Chapter 6 - The Architect's Reconstruction
Three weeks passed.
At the private estate in Foxworth, the atmosphere was serene and quiet. The sun shone bright over the lake as Celeste sat in a comfortable plush armchair on the sunlit veranda, nursing Ivy.
Her surgical scars were healing cleanly, thanks to strict bed rest and top-tier medical care. Her color had returned, her eyes were bright, and the quiet confidence that had been crushed during her four years with Wade had bloomed back into full force.
Maya sat across from her, sipping iced tea while leafing through court filings.
"Wade’s bail was denied," Maya reported smoothly. "The judge deemed him a flight risk after the forensic team found two hidden accounts in the Cayman Islands under his name. He’s currently sitting in the county jail waiting for his trial."
"And his legal defense?" Celeste asked gently, burping Ivy over her shoulder.
"He tried to hire three different high-profile defense attorneys," Maya laughed softly. "Every single one of them declined the case the moment they realized Vanguard Holdings was the plaintiff. Nobody wants to fight the Montgomery legal team. He’s currently stuck with a court-appointed public defender."
"And Lorraine?"
"She was forced to sell her clothes and jewelry at a consignment shop to pay off her back rent at that motel," Maya said, showing Celeste a picture on her phone. "She’s currently staying in a tiny, one-bedroom basement apartment on the outskirts of town. She tried to call your office seventeen times yesterday, begging to talk to you. She even claimed she wanted to see her granddaughter."
Celeste’s eyes grew cold. "She didn't care about her granddaughter when she left me to suffer through labor alone while she enabled her son’s infidelity. Tell security that if she sets foot within five hundred yards of this estate, or anywhere near Ivy, she will be arrested immediately for violation of the restraining order."
"Consider it done," Maya said.
At that moment, Thomas walked onto the veranda carrying a silver tray with a sealed wax envelope.
"A letter for you, Ms. Celeste," Thomas said respectfully. "It was delivered via courier from the Mecklenburg District Attorney’s office."
Celeste opened the envelope and pulled out the document. It was a formal plea offer drafted by Wade’s public defender, begging for a reduced sentence in exchange for a full confession and the surrender of all remaining claims to any shared property or child custody.
Attached to the legal paperwork was a hand-written note from Wade, scrawled on rough, lined jail paper.
Celeste, Please. I’m begging you. I made a terrible mistake. Brynn manipulated me. My mother pressured me. I was foolish and blind, but I always loved you. I know you still care about me—we have a daughter together! Please drop the charges. Give me a second chance to be a father to Ivy and a husband to you. I’ll do anything you ask. I’ll work for you. Just don't destroy my life.
Celeste read the letter twice. A small, sad smile touched her lips. He still didn't understand. Even in jail, wearing an orange jumpsuit, Wade believed he could manipulate her with cheap sentimentality and blame shifting.
She picked up a pen, signed the bottom of the legal document approving the maximum criminal prosecution without plea concessions, and folded Wade’s hand-written letter in half.
"Thomas," Celeste said quietly.
May you like
"Yes, Ms. Celeste?"
"Take this note and throw it in the fireplace."
