The Boy She Tried to Throw Out

Chapter 04 - Celeste’s Perfect Night

Celeste had planned the gala for seven months.

Every candle, every guest list, every camera angle, every rumor about an engagement had passed through her hands. She had selected the red gown because it made her look powerful beside Julian’s black tuxedo. She had arranged for the foundation announcement to happen before dessert, when donors were warm with wine and generosity.

She had also removed two names from the security list that morning.

Marissa Lane.

Theodore Lane.

Seeing them inside the ballroom meant someone had overruled her.

Celeste’s panic wore the mask of outrage.

“This is a manipulation,” she told Julian. “You cannot seriously believe a woman who appears after eight years with a child.”

Julian rose slowly.

He did not raise his voice. Celeste preferred when men shouted. Shouting could be described as stress. Calm questions were harder to escape.

“Why do you know how long it has been?”

Celeste froze.

Marissa noticed.

Julian did too.

Celeste recovered quickly. “You told me about her.”

“I told you she left before I knew whether the child survived.”

“She is exploiting that grief.”

Theo pressed closer to Marissa.

Julian looked down at him.

The resemblance was not proof, but it was cruelty. The same left eyebrow. The same crease between his eyes when confused. Even the way Theo held his breath before speaking reminded Julian of childhood films of himself.

A hotel security supervisor approached the circle.

“Sir, should we remove them?”

Celeste answered first. “Yes.”

Julian turned so sharply the supervisor stopped.

“No one touches them.”

Celeste’s voice softened. “Julian, please. Everyone is watching.”

He looked around at the guests.

“Then let them watch.”

He offered Marissa his hand.

She did not take it.

Instead, she stood on her own and helped Theo up. Her refusal struck Julian as fair.

From the grand staircase, an older man in a gray tuxedo began descending.