Deviating from the original plot

Chapter eighty-nine

Victoria followed Celeste back to her house, the late afternoon sun casting long golden streaks across the marble steps.

"Are you sure you'd rather spend the day with me instead of your family? "Celeste?" he asked, glancing back as they stepped through the doors.

Victoria smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course. I already told them I'd be with you."

Celeste blinked in surprise, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. "You... told them? "

Victoria nodded with a small, warm grin. "I did. They understand."

Before she could say more, Celeste moved closer, slipping her arms around Victoria's waist and resting her head against her shoulder. "I missed you," she whispered.

Victoria's expression softened. "I missed you too," she murmured, tilting her chin up. Their lips met—softly at first, then deepening with the quiet ache of everything they'd endured.

They were abruptly pulled from the moment by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Both women turned to see Clara standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a teasing glint in her eyes.

Celeste quickly stepped back, her cheeks burning. "Uh—Clara! How... how are you doing? "

Clara arched a brow, clearly amused. "I'm doing just fine. I take it things went well in the end? "

Celeste rubbed the back of her neck, avoiding Victoria's gaze. "It did," she said softly, a small, embarrassed smile tugging at her lips.

Clara gave a knowing smirk and folded her arms. "Good. I'll, uh... give you two some space."

Celeste groaned softly, "Clara—"

But Clara was already halfway out the door. "Don't worry, I didn't see anything," she called over her shoulder with a mischievous grin.

Both Celeste and Victoria burst into laughter once she was gone, the tension melting away.

"Come on," Celeste said softly, still smiling. "Let's go upstairs to my room. It's quieter there."

Victoria nodded, following her through the hallway. The soft scent of lavender drifted through the air, and the late afternoon sun streamed in through the windows.

When they stepped into the room, Celeste quietly closed the door behind them and turned to face Victoria with a small smile. "There," she said softly. "No more interruptions this time."

Victoria chuckled, easing herself onto the edge of the bed. "I'll hold you to that."

Celeste crossed the room, her movements light but deliberate, and sat beside Victoria on the bed. The soft creak of the mattress was the only sound for a moment as they settled into the quiet intimacy of the space.

Victoria reached out, her fingers brushing against Celeste's hand. "Are you okay? " she asked.

Celeste's gaze dropped to their joined hands, her thumb tracing small circles over Victoria's knuckles. "I'm okay," she said after a pause, her voice quieter now. "Or... I'm getting there. Being with you helps."

"I'm glad," Victoria said softly, leaning in to press a kiss to Celeste's forehead.

Celeste's lips curved into a faint smile as she shifted closer, resting her head gently against Victoria's shoulder. For a while, neither of them spoke. Then, in a quiet, trembling voice, Celeste whispered, "You know... I've been thinking about this—a lot. About us. I wasn't sure if things would still feel the same after everything, and I just... I don't want to lose you."

Victoria's chest tightened. She turned slightly, brushing a strand of hair from Celeste's face. "You won't," she murmured. "I don't want to lose you either, Celeste. You mean too much to me."