He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 79

Mia shot Celeste a triumphant sneer. “See? The person Desmond loves most is Stella. You really think throwing yourself at him is going to make him love you?

Dream on!”

‘Just wait until you get kicked to the curb!”

The onlookers whispered among themselves, their gazes a mix of pity, sympathy, schadenfreude, and contempt.

Celeste stood motionless, her nails digging into her palms. Her heart felt like it was being bludgeoned, leaving it a raw, bloody mess inside her chest.

Before, whenever Mia gave her a hard time about her scars, Desmond would always step in to defend her, scolding his sister and even cutting off her credit cards.

But today, when Mia had ripped off her scar cover for everyone to see and gawk at, he hadn’t even spared her a single glance.

He had just carried Stella away.

An endless wave of grief washed over her. She just stood there, enduring wave after wave of heartache until she finally went numb.

The party broke up on a sour note. Soon, Celeste was the only person left in the vast ballroom.

It was midnight by the time she finally left. Just as she stepped out of the ballroom, a group of thugs blocked her path.

Without a word, they grabbed her. One of them started slapping her across the face, taunting her as he did.

You think someone like you can compete with Stella for a man? That scar of yours isn’t nearly big enough. We ought to mess up that pretty face of yours, too. Then you won’t be so quick to seduce men.”

‘Bitch! You really think you’re gonna be Mrs. Hart? Get a clue! You’re just a desperate gold digger! Make way for Stella, you shameless homewrecker!”

Her arms were pinned so she couldn’t struggle, and they even slapped a hand over her mouth.

They must have slapped her ninety–nine times before they finally stopped. As they left, they warned her to stay the hell away from Desmond Hart.

Celeste collapsed to the ground, her face red and swollen. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, staining the front of her gown.

She lay on the cold pavement for a long time before she finally found the strength to call the police.

Injury assessment, police report, medical treatment.

By the time she could finally rest, dawn was breaking.

She drifted into an exhausted sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, it was the next morning.

She didn’t know when he’d arrived, but Desmond was sitting by her hospital bed, his expression dark and his eyes unreadable.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” He took her hand and brought it to his lips, stroking it gently with his thumb

“Mia was completely out of line this time. I’ve sent her to do an internship in Africa.” Desmond’s voice was hoarse. “I’ve been too lentent with her. Until she learns to change her ways, she’s not coming back.”

The muscles in Celeste’s swollen cheek protested as she spoke. “And what about Stella?”

“Stella? What does she have to do with any of this?” Desmond froze.

Chapter 3

A chill ran through Celeste’s heart. She pulled out her phone and played the recording of what the thugs had said while they were beating her.

Every single word they’d said was in defense of Stella.

Mia might have hired the guys who beat her up, but Stella had to have been the one pulling the strings.

Mia didn’t have the guts to do something like this on her own.

Desmond reached out and stopped the recording, sitting up straighter. An air of authority suddenly radiated from him.

Celeste, I always thought you were the most understanding person, that you understood how I feel about you,” he said, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

He paused, then continued. “You are the only person who can be Mrs. Hart. I will never forget what you’ve done for me these past five years.”

I only think of Stella as a friend. You don’t need to hold our past against her. She’s not as manipulative as you think she is, and she would never use Mia to

urt you.”

This is between you and Mia. Don’t drag innocent people into it. As for the police, I’ve already had them drop the case for you.”

sharp pain lanced through Celeste’s heart. She stared at the man before her in utter disbelief.

le thought she was just jealous, that she was deliberately trying to cause trouble for Stella. He was actually disappointed in her.

Celeste could almost hear the sound of her own heart shattering. She lowered her gaze, hiding the tears that were welling in her eyes.

And what if I insist that Stella be held responsible?” Celeste asked stubbornly.

Desmond let go of her hand and frowned, his eyes flashing with surprise. “Stella is no threat to you. We broke off our engagement five years ago. Are you really oing to give her a hard time just because of our past?”

I promised her I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her.” He said, his tone turning cold.

he hospital room fell silent for a moment.

eleste turned her head away. He had once made that same promise to her.

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