She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

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Saturday night, the Cloud Hotel’s lights lit up the sky over the city. The high-end club, owned by the Luceros, was throwing a 55th birthday bash for Tanner.

The party was on the top floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows all around, giving a killer view of the glittering city down below. The crystal chandeliers made the whole room glow bright like daytime.

By the time Celia showed up, the party was already going strong. She pushed through the big, ornate wooden doors, and the warm light and buzz of the crowd hit her all at once. She covered her mouth and coughed softly.

The changing seasons had given her a brutal cold, leaving her with a low fever that just wouldn’t quit, plus she couldn’t taste or smell a thing.

The waiter asked politely, “Excuse me, miss, can I see your invitation?”

Celia took out the gold-embossed invitation from her bag. She had on an ivory white silk dress and a light gray cashmere shawl, and her long hair was pinned up loosely with a diamond-studded hairpin.

She looked a bi dle from the cold, but her whole vibe was elegant and serene, which totally set her apart from the flashy crowd.

Celia stepped inside and took a quick look around. At the head table, Tanner was laughing and talking cheerfully with his old buddies.

Over in the center of the crowd, Beckham was looking sharp in a fitted dark gray suit, shaking hands and saying hello to everyone. Beside him stood Laylah, graceful in a flowy white dress with Ricardo in her arms.

Celia stopped in her tracks.

“Mrs. Lucero is here?” Someone spotted her and murmured.

“I can’t believe she showed up.”

“I heard Mr. Lucero made Beckham sign the divorce papers, and tonight she will get them.”

“Seriously, isn’t she just making a fool of herself here? Laylah even brought her kid along.”

Celia ignored the gossip and glided toward the head table. Brogan, the butler, was over there, busy arranging all the gifts from the guests.

“Brogan,” Celia called softly.

Brogan turned around, and his face lit up with a warm smile. “Mrs. Lucero, nice to see you. How are you feeling? Mr. Tanner Lucero was just asking about you a minute ago.”

“Much better, thanks,” Celia said, pulling a small velvet box out of her bag. “This is for Tanner, his birthday gift. Would you mind passing it along for me?”

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Chapter 31

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Brogan opened the box. Inside was a pair of sterling silver cufflinks, smooth and cool to the touch, with a brilliant sparkle. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the lines flowed beautifully.

Brogan’s eyes lit up. “Are they Trenton Fuentes’ work?”

Celia nodded. “You have a sharp eye.”

“Mr. Tanner Lucero’s gonna love them,” Brogan said, taking the box carefully. “You really went all out on this.”

Just then, a sharp voice cut in. “Well, well, what do we have here? Let me take a look.”

Somehow, Emily had made her way over. She was decked out in a deep purple embroidered dress, with a full set of emeralds around her neck. The look she gave Celia was pure annoyance.

She shot a look at the cufflinks in the box and curled her lip. “That’s it? Celia, you really brought them to a night like tonight?”

Laylah came over with Ricardo in her arms, her voice all soft and sweet. “Emily, come on. I’m sure Ms. Ross picked them out really carefully. But…” She hesitated, looking a bit troubled. “With so many VIPS around, aren’t cufflinks just a little underwhelming?”

Laylah’s words can

out sweet and soft, but every single one was like a tiny dagger, all aimed straight at Celia.

People nearby began to sneak glances their way, and a wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. “Trenton is a master when it comes to cufflinks. His pieces are priceless.”

“Celia really put some thought into this gift.”

“But Emily does have a point. Cufflinks are a little underwhelming for a birthday this big.”

Celia didn’t even flinch. “It’s the thought that counts. Tanner’s all about the little details, so these cufflinks should be perfect for him.”

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“Thought?” Emily sneered. “Do you think the Luceros need your thoughtfulne Celia, honestly, three years here, all you’ve done is tend to some plants. Now you bring some worthless cufflinks and call them a gift?”

Her words cut so deep that the whole room went dead silent.

Beckham walked over just then. He saw Celia’s pale face and frowned. But when he thought about those divorce papers Tanner made him sign, his anger came flooding back.

“That’s enough, Mom,” he cut in, his tone impatient. “She’s already given the gift. Just leave her alone.”

He sounded like he was playing peacemaker, but his words were cold. He didn’t even ask if Celia was sick.

Ricardo squirmed restlessly in Laylah’s arms, then suddenly stretched out his tiny hand toward Beckham “Daddy, hold me.”

His voice rang out, loud and clear. The whole hall went silent.

Beckham froze. His gaze instinctively flicked to Celia. But Celia just stood there, quiet and unmoving, as if

19:28 Mon, May 11

Chapter 31

Ricardo’s voice hadn’t touched her at all,

Laylah quickly hushed Ricardo. “Honey, be good. Daddy’s busy right now.”

“I want Daddy to hold me,” Ricardo begged. His eyes were all teary, fixed on Beckham.

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Under the gaze of the whole room. Beckham finally gave in and took Ricardo into his arms. Ricardo instantly wrapped himself around Beckham’s neck and nestled quietly against his shoulder.

Everyone in the room saw it. The message was crystal clear.

Celia watched in strange calmness. She noticed that Ricardo had Beckham’s look but favored Laylah more.

Then she remembered her wedding day, Beckham standing at the church door, holding his cousin’s kid, saying coldly, “Celia, you don’t belong in this world. To me, this marriage is nothing but a shackle.”

At that time, she just stood there. Then she lowered her head and murmured softly, almost to herself, “I know.”

Looking back, she’d known it all along that her marriage was doomed from day one.

“Celia,” Aiyana slip through the crowd, her red dress lighting up the room. She held two glasses of champagne, a bright, innocent smile on her face.

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