On our wedding day, I announced her name to everyone. Her wedding dress was custom-made by a designer I hired just for her. I slipped the ring onto her finger with my own hands.
After we married, I gradually let her take control of the company's affairs, transferring the shares in my name to hers little by little.
But somewhere along the way, tensions started to grow between her and my adopted brother, Philip. They had fierce disagreements over projects, arguing repeatedly.
Once, Celeste splashed a cup of coffee straight into Philip’s face. That was when the animosity truly took root.
I urged Philip to be more accommodating. He only looked at me with a cold smile.
“Your taste in women,” he said, “is truly terrible.”
I thought the two of them would stay at odds forever until one day I saw Philip wearing the same brand of clothes I liked, the ones I always wore.
Celeste didn’t even blink.
“The store had a buy-one-get-one-free deal,” she explained. “I picked one up for him, too.”
When their relationship seemed to ease, I felt relieved, even happy.
Then, Celeste was kidnapped by a rival company.
The first person to rush in and save her wasn’t me.
It was Philip.
By the time I arrived, he was holding her tightly in his arms, her face streaked with tears.
My chest tightened, but I said nothing.
Later, Celeste explained quietly, “I was terrified. Whoever got there first, I would have reacted the same way.”
The day after our wedding, I flew overseas for an urgent project. When I returned, I didn’t tell her because I wanted to surprise her.
I went quietly to the glass conservatory I had given her as a gift.
And there, I saw a scene I would never forget for the rest of my life.
My adopted brother, Philip, had my new wife pressed against the glass. Their bodies were closely intertwined, with spring sunlight shining through the conservatory.
The gift box slipped from my hand and hit the ground with a sharp crack.
I lunged forward and slammed my fist into Philip.
Celeste hurriedly pulled on her clothes and grabbed my arm. “Nathan, listen to me. Let me explain!”
“Explain?” I yanked my arm free. “Explain how the two of you ended up together? Do you think I’m blind?”
I looked at Philip, then at Celeste.
My anger was already pushed to its breaking point. Still, deep inside, a foolish glimmer of hope remained. Maybe she had just been momentarily confused.
I reached out toward her.