Chapter 13
They hiked upstate, visited the observatory to watch the meteor showers, walked along the Rockaway Beach shoreline at sunset
Back home, Lysander stared at the chat with Navier, which still showed bin messages undelivered, and fell into deep sence.
With Ophelia back at his side, he shumbdn’t be thinking about Navier anymore. He was supposed to feel relieved,
So why did everything feel so strange? Why did her face keep appearing in his thoughts?
At diner, he would teach to make a comment–only to realize
that Celeste’s across the table.
At night, with the rich scent of lilies filling his nostrils, he would pull Celeste close reflexively, pet find himself lying awake til the early hours
Chapter 13
Navier he’d barely noticed before now haunted his thoughts with alarming frequency, forming habits he hadn’t realized he’d developed
She’d infiltrated his life like invisible nir, seeping indoor
The realization rate him.
every crack and crevice, Without her, everything felt off.
“I’m probably just concerned about her safety,” he rationalized. “We grew up together, after all. Of course. Ed wonder where she went. That’s all
After wrestling with his conflicted thoughts, he finally called for his secretary.
“Nick, find out where Navier is, She’d better not have gotten herself killed in some impulsive adventure. Her parents would hold me responsible since I’m supposed to look after her, and Til have nothing to tell them.”
Nick nodded repeatedly to mask his surprise.
“Tll get right on it, sir.”
Lysander massaged his temples and forced himself to concentrate on work.
Lunchtime came and went. Even as hunger gnawed at his stomach, he didn’t stop, maintaining his stoic expression as he plowed through documents.
Not until it became too much to push aside did he finally shift his attention, reaching for the drawer where he kept his medication.
But his fingers brushed against nothing.
Nick-
Lysander’s brow furrowed, ready to summon his secretary for a reprimand, when realization struck him. These medications had always been Navier’s doing.
Worried about his health, she’d meticulously stocked various medicines he might need, placing them within easy reach
But since that day when she’d accidentally broken the picture frame and he’d banished her from his office, she’d never returned. There would be no more restocked medicines.
Staring at the empty drawer, Lysander momentarily lost his focis
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts Celeste entered carrying a nearly packed meal.
“Have some lunch, Lysander. Your stomach will act up if you don’t. LOOK! I made this myself–try it and tell me how it tastes.”
Suppressing his discomfort, Lysander forced a smile and guided Celeste to a seat.
“So sweet. You made it yourself! That’s must delicious. I can’t wait to taste your cooking.”
“But seriously, let the staff handle this next time. Those beautiful hands shouldn’t be doing housework. Just swing by with takeout and keep me company–that’s all I need.”
Celeste smiled faintly and nodded. “Alright. But only if you promise don’t overwork yourself either–I worry about you.”
“As if she thought silently. “He’d better drop dead at his desk”
This one meal was obligation enough. She had no intention of subjecting herself to domestic drudgery.
But oblivious to her true thoughts. Lysander assumed her concern was genuine.
“Til fusish up this afternoon’s work soon. How about we take a walk later? Anywhere you want to go?”
“I want to see our university campus. When I was sick, I never got to attend classes with you or watch you graduate. What a pity.”
Celeste lowered her eyes in practiced regret.
Chapter 13
Lysander hugged her consolingly. “Then we’ll go today. I’m sure they still have my photos on display. We can even huy caps and gowns, take sna pictures together–make up for lost time.”
“Perfect. Up to you, Celeste replied with a gentle smile, her performance flawless down to the smallest detail,
