Chapter 7: She Was Never Waiting Again

The following morning, Trevor arrived at Rodriguez Group before business hours.

Unlike the previous day, he wasn't waiting outside.

This time, he intended to speak with Celeste no matter what.

He walked into the lobby carrying a small white gift box.

Inside was a diamond bracelet.

It wasn't for any anniversary.

It wasn't for a celebration.

It was simply the first gift he had ever bought specifically for Celeste.

Ironically, it came seven years too late.

"Good morning, Mr. Fleming," the receptionist greeted politely.

"I'd like to see Celeste."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

The receptionist apologized again.

"Ms. Rodriguez's schedule is fully booked today."

"Tell her it's important."

She made the call upstairs.

A few moments later, she looked up apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fleming. Ms. Rodriguez said all business matters should go through her assistant."

"This isn't business."

"She also said... personal matters are no exception."

Trevor's expression stiffened.

He slowly tightened his grip around the gift box.

For years, Celeste had waited hours just to have dinner with him.

Now...

She wouldn't even spare him five minutes.

Upstairs, Mia carefully placed another file on Celeste's desk.

"Mr. Fleming is downstairs again."

Celeste didn't even lift her head.

"I know."

"He brought you something."

"Return it."

"Are you sure?"

"Very."

Mia quietly nodded.

She had worked beside Celeste for years.

She knew this calmness wasn't cruelty.

It was closure.

A few minutes later, Mia personally came downstairs.

"Mr. Fleming."

"Where's Celeste?"

"Ms. Rodriguez is busy."

Trevor handed her the gift.

"Please give this to her."

Mia looked at the elegant jewelry box before gently pushing it back.

"I'm sorry. Ms. Rodriguez asked me to return anything personal."

"She wouldn't even accept a gift?"

"No."

Trevor stared at the unopened box.

Suddenly, he remembered something.

During the first year of their marriage...

Celeste had knitted him a scarf herself.

He had glanced at it once before leaving it inside a closet.

Years later, she stopped giving him handmade gifts.

Eventually...

She stopped giving him gifts altogether.

Now he finally understood why.

That afternoon, Celeste and Adrian attended the signing ceremony for their European partnership.

The media filled the conference hall.

Camera flashes illuminated the stage.

"Ms. Rodriguez, congratulations on your return to the business world."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Hayes, many people believe this partnership will become the largest international investment this year."

Adrian smiled.

"Working with Ms. Rodriguez has exceeded every expectation."

The reporters applauded.

Trevor watched the live broadcast from his hotel room.

His gaze remained fixed on Celeste.

She looked confident standing beneath the bright lights.

Her smile reached her eyes.

He couldn't remember the last time she had smiled like that beside him.

Back in Andostan, Jordyn returned home carrying another school assignment.

"Family Tree Project."

Every student had been asked to paste family photographs onto a poster.

Jordyn searched through the family albums.

One photograph after another appeared.

There was Mom smiling beside Dad.

Mom helping her bake cookies.

Mom holding her when she was sick.

Mom cheering during her first piano recital.

Jordyn slowly realized something.

In every important childhood memory...

Her mother had always been there.

She suddenly remembered saying...

"Can't Wynn be my mom instead?"

Tears quietly welled up in her eyes.

"Hannah..."

"Yes, Ms. Fleming?"

"Did Mom cry when she left?"

Hannah paused before answering honestly.

"She smiled."

"Really?"

"But... her smile looked very lonely."

Jordyn lowered her head.

For the first time since Celeste left...

She cried.

Late that evening, Trevor finally returned to Andostan.

The moment he entered the villa, Jordyn rushed into his arms.

"Dad!"

"What's wrong?"

"I want Mom..."

Trevor froze.

"Can you bring her home?"

"I miss her."

"I was wrong..."

Trevor gently hugged his daughter.

He looked toward the quiet dining room.

The lights were on.

Dinner had been prepared.

But no one sat waiting.

No one reminded him to wash his hands.

No one smiled and asked how his day had gone.

The villa felt strangely empty.

He slowly walked upstairs toward the master bedroom.

Half the wardrobe was still empty.

Celeste's favorite perfume no longer filled the room.

Her books had disappeared.

Even the fresh flowers she replaced every week were gone.

Trevor sat quietly on the edge of the bed.

For years...

He believed Celeste would always wait for him.

No matter how late he came home.

No matter how coldly he treated her.

No matter how often he disappointed her.

Now, for the first time...

He returned home.

And realized...

There was no one waiting anymore.