Chapter 11: He Chased, But She Never Looked Back

Two weeks later, Celeste's schedule became busier than ever.

Rodriguez Group officially launched its international expansion project.

Meetings, interviews, and overseas negotiations filled every hour of her day.

For the first time in years, she lived entirely for herself.

Early that morning, Mia entered her office carrying several documents.

"Ms. Rodriguez, your flight to Paris has been confirmed for tomorrow morning."

"Good."

"Also..."

Mia hesitated.

"Mr. Trevor Fleming has contacted the company again."

Celeste didn't even stop reading the report in front of her.

"Did he make an appointment?"

"No."

"Then decline it."

"Yes, Ms. Rodriguez."

Her voice remained calm.

Trevor's name no longer stirred any emotion inside her.

Meanwhile, Trevor stood outside Rodriguez Group once again.

This time, he had waited nearly four hours.

Employees came and went.

Executives entered the building.

Business partners greeted one another.

But the woman he wanted to see never appeared.

Finally, Mia stepped outside.

"Mr. Fleming."

"Will she see me today?"

"I'm sorry."

"Ms. Rodriguez is preparing for tomorrow's overseas trip."

"She isn't available."

"Just tell her I'll wait."

"Even if it takes all day."

Mia looked at him quietly.

"Mr. Fleming..."

"There was a time when Ms. Rodriguez waited outside your office for nearly six hours just to have dinner with you."

"You never came."

"Today..."

"She's simply doing the same thing you once did."

Trevor stood frozen.

Mia gave a polite nod before returning inside.

Her words echoed painfully in his mind.

He remembered that evening.

Celeste had called him repeatedly.

He ignored every call because he was attending a dinner with business partners.

When he finally returned home...

She had smiled and said she wasn't hungry anymore.

He never asked whether she had eaten.

That night, Trevor quietly left the building.

The following morning, Celeste boarded a private flight to Paris with Adrian and the executive team.

"Ready?" Adrian asked.

"More than ever," Celeste replied with a smile.

The aircraft slowly took off.

As the city disappeared beneath the clouds, Celeste looked out the window peacefully.

Years ago, every business trip ended with her rushing home because Trevor and Jordyn were waiting.

Now...

She finally traveled without worrying about anyone else.

Back in Andostan, Trevor arrived at the airport almost an hour too late.

"Excuse me," he asked the airport staff.

"Has Flight RG701 departed?"

"Yes, sir."

"It left forty minutes ago."

Trevor looked toward the empty runway.

He had missed her again.

Later that afternoon, Arnold invited Trevor to lunch.

"You look exhausted," the old man observed.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Because of Celeste?"

Trevor nodded silently.

"Grandpa..."

"How do I make her forgive me?"

Arnold looked at him for a long moment before answering.

"You don't."

Trevor looked up.

"Forgiveness isn't something you ask for because you suddenly regret your mistakes."

"It's something the other person chooses to give."

"And sometimes..."

"They never do."

Trevor lowered his eyes once more.

Those words hurt.

Because he knew Arnold was right.

Several days later, photos from Paris spread across international business magazines.

One picture immediately caught Trevor's attention.

Celeste stood beside Adrian after signing a major international agreement.

Both of them were smiling.

The headline read:

"Rodriguez Group Leads Asia's Largest European Investment Project."

Below the article, thousands of comments praised Celeste's intelligence and leadership.

"She's incredible."

"A true business genius."

"She deserves every success."

Trevor read every comment.

Not because he was jealous.

But because he finally realized something.

The world was discovering the extraordinary woman he had spent seven years overlooking.

That evening, Jordyn climbed onto Trevor's lap while he was reading the magazine.

"Dad..."

"Hmm?"

"That's Mom, isn't it?"

Trevor nodded.

"Mom looks beautiful."

"She does."

"Do you think she's happier now?"

Trevor remained silent for several seconds.

Finally, he answered honestly.

"Yes."

"Then..."

"Maybe we were the ones making her unhappy."

Those innocent words pierced Trevor's heart.

He hugged his daughter tightly.

Neither of them spoke again.

Because deep inside...

Both father and daughter already knew the answer.