Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 173

Less than ten minutes later, Celeste emerged with her suitcase and walked out the door without looking back.

Once she was gone, Julian turned his attention back to Seraphina. "Neil has already found a replacement. She'll be here this afternoon."

Seraphina remained seated on the sofa. Tilting her chin up, her swollen, red-rimmed eyes locked onto his. Gathering her courage, she finally asked, "Julian, are you blaming me for this?"

Julian stared down at her. His dark eyes were unreadable. "Seraphina, I know you've been through hell, but Hester made a valid point. Your emotional instability is having a negative impact on Caden."

The remaining color drained from Seraphina's face. Her hands gripped the edge of the sofa so tightly her knuckles turned stark white. "So... you also think I made a mistake coming back to claim Caden?"

"I didn't say that." Julian pressed his lips into a tight line and let out a heavy sigh. "But you have to admit, Caden is much more comfortable living with Hester right now. You're his biological mother, and I'm his uncle. At the end of the day, we both just want him to be happy, don't we?"

Seraphina stared at him, momentarily robbed of words.

Julian checked the expensive watch on his wrist. "I have a board meeting to get to, so I need to leave. Neil will be here shortly. If you need anything at all, just tell him, and he'll handle it."

"Julian!"

Seraphina jumped to her feet, calling out just as he turned toward the door.

He paused, looking back over his shoulder. "Is there something else?"

She looked down, her fingers nervously picking at her nails.

Julian's gaze dropped to her fidgeting hands, and a slight frown creased his forehead. "Relax. I'm not blaming you for what happened today."

"As for Caden, Hester promised she'd slowly help bridge the gap between you two. He's a good kid. You share a bond by blood; it's only a matter of time before he comes around."

Seraphina nodded slowly, taking the tissues and dabbing at her wet cheeks. After a moment, she looked up at him. "When you get home, please explain to Hester that the incident with Celeste really wasn't my doing. And... tell her thank you for me."

"I will," Julian promised.

"Alright, I'm fine now. You need to get to your meeting. Please don't let me hold you up any longer."

"Okay." Julian was indeed running late. Seeing that she had calmed down, he didn't linger. He turned on his heel and strode out the door.

Watching his broad, tailored shoulders disappear through the doorway, Seraphina crushed the damp tissue in her fist. Beneath the sheen of her unshed tears, a dark, bitter resentment flared to life in her eyes.