Chapter 35
Marcus watched her curiously and asked, “You’re not staying to take care of me tonight?”
Celeste smiled, tilting her head slightly. “Mr. Hale, you seem perfectly fine to me. You don’t look like you need a caretaker right now, so I think it’s safe for me to go home, don’t you?”
Marcus nodded and said nothing more. Celeste turned and walked out of the hospital, his gaze trailing after her.
By the time Celeste arrived home. Rafferty, Declan, and Isolde were all back as well.
Declan’s health had been steadily improving. He no longer needed supplemental oxygen, and as long as he avoided strenuous activity. he was fine.
Because of that, the doctors finally cleared him for discharge.
was nowhere.
Now, he was lounging on the sofa, eating fruit with Isolde, while Rafferty sat nearby, flipping through documents. Amara was in sight.
a towel. “Cel
“Celeste, you’re home! Go wash
Just as Celeste wondered where she was, Amara emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a up, dinner’s ready.”
Celeste nodded and headed toward the bathroom.
Hearing Amara mention Celeste’s return. Rafferty immediately set his documents aside and got up, walking straight to her.
“Finished washing up? Come on,” he said warmly, guiding her to the dining table. His enthusiasm was obvious, and he seemed to have completely forgotten about the two still sitting on the couch.
Isolde watched the scene unfold, her fingers tightening. She felt jealous.
Before Celeste came back, she and Declan had been the ones who received all the attention.
But now, it felt like they had been pushed aside entirely.
Declan might complain about losing favor, but at least he could complain. Isolde, on the other hand, had no such privilege.
As an adopted daughter, she had no right to compete with Celeste, the true heiress of the Huxley family.
Only after Celeste was seated did Rafferty and Annara finally call Declan and Isolde over for dinner.
Declan as easygoing as ever, didn’t seem to mind.
He was still watching a gaming video on his phone as he made his way to the table, settling into the seat next to Celeste.
Glancing at his screen and noticing he was watching a Nocturne Alliance match, Celeste raised an eyebrow. “You like Nocturne Alliance?”
Declan’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with surprise, “You know Nocturne Alliance?” he asked, narrowing his gaze in disbelief. “Wait- you’re a fan too?
Celeste chuckled. Of course, she was because she owned the team.
“Yeah, I like them,” she admitted.
Declan had never expected Celeste to share an interest with him.
Declan’s jaw nearly dropped “No way. You, too?” His excitement grew as he pressed, “Alright, then–who’s your favorite?”
Celeste thought for a moment before answering. I like all five members
Declan scoffed playfully “Come on, everyone has a favorite:
After a brief pause, she replied, “If I had to choose… probably the captain.”
It only made sense to name herself. That way, the other four wouldn’t feel like she was pi
picking favorites.
“No way! She’s my favorite too! Ilis excitement mounted, “Listen, in a few days, Nocturne Alliance is holding a fan meet–up in
Chapter 35
Ravenshire. You have to come with the“
His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he waited for her answer. Celeste hesitated briefly before nodding “Sure, why not?
Yes I’ll send you the details later, Declan grinned, looking absolutely thrilled.
Rafferty and Amara exchanged glances, watching as the two unexpectedly found common ground.
A silent understanding passed between them–perhaps this was a step toward bridging the gap between the siblings.
Rafferty had originally been against Declan attending the event, thinking it was a waste of time. But now that Celeste was going too, he didn’t object anymore
e need is
He turned to Celeste Celeste, Declan’s health isn’t back to normal. Make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. The last thing we him passing out from excitement after seeing his idols”
Celeste nodded. Isolde clenched her fork tighter, feeling an unbearable frustration twist inside her.
She had never felt so out of place in the Huxley family before. And she seriously doubted that Celeste even knew anything about the Nocturne Alliance
de up a lie.
a lie to get on his good side.
She was convinced Celeste had just glanced at Declan’s phone and made
I need to expose her. Let Declan see that Celeste is nothing but a fraud, she thought.
Feigning curiosity, holde gave Celeste a sweet smile. “Since you’re such a big fan of Nocturne Alliance, you must play the game too, right?
Celeste mer
met her
er gaze calmly. “Yeah,”
Holdes smile widened, “Oh! Then what rank are you?” She turned to Declan with exaggerated admiration. “You must be at least close to Declan’s level, right?”
Celeste shrugged. “Same as Declan
holde gasped. “Wow! That’s impressive!” Her voice dripped with artificial enthusiasm. Im not very good at the game myself, Maybe you could carry me for a few rounds tonight?
Celeste had been looking forward to an early night.
The last thing she wanted was to grind through ranked matches now.
“Another time, she replied smoothly.
Lolde, despite smiling, felt a flicker of triumph.
She thought. She refused. That means she’s lying.
Celeste will probably spend the next few days secretly practicing–or worse,
e, she’ll buy an account just to keep up the act
‘She does anything to stay in Declan’s good graces.
Oblivious to holde’s scheming, Celeste quietly finished her dinner.
After the meal, the excused herself to shower. Rafferty and Amara tidied up before heading upstairs as well.
Declan lingered in the li
living room for a while longer.
As he was about to go up. Isolde suddenly called out. “Declan”
Declan turned around “What’s up, holde?”
She beutated, biting her lip. “I. I don’t know if I should say this”
Declan came to her. “Come on, just say it
Isolde ulently assessed Declan’s attitude. She wanted to be sure that his feelings toward her hadn’t changed before she made her move.
23
1035 AM
Chapter 35
Isolde shifted uncomfortably, lowering her voice. “It’s about your biological sister, Celeste. I’m worried you’ll be angry”
Declan thought, I don’t have a good relationship with Celeste anyway. So even if Isolde badmouths her in front of me, it’s not really my problem. It’s not like I’m the one being insulted
“Come on. Isolde,” he said casually. “Whatever you want to say, just say it. I promise I won’t get mad at you.”
Isokle’s lips curled slightly. That was exactly the reassurance she needed. She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. “I think she lied about being a Nocturne Alliance fan.
“It seemed like she only said that to impress you. Didn’t you notice how she kept staring at your phone before answering? Like she needed to see the screen to say something?“.
