Chapter 16 - CELESTE'S VERSION
Celeste refused every accusation until she learned Richard had cooperated.
Then she demanded an interview.
Her attorney objected.
Celeste insisted.
She admitted the affair.
She admitted the theft.
She admitted the Zurich plan.
She admitted falsifying parts of Ethan's guardianship petition.
But she claimed Richard had controlled the poisoning.
“He wanted Claire gone.”
“Why?”
“Because she had enough evidence to send him to prison.”
“What did you want?”
Celeste laughed bitterly.
“What my mother was owed.”
Detective Briggs placed Claire's settlement draft in front of her.
“She planned to give you thirty percent.”
Celeste stared at the page.
For the first time, she seemed genuinely stunned.
“This isn't real.”
“It is.”
“She never told me.”
“She tried.”
“No.”
Briggs pushed Claire's diary closer.
Celeste refused to read it.
“She looked down on us.”
“Claire spent years trying to correct what happened.”
“She kept control.”
“She protected the assets because she believed you and Richard were stealing.”
Celeste's breathing changed.
Then Briggs told her about Julian.
Celeste's face went white.
“He has no claim.”
“He's Margaret Vale's son.”
“He abandoned us.”
“He was a baby.”
“My mother chose him.”
Briggs suddenly understood.
So did Ethan, watching remotely.
Celeste's anger had never been only about money.
It was about being left.
Margaret had sent Julian away believing he would have a better life with her sister.
Celeste had interpreted that decision as rejection.
Years later, every injustice became part of the same wound.
Her mother's poverty.
Her father's absence.
Julian's adoption.
The Mercer family's wealth.
Claire's marriage.
Ethan's fortune.
None excused what Celeste had done.
But it explained why fairness had never been enough.
Celeste finally admitted giving Claire the capsules.
“I thought they'd make her sick.”
“Richard told you what was inside?”
“He said she'd be weak.”
“Did you know they could kill her?”
Celeste looked away.
“Answer.”
“I knew there was a risk.”
The room went silent.
“And you continued?”
Celeste's eyes filled with tears.
“She wouldn't stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Fighting.”
Briggs leaned back.
“Claire was fighting because you were stealing from her family.”
Celeste whispered, “She already had everything.”
Later, Ethan received permission to hear part of the interview.
He turned it off.
He no longer needed Celeste to explain herself.
Claire's evidence had done that.
But Sophie still needed answers of another kind.
That night she sat beside Ethan on Claire's old bed.
“Did Celeste make Mommy sick?”
Ethan carefully chose his words.
“Yes.”
Sophie began crying silently.
Ethan held her.
After a long time, she looked at him.
“Did Mommy know?”
“I think she knew something was wrong.”
“Was she scared?”
“Yes.”
Sophie wiped her eyes.
“Did she leave me because she wanted to?”
Ethan's heart broke.
“No.”
He pulled her closer.
“Your mom fought very hard to stay.”
May you like
Then Sophie handed him Claire's photograph.
“Then we should finish what Mommy started.”
