Chapter 7 - The Price of a Lie
At eight the next morning, Adrian met Celeste in the breakfast room. He wanted answers without shouting. He didn't trust himself to manage both.
She wore a pale sweater and carried a cup of tea, looking almost gentle. For three years he'd mistaken that careful poise for kindness.
“You embarrassed me,” she began.
“You tried to force Mateo into a false confession.”
“He misunderstood.”
“Lucy and Ben are safe.”
The cup rattled against its saucer.
Celeste recovered quickly. “I'm glad. Poor children.”
“Where is their mother?”
“I have no idea.”
“Why did you sell their land?”
Her expression hardened. “Because it was ours. Martin handled the paperwork.”
“Then you'll have no problem suspending the sale.”
“I've made commitments.”
“So have I.” Adrian set his engagement ring on the table. He had never worn it to work, and Celeste always complained about that. “We are done.”
She stared at the ring. “You can't mean that.”
“I mean every word.”
“You think that man downstairs and two frightened children are worth destroying our future?”
“Our future?” Adrian leaned forward. “A future built on somebody else's stolen life?”
Celeste's eyes shone, but he couldn't tell whether it was grief or rage.
“Ask your sister what your father did,” she whispered. “She'll tell you we're not the only monsters in this house.”
“That's exactly what I'm doing.”
He rose. Behind him, Celeste said, “You never asked why I wanted the pitcher destroyed.”
May you like
Adrian turned.
She wiped her cheek. “Your mother left something inside the handle. I didn't find it until yesterday.”
