All I Ask Is a Quiet Life

Timothy's voice was hard.

Celeste's smile disappeared when she saw him. She didn't want Hayden to hear about this and worry about her, so she quickly made an excuse to hang up.

As soon as she did that, Terence snarled, "Why did you call the cops, Celeste? Winona just switched out the medication in the heat of the moment. Did you have to go after her for that? Do you know how badly you scared her by calling the cops on her like that? You made her cry!"

His expression was frosty, but his eyes blazed with flames of rage. It was as if she'd committed a heinous crime.

Celeste lowered her gaze and curled her lip mockingly. "You think I should've let her off for what she did? I ended up in the ER last night, you know. Or do you think I should've waited until after I died to call the police?"

She'd gone into shock and had almost died. She'd spent the night in the hospital, yet he hadn't even asked how she was. His first thought upon learning that she'd called the police was to interrogate her, and his first reaction to learning that Winona had switched out the medication was to side with her.

His heart was wholly and completely in Winona's favor.

Terence was taken aback by Celeste's questions. Then, he snapped to his senses, and a trace of irritation flashed in her eyes. He scowled impatiently and said, "She acted impulsively in switching out the medication, but I've already told her off for that. Stop harping on about it. Besides, you're fine now, aren't you? I'll stay here to care for you if you're still mad. Happy now?"

He had more to say, but his phone rang, stopping him. He immediately dropped his scowl when he saw it was Winona calling. "Everything's fine, so don't worry. They can't take you away, alright? Stop crying. Does your cut still hurt?"

He left the room as he spoke on the phone. Celeste watched him, suddenly finding the situation laughable. She'd long since lost hope in him, yet she still found his actions ironic.

She'd almost died, yet all he'd done was berate her. Winona had just cut her hand, yet he was so worried he couldn't bear to leave her for even a minute.

Her chest throbbed dully with pain; she suddenly lost the strength to fight back.

…

Terence claimed he would stay in the hospital to be with Celeste, but Winona wouldn't let that happen. Each time he set foot in the hospital ward, he would receive a message or call from her.

"I'm scared to be home alone, Terence. Can you come back to be with me?

"You know I tend to sleepwalk. I can't rest easy without you watching over me. Come home, please.

"I'm so bored today. If you don't come home to be with me, I might just go abroad to spend a year or two with my friends."

A message or phone call would be enough to draw all of Terence's attention. He would absent-mindedly tell Celeste to rest well before turning and leaving.

All Celeste did was watch calmly as he came and went. Maybe it was because she'd long since lost hope in him, but seeing him so devoted to Winona no longer affected her. She was already numb.

All she wanted now was to get better as soon as possible so she could leave forever and never see him again.

…

Celeste was alone on the day she was discharged from the hospital.

During her final week before her departure, she received an invitation to watch a boxing match. It was organized by one of her company's business partners—she and Terence had both been invited.

She accepted the invitation and got dressed before leaving the house. Terence waited beside the car in a dark suit tailored for him. It made him look commanding.

When Celeste came out of the house, she saw him hold the door open as Winona got into the front passenger seat. She wore a pale pink evening gown, and her hair cascaded down her back in waves. Her makeup was light and impeccable, and she looked up at him with twinkling eyes.

Celeste faltered when she saw them acting so affectionately. Soon, however, she suppressed her emotions and got into the backseat without batting an eye.

On the way to the boxing ring, she looked out the window quietly, not reacting to any of Terence's and Winona's laughter and chatter. Eventually, they fell silent.

Celeste sensed a sharp gaze occasionally landing on her amid the silence. She turned to meet Terence's eyes in the rearview mirror. He looked at her oddly. Then, he looked away.

Guests milled about at the venue. Terence entered the hall with Winona on his arm. He deliberately left Celeste behind as he carefully shielded Winona. He introduced her to everyone he knew and pulled out her seat for her, leaning close to her as he explained the rules of the match to her.

"I guess the rumors online are true—Mr. Ford is very displeased with his wife. Did you see how he hasn't even spared her a glance since they arrived?"

"Anyone with eyes can tell that Winona is the one he cares about. See how he can't take his eyes off her now that she's by his side? I bet he and Celeste are going to call it quits soon."

Celeste's heart ached a little at their words. She clenched her fists but kept her expression calm.

The boxing match heated up, and blood spilled as fists flew. She couldn't stand the brutality, so she got up to quietly leave the scene.

Just then, Winona shot to her feet and felt around anxiously for something. "My necklace is gone! It's missing!"