Chapter 56

To manage both her personal and professional contacts, Celeste had specifically purchased a dual-SIM phone. When she saw the number on the screen, she couldn’t help but feel it was strangely familiar, like she had seen it somewhere before. A moment later, it clicked. She quickly opened the contacts list on her primary SIM and compared it to the number on her secondary SIM. Her pupils widened slightly. She wondered why Adrian had the number of her secondary SIM. She didn’t know how he had gotten hold of it.

Before she could think further, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. “Lucian’s graduation ceremony is today. You’ll be attending, right? The teacher said that parents should attend together to give the kids a perfect graduation.”

Celeste, startled by the footsteps approaching behind her, quickly turned off her phone’s screen. She swiftly tossed it into her bag by the bedside before the man got too close. To her surprise, Damien hadn’t left yet. She turned around, giving him a cold, indifferent look. Her voice was frosty as she said, “I have something important to take care of today. I don’t have time for his graduation ceremony.”

She had just taken a step forward when his hand suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her to a halt. “Celeste, Lucian isn’t just my child. You didn’t attend his parent meetings before, and now you’re skipping such an important event as his graduation ceremony. Is this how you act as a mother?”

“I’ve never been needed as a mother or wife, whether by him or by you. What difference does it make if I go? Lucy will be there, after all.” Her tone was calm, but a biting coldness lingered in her voice.

Damien’s grip on her arm tightened. “I don’t care that you’ve been to prison, or that you’ve embarrassed us, but you’re the one who keeps pushing us away. You’re the one choosing to distance yourself. You really are—”

“If you’re so worried about me embarrassing you, why even make me go?” Celeste’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile, the chill in her expression growing colder.

“Regardless, you’re going today.”

“What if I don’t?” She lifted her gaze, her eyes sharp and cold as she locked onto his.

Damien’s anger flared. “Are you trying to make me angry?”

“I don’t have the time or energy for that. Please, just sign the papers and don’t waste any more time.” Her voice remained detached. “If you’re worried about Alaric’s health and can’t handle the truth, you can just not tell him for now. We can go get the divorce certificate first.”

“Are you telling me to lie to Grandpa? You can do that, but I can’t.” His expression was dark, and his voice filled with displeasure.

“I’ll do anything to get this divorce,” Celeste replied without hesitation. She swiftly pulled her wrist free from his grip and walked toward the wardrobe with determined steps.

Meanwhile, by the door, Adrian, who had only intended to go downstairs, had overheard the entire conversation. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he heard their exchange. Once the footsteps faded, he made his way downstairs.

As soon as Damien opened the door to leave, he saw Adrian’s retreating figure as he descended the stairs. At that moment, Lucian’s voice called out, “Dad, today’s my graduation ceremony. Will Lucy be there? I called her, but she didn’t answer…”

Upon hearing Lucian’s voice, Damien instinctively glanced toward Adrian, who was walking down the stairs. After confirming that Adrian didn’t look back, he replied softly, “I’ll call Lucy in a bit, alright?”

“Okay! Thanks, Dad.” Lucian’s face lit up with excitement. “Mom doesn’t need to come, but Lucy absolutely has to! You have to make sure she comes, okay?”

Chapter 57