That was true.
It was just that…
Celeste lifted her eyes, about to respond—but when she met Jordyn’s hopeful gaze, the words caught in her throat. She couldn’t say no.
At that moment, Trevor spoke.
“Since you have time, come back with us for a while.”
“…Alright.”
Celeste got into the car with them.
On the way back, Jordyn was full of energy, chattering nonstop. But as they neared home, sleep finally caught up with her, and she drifted off.
The car pulled into the courtyard.
Trevor stepped out and carefully lifted Jordyn into his arms. Celeste stayed in the car for a brief moment, watching him, before quietly getting out as well.
Hearing their return, the housekeeper hurried outside to greet them. The moment he saw Celeste, surprise flickered across his face—quickly replaced by delight.
“Mrs. Fleming, you’re back.”
Celeste paused slightly. She didn’t acknowledge the title, only nodded politely. “Sorry for the trouble.”
The housekeeper’s smile wavered for a second, and he instinctively glanced at Trevor.
Trevor, meanwhile, stood there holding Jordyn, waiting for Celeste.
“Do you want to go upstairs and rest first?” he asked.
Celeste nodded and followed him inside.
She didn’t deliberately look around, but the moment she stepped in, she noticed—
everything was exactly the same.
Nothing had changed.
Trevor carried Jordyn straight to her room, with Celeste following behind.
After gently removing Jordyn’s coat and shoes and tucking her into bed, Trevor turned to Celeste.
“Sleeping with Jo tonight?”
Celeste nodded.
“Alright. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Okay.”
Trevor didn’t linger. He turned and left the room.
There were spare pajamas in Jordyn’s room, so Celeste picked a set and went into the bathroom.
After her shower, once her hair was dry, she stepped out—just in time to see Hannah carrying several items into the room.
Noticing her gaze, Hannah smiled. “Mr. Fleming asked me to bring over the things you usually use. Your clothes and skincare products are here. If you need anything else, just let me know anytime, Mrs. Fleming.”
“I understand. It’s late—go get some rest.”
“Alright.”
Hannah left.
Celeste sat at the dressing table. As she reached for the skincare products, she realized something—
they were the exact brand she always used.
But every single item was brand new. Unopened.
She paused.
Then continued.
Just as she finished, her phone chimed several times in quick succession.
She picked it up.
It was already past midnight.
Matthias, Beck, Caleb, Kieran, Theodore, Harold—and several others—had all sent New Year greetings.
Celeste smiled faintly and replied to each one.
The moment Beck saw her response, another message came through immediately.
“I heard from Trevor you went out with him and Jo tonight. How was it? Did you have fun?”
Celeste typed back, “It was quite fun.”
That seemed to open the floodgates.
Caleb, Kieran, Theodore, and the others started messaging again.
She also sent New Year wishes to Zachary and Lottie.
For the next half hour, she stayed busy replying, her phone lighting up again and again.
Eventually, the conversations quieted.
Just as she was about to put her phone down, another message came in.
This time—
it was from Trevor, in the room next door.
“Happy New Year. Go to bed early. Good night.”
