School is on recess, and I finally have time to breathe. Time to live a little.
That's why I'm here, sitting on a bench at the amusement park, watching Ray drive around in a miniature car, his laughter ringing in the air. He looks so carefree, so happy. This is what matters. Family. Peace.
I sigh, leaning back against the bench, enjoying the moment. Then..
A figure suddenly blocks my view.
"Hello, Princess."
I blink, looking up. The woman standing before me smiles like she knows me. It takes a second for recognition to hit.
"Nancy?" My voice almost squeaks.
She laughs. "Wow, you look different too."
I stare at her. She does look different; radiant, confident, completely unbothered. A far cry from the last time I saw her, when Liliana had torn her apart with those razor-sharp nails.
"What are you doing here?" Nancy asks, eyes scanning the area. "Are you here with your husband?"
Her tone is casual, but she's clearly looking around, like she expects Cassian to step out of nowhere in his usual detached arrogance. She must think this place is beneath royalty.
I smile, but there's no humor in it. "No, I'm not here with him. There's no him anymore." I pause, then add firmly, "I don't live in the palace anymore. And don't call me Princess again. I'm just Celeste."
Nancy's eyes widen slightly. Her face flickers from surprise to curiosity, and then… something else. She hesitates, like she wants to dig for details but stops herself.
"Oh, I see," she says instead, nodding. "Well, it's good to see you again."
I expect some smug remark, maybe even pity, but she just smiles genuinely.
"Thank you for your help the other time," she adds. "You're a nice person, Celeste. Take care."
And just like that, she turns and walks away, her strides graceful, her head high.
I watch her, still slightly stunned. There's something about her… something different. She's no longer the desperate, love-struck girl fighting for Cassian's attention.
And for some reason, that unsettles me.
Ray and I step into the house, laughter still lingering from our fun day. Then I freeze.
Cassian is sitting right there in the living room, legs crossed like he owns the place. A bouquet of flowers rests beside him.
I slow my steps, my stomach twisting. What is he doing here?
Ray, completely unaware of the tension crackling in the air, approaches him carefully.
"Good evening, sir!" he greets, his voice polite and respectful.
Cassian's sharp eyes narrow slightly, studying him with interest.
"How are you, buddy?" His tone is neutral, but there's something else, something I can't place.
"I'm good, sir." Ray, ever the fearless child, slides onto the couch beside him like they're old pals.
I cross my arms, keeping my voice cold. "What are you doing here, Cassian?"
He doesn't answer immediately. Instead, he picks up the bouquet and holds it out to me. His expression is unreadable.
I don't move. I just stare at him. What is this? A peace offering? A joke?
"Take it, Mummy! It's beautiful," Ray pipes up, his face lighting up with excitement.
I shift my gaze to him. His grin is wide, genuine, filled with innocence that softens me, even against my will.
Cassian looks momentarily stunned at Ray's words. Like he didn't expect the boy to care.
I sigh, exhaling my frustration. Then, slowly, I reach out, taking the bouquet from Cassian's hand.
"Thank you," I say, my voice clipped, controlled.
Cassian's lips twitch - not quite a smile, but almost.
Before I can say anything else, my mother walks in. She takes one look at the situation, her eyes flashing with something far too knowing.
"I'll take Ray," she says smoothly, already steering him away. "Go wash up, sweetheart."
Ray follows without argument, leaving me standing alone with Cassian.
I sit. The silence stretches. Thick. Unbearable.
I finally exhale. "Alright, Cassian. Start talking."
Cassian leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his sharp gaze locked onto mine.
"I didn't know you had a child, Celeste," he says, his voice carrying both curiosity and something dangerously close to accusation. "He called you Mummy."
I tilt my head, scoffing. "What do you even know about me besides my name?"
His jaw tightens, but he doesn't fire back. Instead, his gaze flickers toward the hallway where Ray disappeared.
"He's a smart lad," he murmurs. "How old is he?"
I hesitate for a moment before answering. "He'll be eight next week."
Cassian nods slowly, processing that information. Then he looks at me again, this time his voice softer, almost hesitant.
"His father?"
The question hits me harder than I expect. I blink, thrown off guard. No one has ever asked me that before.
"He… he disappeared," I say finally, my voice faltering. It's the best way to explain something I barely understand myself.
For a moment, something shifts in Cassian's face. A flicker of realization. Understanding. Like he knows exactly what it feels like to be abandoned.
"I'm sorry," he mutters, his voice gruff.
I swallow hard and look away. "It's in the past," I say, brushing it off.
A long silence follows. Tense. Unspoken words hanging between us.
Then, Cassian exhales, leaning back. His gaze never leaves mine.
"You're right," he admits. "There's so much I don't know about you. We didn't start right. But I want to know now." His voice lowers deliberately. "I want a chance to get to know you better, Celeste."
I shake my head, laughing bitterly. "I don't trust you, Cassian."
His expression flickers with something raw, but he doesn't let me continue.
"I just want to tell you that I'm sorry," he says, cutting me off. "For everything that happened. I take responsibility." He swallows, his voice thick with something real. "Give me a chance... please."
He's looking at me with pain and regret.
For the first time, I see genuine vulnerability in his eyes.
And I don't know what to say.
Cassian leaves, and I shut the door, exhaling heavily. The scent of the flowers he gave me still lingers in the air, and I resist the urge to throw them away. I turn around, only to find my mother leaning against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, watching me like a hawk.
"That was unexpected," she says, her voice light but her eyes sharp.
I scoff, walking past her to the kitchen. "Not really. He's persistent. Too bad persistence doesn't equal change." I grab a glass and pour myself some water, drinking it quickly as if it'll wash away the encounter.
Mother follows me in, unfazed. "Celeste, you need to stop being so hard-headed. The man came all the way here, sat in our living room, and apologized. That has to mean something."
I set the glass down with more force than necessary. "Oh, it means something alright. It means he's either feeling guilty or his mother finally let him off her leash long enough to chase after me."
She sighs, shaking her head. "You're unfair to him. You don't know what's going on in his heart."
I let out a bitter laugh. "His heart? Mother, this is the same man who barely looked at me when we were married. The same man who had women coming and going like they were part of the palace décor. And now he suddenly has a heart?" I shake my head. "No. Cassian is not just a chronic player. he's a mummy's boy. He doesn't even have a mind of his own!"
Mother purses her lips. "That's harsh, Celeste."
"It's the truth!" I snap. "The Queen dictated his life, chose his bride, made every decision for him, and he followed like a lost puppy. Do you really think a man like that is capable of standing up for me? Of protecting me?"
She watches me carefully, then sighs. "People can change."
I scoff. "People can change, but it doesn't mean they do. And I am not about to set myself up for another heartbreak, hoping Cassian will magically grow a spine."
Mother is quiet for a long moment before speaking again. "Then watch him."
I blink. "What?"
She steps closer, lowering her voice. "You don't have to take him back. You don't have to forgive him today or even next week. But if you're so sure he's spineless, then watch him. See what he does. If he's truly a lost cause, you'll know soon enough. And if he surprises you… well, you'll have to deal with that too."
I stare at her, torn between frustration and reluctant agreement. Finally, I sigh, rubbing my temple. "Fine. I'll watch him."
Mother smiles, patting my shoulder. "That's all I ask."
I huff. "He won't last."
She just hums, walking away. "We'll see."
And that's what worries me. Because deep down, I think she might be right.