Chapter 52 When the Last Sin Is Paid, I'll End It
The unknown waiting was worse than any punishment she could name.
Caroline's eyes drifted toward the desk phone without meaning to.
Maybe… she should call him? At least confirm if there was something he needed her to do. She was his assistant, wasn't she?
But as her fingers hovered close to the receiver, she froze.
Too many thoughts collided in her head.
What if he was in the middle of something important? What if her call interrupted him and sparked his anger? Would he see it as her trying to stir trouble, or suspect some ulterior motive?
Anxious hesitation knotted in her chest. More than once she reached for the phone, only to pull back just before her fingertips touched the receiver.
Finally, she abandoned the idea of calling.
Maybe she should go to him in person. If he wasn't busy, she could ask directly. If he was, she could retreat without a word, at least knowing where she stood.
She eased her office door open, her steps light as she crossed the hall toward Alexander's office.
But a few paces from his door, she stopped dead.
Through the narrow slats of the blinds, she caught sight of two bodies pressed close together.
The woman was small, delicate, dressed in a pink lace dress, leaning into Alexander's side.
Celeste.
She had appeared without a sound, now perched sideways on Alexander's lap, one arm draped around his neck, the other toying with the buttons of his suit jacket.
Alexander—usually so composed, so cold—was bent slightly toward her, eyes on her upturned face, a faint smile softening his mouth. It was indulgent, almost tender.
He let her whisper in his ear, sway his arm like a spoiled child.
Through the glass, Caroline caught fragments of their voices.
"Alex, when are you going to marry me?"
Alexander gave a low laugh, not dismissing the question.
"What's the rush? Once Caroline has paid for every sin she owes, I'll deal with her myself. Then you can have whatever you want."
"How long is that going to take?" Celeste's tone was edged with impatience. "I've waited so long. Edith's been gone for years."
"Easy. It won't be much longer."
His voice softened even more, patient as if soothing a sulking child.
"Have I ever gone back on a promise to you?"
Celeste seemed placated, though she still pouted a little, leaning deeper into his arms.
Outside the glass, Caroline stood frozen as ice flooded her veins. It spread fast, up her spine, into her scalp, until even her hair felt iced over.
He was going to… marry someone else?
Of course he was. Celeste was so much like Edith—she could mimic Edith's clothes, her tastes, even the smallest gestures. For five years she had perfected the role, pleasing everyone, inching her way into Alexander's heart. It wasn't hard.
No one could live forever in grief. Time was the cruelest, most effective medicine—it dulled everything, even love, even pain.
If the substitute was good enough, close enough, willing enough to fill the void, then eventually even Edith's face would blur in memory. People would only sigh over her short life, then shift all their affection and care to the living Celeste.
Caroline felt a sudden pang for Edith. Edith deserved better than to be replaced like this.
And her? What was Caroline supposed to be?
The outlet for a love Alexander couldn't have? The proof he hadn't forgotten Edith, sustained by tormenting her? A living target for his punishment, his grief?
Now, with a new substitute in place, was her role as the sinner and the tool nearly over?
He had just told Celeste that once Caroline's sins were cleared, he would "deal with her himself."
How would he deal with her?
Discard her like trash in the filthiest, most dangerous corner of Grandhaven, leaving her to rot in humiliation and sickness? Or simply erase her altogether?
Maybe… that wouldn't be so bad. She was meant to die anyway. Death could be a kind of release.
But the way he spoke of it… that release sounded terrifying.
"Madam?"
The voice behind her was startled.
Caroline flinched hard, spinning around.
It was Liam.
"Are you all right? You look pale. Do you need me to call a doctor?"
He was frowning at the tears in her eyes, stepping closer.
No. He couldn't know. He couldn't tell Alexander she had been watching.
Caroline shook her head quickly, hands moving in frantic gestures, pleading.
Her eyes seemed to say, "Don't make a sound! Please! And don't go in there—don't tell Alexander!"
Liam's expression shifted, caught off guard by her desperation. Then his gaze slid past her, through the blinds, to the intimate scene inside.
He was silent for several seconds, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
Finally, he gave a small nod, stepping aside.
"If you don't need help, madam, please go back to your office. There's a draft here."
Relief washed over her. She didn't look at the window again. Head down, she hurried back to her office.
Liam stayed where he was, watching her retreat with a sigh.
Inside, no one noticed Alexander's face begin to harden, even as Celeste curled against him.
Celeste was oblivious, still purring into his shoulder.
"Alex, you haven't spent time with me in ages. Let's go to the movies tonight. There's a new one I think is perfect."
Alexander smiled indulgently, ruffling her hair.
"Of course."
"Will you come back to the apartment tonight?" Celeste hooked her arms around his neck, eyes locked on his. "It's so boring when you're not there. I had to go shopping just to pass the time. Oh, and I bought a gorgeous new set of sleepwear."