Chapter 45 A Smile Too Bright
\-Celeste-
I let out an exasperated sigh as I deleted the last of twenty-two messages from Grandmother. I’d only replied to one, with a curt, “I’m fine.”
My thumb hovered over the screen for a moment longer, as if lingering might make the next one—from my father, easier to read.
I reclined on the bed, my mind drifting back to that night.
The thought that we could have both lost our lives pressed down on me like a physical weight. Even worse was the idea that only one of us could have survived. It haunted me.
And Lucien, the way he looked at me this morning, was like he knew more than I did.
Perhaps he felt the same way too? Or was it just another night of inconvenience for him?
At that moment, the door opened, and Denise stepped in. She looked more distraught than I felt.
She came with David, each carrying a small flask. I guessed it was food and my stomach instantly growled.
I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.
Denise set the flask down and immediately pulled me into a tight hug. “Oh… for a moment, I feared the worst had happened. And when you didn’t answer my calls…” Her voice trailed off, like speaking it aloud might make it real.
“I’m fine, Denise,” I said softly, letting her go.
David stayed just behind her, hands casually in his pockets, but the way he watched me—relieved, yet something deeper in his eyes made my chest tighten for no reason I could name.
“I hope you don’t mind I came,” he said with a small smile. “I had to make sure you were alright.”
I nodded. “Thank you… both of you.”
Denise’s hand lingered on my arm, worry etched across her face. “You scared us,” she murmured.
David’s gaze didn’t waver, warm and steady in a way that made me feel… strangely protected. I had no idea why, but it felt important, somehow.
“We’re not letting anything happen to you,” he said quietly, almost like a promise.
At that moment, his phone rang, and he stepped outside to answer it.
Denise reached for her bag, pulling out something wrapped in brown paper, excited to show me.
“This came into the shop today,” she grinned, hurriedly unwrapping the paper. “It’s the magazine!” She squealed, holding it up like a happy toddler.
I reached for it, ripping through the clear film, and a wave of happiness washed over me.
Legacy Magazine.
I held it in my hands, my fingers gliding over the smooth, glossy cover.
The cover.
God. That was me.
My face. My name.
It felt unreal.
Denise was saying something—something about the perks of being the cover girl, about getting the magazine before everyone else, but her words blurred into the background. None of that mattered.
Because, for once, I wasn’t just Celeste Ashford.
I was the face of Gâteau Celeste.
And that realization meant everything to me.
The moment was immediately interrupted by my phone ringing. I glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Lilith.
Quickly, I answered, half-relieved, half-eager that she’d called back.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Celeste. I’m outside and these cops won’t let me through.” She began, her voice irritated.
She’d come here? My mind reeled.
“Have a word with them,” she said.
“Um…Okay? Can you let her through? She’s…my guest.”
Why did this feel so awkward?
Moments later, Lilith arrived, strutting in like she owned the place.
She held a small bouquet of flowers and a note.
She looked different.
Something about the sleek boots, beige coat and perfectly styled hair screamed, I’ve finally figured out life.
She carefully set the bouquet on the center table, a small smile tugging at her lips as she approached me, eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t even place.
“Hi, Celeste.” She began, smooth. Confident.
What’s gotten into her? I wondered.
At the same time, Denise rose to leave, but Lilith quickly held up her hand.
“You don’t have to leave. Trust me, this won’t take long.”
Denise’s eyes met mine, and we exchanged looks as she sank back into her seat.
Turning to me again, Lilith smiled. A little too bright.
I wasn’t sure what to say. I spoke anyway. “Last night… You called. You said something about the accident, you were—”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She cut in, her smile locked in place.
I blinked, confused.
She continued, dismissively. “It must have been the sedatives or whatever was given to you.”
“But you sounded panicked,” I pressed. “Frightened. I thought something had happened—”
She scoffed, cutting me off. “What could have possibly happened at our home, Celeste? As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.” She arched her brow.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of my tongue.
“Then why are you even here?” I asked.
She shrugged lightly, as if the answer were obvious. “I came to check on you. What would the public say if I didn’t show up as your sister?”
“So… that’s it?”
“Yes.” She glanced at her wristwatch, her voice carefully distant. “Mother and I will be praying for your speedy recovery. I have somewhere else to be now. Get well soon, Celeste. Stay safe.”
And just like that, she was done. How could a person be so calculated and confusing at the same time?
Just then, David entered and Lilith paused as she passed him, tilting her head just slightly, her eyes catching his for a brief moment. He stared, caught off guard, like they shared some unspoken history.
Then, just as suddenly, she snapped forward and strode out of the room, heels clicking sharply against the floor.
I immediately turned to David, murmuring an apology.
“…She’s my half-sister. She’s always been like that.”
He smiled, waving it off. “Oh, I’ve heard of her. The infamous Lilith Ashford, right?”
Denise’s eyes flashed, and she let out a soft gasp.
I blinked, still trying to process. “Wait… what do you mean?”
David grinned, leaning closer. “I know this isn’t the time, but I’m excited. I can’t wait—you’ve been fully booked for the whole of next month. People are lining up for your pastries like it’s a show, and it’s all thanks to Fae Winters.”
Denise clutched my arm, eyes wide with disbelief. “Fully… booked? For the whole month?!”
My mouth went dry. Excitement, panic, and disbelief swirled together. This… this was more than I’d ever imagined.