She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Night Talks in the Old House

It was late at night on the south side of the city. The old house was quiet and still.

Celia sat by the fireplace where her grandmother’s photo sat. She lit a candle and said a quiet prayer. The flame danced in the dim light.

“Grandma,” she said softly. “I’m leaving for Brighton.”

The photo on the fireplace showed her grandmother in a simple dress. Her hair was pinned up neatly, and her smile was warm and kind.

It was taken on her sixtieth birthday. Her eyes were clear, and the corners of her mouth turned up gently.

“You always said a woman should be like an iris,” Celia said, staring at the photo. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Delicate on the outside, but strong at the roots. I held onto those words for three years. Now it’s time to go.”

Wind outside blew through the old oak tree, and the leaves rustled.

Celia set down the candle, stood up, and walked to the yard.

Moonlight covered the stone path. Irises in the corner were blooming, their blue petals glowing in the dark.

Her phone buzzed inside the house.

Celia went back and checked the screen. Seamus was calling.

She answered it. “Grandpa.”

“Cece.” Seamus’s voice came through, tired and worn. “I saw the news.”

Celia fell silent for a few seconds. “Don’t worry. I’m okay.”

“How can I not worry?” Seamus sighed. “Beckham is totally out of line. Cece, tell me the truth. What are you thinking?”

Celia held the phone and walked back to the yard. The night air brushed her face, cool and fresh with early summer.

“Grandpa,” she said. “I want a divorce.”

The line went quiet for a long time.

Then Seamus spoke, “Do it.”

His voice was soft but firm.

“Grandpa…”

“Three years is enough,” he said, still tired. “I failed you back then. I pushed you into that marriage. Now it’s time to set you free.”

Celia’s nose stung. “Grandpa, don’t say that. I agreed to it back then.”

“No.” Seamus let out a bitter laugh. “Cece, I know you. You’re loyal to this family. The Ross family was falling apart. You agreed to the marriage to save us. I know everything.”

Celia closed her eyes and thought back to that phone call three years ago.

She was overseas handling business when her phone buzzed. Seamus was calling from across the ocean.

“Cece.” His voice was exhausted. “Can you come home for a bit?”

“Grandpa, what’s wrong?” she asked.

“The Ross Group,” he paused, “it’s failing. Banks are calling in loans, and shareholders want out. Cece, I have no options left.”

She remembered standing by the window, staring out at an unfamiliar city.

“Grandpa, how much do you need? I can…”

“It’s not about money,” Seamus cut her off. “It’s the Lucero family. They’re willing to help, but only under one term, a marriage alliance.”

A marriage alliance. Those words hit like a heavy blow.

“They want you.” Seamus’s voice cracked. “Cece, I know this isn’t fair, but the Ross Group has been around for generations. I can’t let it end because of me.”

“Grandpa, I…”

“Do you remember Beckham?” Seamus spoke fast, desperate. “You played together as kids. He was good to you back then. You played house, and he always said Cece would be my bride someday.”

She remembered.

Celia thought, ‘How can I forget? I was seven or eight, and Beckham was two years older, a proud boy. He always looked out for me, sharing half his good food and fun toys.

‘But that was so long ago. I went overseas later, and more than ten years have passed. Who knows what he’s thinking now?’

“Cece.” Seamus’s voice pulled her back. “If you say no, I won’t push you. But I don’t have many years left, and I refuse to spend my final days weighed down by regret over our family’s name.”

She stood in a far-off room, the phone held tight in her hand.

Images flashed through her mind. Her grandmother touched her head, saying, “Cece, live for yourself.”

And the numbers in her Aegis Bank account were enough to save the Ross Group many times over.

But…

“Grandpa,” she finally said. “I’ll do it.”

On the other end, Seamus cried. “Cece, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

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