Chapter 13 - Celeste Gets Her Own Ending
Celeste Warren disappeared from Chicago for nearly a year.
Not because she was hiding.
Because for the first time in years, she was free.
Victor Carbone died in federal medical custody.
Dominic received a lengthy sentence after cooperating.
The criminal networks around both families fractured.
Celeste no longer needed to play bait.
She moved to Seattle.
Started a consulting company.
Adopted an elderly dog with one eye.
Evelyn occasionally received photographs.
Adrian pretended not to care.
Then one afternoon, Celeste appeared at Noelle House.
Evelyn stared.
“You’re here.”
“I’m here.”
“Why?”
Celeste held out an envelope.
“I found something belonging to Adrian.”
Adrian arrived twenty minutes later.
Inside the envelope was a letter from Celeste’s missing brother.
Written years earlier.
It revealed one final truth.
Marcus had saved Adrian’s life nine years ago by feeding Victor false information about a restaurant meeting.
Victor had planned an attack.
Marcus redirected him.
Adrian looked at Marcus.
“You never told me.”
Marcus sighed.
“We have discussed our collective problem with secrets.”
Evelyn laughed.
Adrian shook his head.
“Thank you.”
Marcus nodded.
Then Celeste turned toward Evelyn.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You already apologized.”
“Not properly.”
Celeste looked toward Noelle.
“I knew the operation could hurt your marriage.”
Evelyn became still.
“I told myself Adrian understood the risk.”
“He didn’t.”
“No.”
Celeste swallowed.
“I should have refused.”
Evelyn considered it.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Celeste looked surprised.
“I’m not going to tell you it was okay because things worked out.”
“That’s fair.”
“But I forgive you.”
Celeste’s eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Also, your perfume is banned from my house.”
Celeste laughed.
“Completely fair.”
Adrian groaned.
“I knew this would become my problem.”
“It was always your problem,” both women said simultaneously.
Marcus laughed so hard he had to leave the room.
That evening, Celeste stayed for dinner.
No jealousy.
No rivalry.
No ridiculous competition.
Just adults who had survived a terrible plan and learned enough not to repeat it.
Before leaving, Celeste hugged Evelyn.
Then looked at Adrian.
“Don’t screw this up.”
Adrian frowned.
“Everyone says that.”
“There may be a reason.”
She left.
Evelyn closed the door.
Adrian wrapped his arms gently around her from behind.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Sure?”
“Yes.”
He kissed her hair.
“You smell like Celeste.”
Evelyn spun around.
“What?”
He ran.
She chased him through the kitchen with a dish towel while Noelle screamed with laughter from her high chair.
Adrian Moretti had once been feared across Chicago.
Now he was hiding behind a kitchen island from his wife.
May you like
Marcus later called it his greatest downfall.
Adrian called it retirement.
