A deep voice came from downstairs at that moment. It was Damien, probably back to send Lucian off to school. Celeste watched as Alaric made his way downstairs, palpable anger emanating from him with each step. It seemed like it wasn’t going to be a peaceful morning either.
By the time Celeste arrived at the dining table, Alaric was already unleashing a torrent of angry questions at Damien. “Where were you last night? Why weren’t you…” Adrian, seated beside Alaric and just about to have his breakfast, interrupted.
“There was an urgent work matter that came up around midnight, so I had to rush out. It got so late that I just crashed at the office instead of coming home.”
As soon as his words were out, a flash of cynicism crossed Celeste’s face. So, it seemed that “work” now conveniently involved encounters with Lucy. A deeper shade of anger flushed Alaric’s face, his voice rising with each word. “Are your professional obligations more crucial than your marriage? It’s perfectly understandable why Celeste wanted out. What wife wouldn’t, after your treatment?”
“She locked me out last night. Wouldn’t open the door when I went upstairs. I had work to do, so I just left.” Damien punctuated his words with a sharp, displeased glance at Celeste, his full eyes betraying a well of controlled rage. A chilling realization washed over Celeste at how effortlessly the lie rolled off his tongue. He didn’t even flinch. How had she never noticed that Damien was a seasoned liar?
“I’m sorry. I was so drunk last night and didn’t hear you knocking,” Celeste said faintly, without much expression on her face.
Raising his voice in disbelief, Damien retorted, “No one sleeps that soundly, no matter how much they’ve had to drink! You simply didn’t want me in there. Why are you trying to twist the situation?”
“It’s getting late. Just sit down and have your breakfast. Don’t you still need to take Lucian to school?” Adrian, who had been silent until now, finally spoke to break the tension.
With Adrian stepping in, Damien didn’t speak further. Lucian, already prepared with his backpack, turned to Celeste with a concerned expression as he was about to pull out his chair. “Dad, I’m going to be late for school,” he stated. “Can we skip breakfast and you drive me there now?”
“Alright, I’ll take you to school first.” Damien pushed his chair back. After all, they were still at the Wrenford residence. Celeste had to at least act like a responsible mother in front of the elders. “I’ll come with you!” she announced. Lucian’s voice overlapped with Celeste’s, “No, it’s okay. Dad will take me.”
Margot handed Lucian an egg and a bottle of milk. “Take these. You can eat on the way to school.”
“Thanks, Grandma.”
Margot and Alaric, claiming they had already had breakfast, headed out to walk in the garden after Damien left with Lucian. Celeste and Adrian were left in the dining room. The atmosphere grew subtly tense after everyone else was gone. It made her feel slightly uneasy.
“Since you’re already here, have some breakfast before you leave.” Adrian’s deep voice sounded. She instinctively turned her head and met his gaze. His eyes held the stillness and depth of a frozen lake in winter, their secrets impenetrable.
She nodded silently and quietly pulled out a chair. It wasn’t the intimacy that was unsettling; rather, it was because they had shared a room last night. It was the most excruciating breakfast she had ever had. It wasn’t because the food was unappetizing, and she still hadn’t given him a reasonable explanation. The air around them seemed thick with unspoken words, a tangible weight that pressed in on them. The feeling was akin to a persistent irritation, an unwelcome presence that refused to be ignored. They barely spoke and ate their breakfast quietly. It was only when Celeste stood up after finishing her breakfast that Adrian finally murmured, “Do you want me to give you a ride?”