Chapter 8
“The first time Jonah and I set a wedding date, you claimed you had just had surgery and were having a hard time abroad. You couldn’t sleep well at night or eat proper meals, so you wanted Jonah to go over there to accompany you. Even though we had already sent out our wedding invites by then, he dropped everything and flew to you,” I reminded Sasha.
“The second time we set our wedding date, you said you needed to go somewhere remote to get inspiration for your art. You also claimed there would be poor reception there and that you wouldn’t be able to stay in touch at all times.
“You kept dropping hints about how dangerous it was out there and how you might suddenly drop all contact with everyone. Jonah was so worried about you that he followed you there.”
I continued, “As for the third time, you arranged to launch your art exhibition on the same day of our wedding ceremony. Even a fool can figure out why you did that. Yet here you are, asking me why I’m turning my back on Jonah.
“Well, why don’t you ask yourself something instead? Since you think he’s so great, why don’t you marry him? Why are you just stringing him along, letting him remain as your lap dog throughout these years?”
Sasha turned pale. Eyes brimming with tears, she covered her mouth to hide her sobs,
looking all frail and pitiful.
“That’s not true. That was never my intention. I never knew you misunderstood me that much. I have never thought about coming between you and Jonnie!”
Meanwhile, Jonah finally snapped back to his senses, but unfortunately, the bodyguards held him back. All he could do was fix his eyes on me and yell, “You said you love me, Celeste! How can you get married to another man instead? You lied to me!”
Toying with my lace gloves, I replied, “I did love you, but I don’t anymore. I got too tired. I’m in love with someone else now, and marrying him is a dream come true for me. Don’t
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Chapter 8
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you have someone else that you’ve loved all these years too? Isn’t this for the best then? We both get to marry the person we want to marry.”
However, Jonah continued to protest, saying, “I didn’t agree to break up with you!”
Austin, who was still shielding me, replied, “Celeste already told you she wants to end
things with you. She doesn’t need your permission to call it quits. Plenty of people are gathered here today. Are you sure you want everyone to find out all about the things you’ve
done?”
Putting an arm around my shoulder, Austin said gently, “Celeste, remember the professor I mentioned? He’s one of the guests here today. You can ask him about the research paper you want to get published.”
Jonah continued to throw a fit. He even tried to grab at me again. “I won’t allow you to be
with another man, Celeste!”
Immediately, Austin punched Jonah in the face.
“That’s enough. Don’t push your luck. If not out of respect for Mr. and Mrs. Alston, you wouldn’t be getting away with just a punch.”
Mr. and Mrs. Alston hastened over to hold Jonah back while profusely apologizing to Austin
and me.
“We’re so sorry! It’s our fault for not raising him right. We’ll get him out of here right away!” Mr. Alston said.
Grabbing Jonah by the collar, he snarled, “You’ve caused enough trouble! Get out of here. Haven’t you humiliated our family enough already?”
Sasha seized her chance to help Jonah up, but not before making sure that she said just loud enough for everyone to hear, “Don’t be angry with Jonnie, Mr. Alston. This is all Celeste’s
fault.”
I turned back around and walked up to her.
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“It’s my fault, you say? How so?” I questioned. “Is it my fault that you got in bed with the man who was supposed to be my fiancé? Is it my fault that I let you into the house that was meant to be my marital home? Is it my fault that you wore my nightgown and seduced my ex–fiancé?
“Well, in that case, you’re right. It’s my fault. It never occurred to me that the prim and
proper Ms. Lester, the much–acclaimed artist, was secretly fond of being a
homewrecker.”
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