chapter Twenty Four
“It was what Bonnie wanted.” She said with a nonchalant shrug. “I just wanted to make her happy.
I turned to Bonnie and asked, “Is that true, honey?”
She nodded, smiling at Vanessa from Damien’s arms.
I couldn’t believe they were leaving a five–year–old to make such serious decisions about her health and body. There could have been lifelong repercussions.
“This was a thoughtless decision. She’s too young to have her ears pierced.” I said firmly, “They could have gotten infected or torn and left permanent scarring.”
“But she looks so pretty.” Vanessa said, giving Bonnie a tickle.
I gave her a hard look. “Bonnie looks pretty without them, too. I was going to let her pierce her ears at thirteen- the age recommended by professionals.”
Vanessa glared at me before smiling sweetly at Damien.
“Baby,” she cooed. “There are so many beautiful pieces on display. Won’t you buy some jewelry for me?”
Bonnie bounced in his arms.
“I want also! Please buy something for me, Daddy!”
Vanessa sent me a smirk as she leaned into Damien, stretching to his ear.
“Aw babe, please get Bonnie something.” She whispered loudly. “I think she’d love a pair of earrings.
Vanessa gave Bonnie a conspiratorial wink as Damien melted between them.
“Anything for my girls.” He said, turning to our daughter. “What do you want?”
I watched them silently, my emotions a tangled mess.
On the one hand, Bonnie looked happy with her new family. But on the other hand, I was seriously concerned about how they were taking care of her. They had put her health in jeopardy, landed her in the hospital, weren’t keeping her well nourished, and were raising her to be materialistic.
Ryan gently nudged my shoulder. I glanced up to see him looking down at me with a concerned crease between his
brows.
“Are you okay, Celeste?” he asked softly.
Just as I was about to answer with a definite no,
Bonnie spoke.
“I want earrings like Auntie Vanessa’s.” She said excitedly. “I found them in her room when she left me at home last night.”
Alarm bells blared through my head.
I turned to Vanessa, struggling to keep my voice even.
“Where was Bonnie when you fetched Damien from my mother’s house last night?”
She looked at me in shock before turning her doe eyes on Damien.
“I was so worried about you, babe. Celeste said she was going to call the police if I didn’t fetch you right away.” Her voice trembled. “Bonnie wasn’t supposed to wake up.
That was the last straw.
2/3
Chapter Twenty Four
425 BONUS
“Damien,” I said, my voice as hard as iron. “You and Vanessa have been grossly negligent and I won’t stand by and watch as you endanger my child. I will be fighting for custody of Bonnie.”
With that, I grasped Ryan’s hand and walked away, prepared for the battle ahead.
3/3
