She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

5 yout hers

The next morning at 8:50 AM, Celia stood on the stone steps outside the courthouse. The autumn morning breeze carried a chill, swirling fallen leaves around her feet.

She wore a long cream-colored trench coat today over a light gray knit dress, her long hair loose on her shoulders. No makeup, just a touch of lip balm. She looked clean and fresh, like a white lily in the morning dew.

At 9:00 AM sharp, Beckham didn’t show up.

Celia glanced at her watch and didn’t move. She knew Beckham was always punctual to a fault and that ten minutes late would be his limit.

At 9:15 AM, the crowd coming and going from the courthouse had turned over completely, but there was still no sign of him.

Celia took out her phone and dialed the number she had saved for three years. The ringing went on for a few seconds, then the call was mechanically rejected.

She tried again. This time, a cold female voice came on, “The number you have dialed is not available.”

She slipped the phone back into her pocket, hands still tucked in, and waited another ten minutes.

At 9:25 AM, Celia looked toward the intersection one last time, but the black Bentley was not coming. She turned and walked away, her face showing no disappointment. She looked as calm as if she had expected this all along.

She flagged down a taxi. “Lucero Group headquarters.”

At 10:10 AM, at Lucero Group headquarters, the revolving doors turned slowly, and Celia stepped into the lobby.

The marble space had a thirty-foot ceiling. A massive crystal chandelier refracted cold white light overhead. At the front desk, three receptionists in navy blue skirt suits were busy at work.

When they saw Celia walk in, the receptionist on the phone visibly paused, surprise flickering across her face. She said a few quick words, hung up, and exchanged a look with the woman next to her.

“Mrs. Lucero?” The slightly older receptionist had already stood up, her voice layered with obvious respect and a hint of awkwardness. “What… what brings you here?”

The entire lobby went still for a moment. Over in the waiting area, a few visitors looked up, their eyes drifting toward her.

Celia caught the complexity behind that “Mrs. Lucero.” Three years of marriage, and she had never set foot in Beckham’s company, yet everyone knew who she was.

“Especially with all the gossip flooding the tabloids lately, the name “Celia Ross” and the face that came with it were no longer strangers in this building.

12:57 Sat, May 9 MMO

Chapter 20

“I’m here to see Beckham.” Her voice was calm, giving nothing away.

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“Mr. Lucero is on the top floor. Would you like me to take you up?” The receptionist hurried out from behind the counter.

“No need. I’ll go up myself,” Celia walked toward the executive elevator and pressed the button. Just as the doors slid shut, she heard hushed voices from behind her.

“That’s really her. She looks better than the photos.”

“Is she here for the divorce? Why else would she come to the office?”

“Who knows. But she looks so calm.”

“Well, what else is she supposed to do? After everything they’ve done to her.”

The elevator rose at a steady speed. The mirrored walls reflected her cool, aloof face. Celia looked at herself in the glass, remembering the wedding day three years ago. Beckham had slipped the ring onto her finger in front of everyone, his fingertips cold.

Back then, she had thought she would at least get basic respect. Looking back now, that had been naive.

The elevator chimed at the top floor, and as the doors opened, the low murmur of the executive office staff came to an abrupt halt.

Six or seven desks filled the space. Secretaries and assistants looked up in unison, their eyes locking onto Celia like spotlights. Someone dropped a folder, and the soft thud echoed in the sudden silence.

Celia ignored all of it. She walked straight toward the heavy wooden door to the CEO’s office at the end of the hallway.

It was slightly ajar. Through the gap came the sound of a child’s giggle and a woman’s soft voice.

Celia’s hand paused on the handle for half a second. Then she pushed the door open.

Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the office with warm, bright light. The scene in front of her stopped her in the doorway.

Laylah sat on the carpet, her light pink dress spread out like flower petals. Ricardo lay by her leg, clutching a shiny alloy toy car, his face bright with laughter.

On the coffee table sat a plate of cookies and a small cup of juice. Sunlight glinted off the rim of the glass. The air smelled sweet, like cookies and perfume.

This office, which she had visited only a handful of times, always cold and severe, now looked like a cozy little home.

Laylah looked up. When she saw Celia, a flash of surprise crossed her face, so brief it was almost invisible. Then it was replaced by a warm, gentle smile. “Ms. Ross? What brings you here?”

She stood up gracefully, smoothed her skirt, then bent down to pick up Ricardo. “Sweetheart, look who’s here.”

Ricardo stared at the doorway with wide, curious eyes. When he saw the unfamiliar face, his little mouth

12:57 Sat, May 9 MMD

Chapter 20

puckered, and he buried his head in Laylah’s shoulder.

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Celia stood in the doorway, her gaze calmly sweeping across the room before pausing on the juice cup. knowing Beckham had severe germ issues and never allowed anyone to eat or drink in his office, only plain water.

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