The days that followed were a blur of strained interactions and silent meals. Rhys kept himself busy with work, avoiding Celestine whenever possible. He couldn't bring himself to forgive her, to trust her.
One evening, as Rhys worked late in his study, Bane walked in, his expression stern. "You can't keep doing this, Rhys."
"Doing what?" Rhys asked, not looking up from his laptop.
"Treating Celestine like she's the enemy. She's your wife now."
Rhys clenched his jaw. "She lied to me, Bane. How can I trust her?"
Bane sighed, taking a seat. "I understand you're hurt, but this isn't just about you. It's about your grandfather's legacy. You need to make this work."
Rhys looked up, his eyes cold. "And how do you suggest I do that?"
"Start by talking to her. Listen to her side of the story."
Rhys leaned back in his chair, feeling a pang of frustration. "You make it sound so simple."
"It's not," Bane admitted. "But it's necessary. You can't keep punishing her for something she didn't even intend to do."
Rhys stared at his friend, the weight of his words sinking in. He knew Bane was right, but the anger and betrayal were hard to let go of.
"I'll try," he said finally. "But I can't promise anything."
"That's all I ask," Bane replied. "Just give her a
chance."
Later that afternoon, she decided to take a walk in the garden. The fresh air and the beauty of the meticulously maintained grounds offered a brief respite from her worries. She found herself drawn to a secluded bench, where she sat and allowed herself to relax.
It was there that Rhys found her, his expression unreadable. "Celestine," he began, his voice softer than before.
She looked up at him, hope sparking in her eyes. "Yes?"
"I don't know if it's possible, but I'm willing to try," he admitted. "For both our sakes."
Celestine smiled, standing up to face him. "Thank you, Rhys. That's all I ask. We can take it one day at a time."
Rhys nodded, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "One day at a time."
They had a long way to go, but for the first time, there was a glimmer of hope that they might find a way to navigate this together
That night, Celestine retired to her guest room, but she felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt since the wedding. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as they faced them together.
The next morning, Rhys left early for the office. Celestine decided to keep herself busy by exploring the villa further. She stumbled upon a small music room, complete with a grand piano. Intrigued, she sat down and began to play, the music flowing through her fingers like a long-lost friend.
Rhys returned home earlier than expected, drawn by the sound of the piano. He stood in the doorway, watching Celestine play, the music evoking memories of a simpler time. When she finished, she looked up and saw him standing there.
"I didn't know you played," he said quietly.
"It's been a while," she admitted, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "I find it calming."
Rhys nodded, his expression thoughtful. "You're very talented."
"Thank you," Celestine replied, feeling a warmth in his words.
They shared a moment of silence, the tension between them easing just a little. It was a small step, but it was a step in the right direction.
Over the next few weeks, they slowly began to build a tentative friendship. They spent more time together, learning about each other's interests and backgrounds. It was awkward and strained at times, but there were moments of genuine connection that gave Celestine hope.
One evening, after a particularly long day at the office, Rhys came home and couldn't find Celestine.
He asked the butler, "Sir madam had gone out with a friend , and she called not quite long to ask if you were back and stated she would be home soon."
"Okay thank , will call her to find out where she is"he walked to his room and picked up his phone and dialed Celestine's number.
. As the phone rang, he found himself pacing the room, a strange mix of worry and irritation gnawing at him.
"Hello?" Celestine's voice came through, breathless but cheerful.
"Celestine, where are you?" Rhys asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
"I went out with a friend," she replied. "I wanted to explore the city a bit. I hope you don't mind, I took one of your cars."
Rhys frowned, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "You should have told me. I was worried when I couldn't find you."
"I'm sorry, Rhys," Celestine said sincerely. "I didn't mean to worry you. I'm on my way back now. I'll be home soon."
Before Rhys could respond, he heard a loud bang through the phone, followed by the screech of tires and the sound of breaking glass. "Celestine!" he shouted, panic rising in his chest. "Celestine, are you there?"
The line went dead, leaving Rhys standing there, his heart pounding. He stared at his phone, willing it to ring again, to hear her voice and know she was okay. But the silence was deafening.
Just as he bolted out of the room,he saw Bane coming up the stairs. "Bane, call the police and find out if there's been an accident. Now!"
Bane, seeing the alarm in Rhys's eyes, didn't ask questions. He quickly made the calls as Rhys tried to steady his breathing, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited for news. Rhys's thoughts were a chaotic mix of anger and fear. He couldn't lose her, not now, not after he had begun to admit his feelings for her.
Finally, Bane approached, his expression grim. "There's been an accident reported near the city center. It matches the description of one of your cars."
Rhys felt his blood run cold. Without another word, he grabbed his keys and ran out the door, driving faster than he ever had before, his heart pounding with every passing second. He needed to find her, to make sure she was okay.
The city center came into view, flashing lights and a crowd gathered around a scene that made Rhys's stomach turn. He parked haphazardly and rushed towards the commotion, pushing through the crowd.
"Celestine!" he called out, his voice hoarse with fear.
He spotted the crumpled remains of his car, emergency responders working frantically. His heart stopped when he saw a stretcher being wheeled away, a figure lying motionless under a blanket.
"Please, let her be okay," Rhys whispered, his eyes locked on the stretcher as it was loaded into an ambulance. He fought through the crowd, desperate to get closer, to see her, to know.
As the ambulance doors closed, Rhys felt a hand on his shoulder. "Sir, you need to step back," a paramedic said firmly. "We'll take her to the hospital. She needs immediate medical attention."
Rhys nodded numbly, watching as the ambulance sped away. He turned back to his car, his mind a blur of fear and guilt. The night had taken a terrifying turn, and all he could do was follow, hoping and praying that Celestine would be alright.
As Rhys drove towards the hospital, his mind raced with what-ifs and regrets. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed her.
The hospital came into view, and Rhys parked hurriedly, running inside. He approached the front desk, his voice urgent. "My wife was just brought in from an accident. Celestine Alastair. Where is she?"
The nurse at the desk looked up, her expression sympathetic. "She's in the emergency room. Please, have a seat. A doctor will be with you shortly."
Rhys paced the waiting area, his mind a storm of emotions. He couldn't lose her, not now. Not when they had just begun to find their way to each other.
The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. Finally, a doctor approached, his expression serious. "Mr. Alastair?, it's nice to finally meet you, we really appreciate your donation to our hospital…"
"Doctor, I'm not here for any of that , how is my wife , the patient that was involved in an accident??"Rhys asked, his heart in his throat.
"Oh I'm so sorry I didn't know she was your wife , she is stable, but she's sustained some injuries. We're doing everything we can, and she is actually conscious and asking for you."
Relief flooded through Rhys, and he followed the doctor to Celestine's room. As he entered, he saw her lying on the bed, looking pale and bruised but alive.
"Rhys," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
He rushed to her side, taking her hand in his. "I'm here, Celestine. I'm here."
As they looked at each other, the reality of their situation hit Rhys hard. He had almost lost her, and it had taken this terrifying event to make him realize just how much she meant to him.
"Celestine, I'm
so sorry," he said, his voice breaking.
She squeezed his hand weakly, a small smile on her lips. "It's okay, Rhys".