My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Chapter 161 OLIVE BRANCH

KIERAN’S POV

Quite frankly, it was embarrassing how long it had taken me to see Celeste’s performances for what they were.

Now, watching her knot her pale hands, lashes wet as artful tears rolled down, it was clear as day.

She wanted me to step forward, to hush the whispers surging around us, to take her in my arms and apologize for all the hurt and heartache she’d gone through.

Once, I might have done it—let my affection for her blind me to her wiles and schemes.

But not tonight. Not after she so harshly and publicly accused me of rigging the Trials in Sera’s favor.

The bruise to my pride throbbed, fresh and raw. Celeste hadn’t just questioned my judgment—she had ripped my authority as Alpha apart, right in front of my pack, the world, my own son.

If it had been anyone else who’d challenged me like that, they would have been ripped to pieces at my feet.

I wanted to think it was affection that held me back. But in truth, it was pity; I couldn’t stop remembering her groveling in the Arena, begging Ashar to give her the talisman without a fight—and she had the nerve to claim I ceded victory to Sera.

And so I stood there, my silence stretching, my hands tightening into fists at my sides. That was all I could give her now—because if I spoke the words on my mind, we would both regret it.

“We’re all going to Mom’s celebration party,” Daniel’s small voice carried through the crowd. “Why don’t you come too, Aunt Celeste?”

I glanced down at my son in shock.

I hadn’t noticed him push himself forward, but now he stood before me—chin lifted, hair in his eyes, calm in a way that struck me with pride.

For the first time, he had used that title—Aunt Celeste. It was neither affectionate nor warm. Polite. A gesture of grace and maturity that caught me off guard.

For one tense moment, I thought it might work. That Celeste would see the olive branch for what it was and accept it.

But Celeste’s lips curled. “Fuck no,” she said, her tone sharp, final. “I’d rather die than join you all to celebrate a fraud.”

The tension in my jaw tightened to breaking point.

I heard Sera’s sharp intake of breath. Bless his heart, Daniel’s composure did not waver, but his eyes flickered once toward me.

I squeezed his shoulder gently. I was so immensely proud of him. It was no secret that he didn’t like Celeste, but he’d put his personal feelings aside to be kind to her, and somehow, she’d managed to be more childish than the nine-year-old.

“Come, love,” Sera’s voice cut through the dark cloud Celeste had cast like a rainbow. She wrapped a protective hand around Daniel’s shoulder. “That’s enough excitement for one day.”

My fingers twitched with the urge to reach out and pull them both back to my side. But I let them go, my gaze fixed ahead.

“You should rest, Celeste,” I said flatly, my tolerance at its end.

I glanced at my best friend, whose patience looked like it was dangling from the same precarious thread mine was.

“Ethan, please see her home.”

Celeste stiffened, her mouth parting.

Her tears stuttered—just for a heartbeat—then tumbled harder as she gave her all to the performance.

I turned away without another word and left all the theatrics and games behind.

***

CELESTE’S POV

The words struck me like ice water to the face.

‘Ethan, please see her home.’

I hadn’t meant it. Gods above, I hadn’t meant it.

Kieran was supposed to see through my refusal, to know I was only bluffing. I just wanted him to push a little, to show me that I was more important than his son and his ex-wife’s stupid fucking victory celebration.

But instead, his eyes were like stone. No warmth. No indulgence. Just cruel dismissal.

Panic rose in me like a tidal wave as he turned away, heading for the rear exit.

I turned sharply to Ethan, searching for rescue. “Ethan,” I whispered. The tears that trembled down my cheeks this time were authentic. “You won’t let him treat me like this, will you? You’ll remind him who I am. You’ll remind him that my place is by his side.”

Ethan’s gaze, steady and cool, did not soften. “Kieran was right. You need rest, Celeste. You’ve been through enough for one night.”

I gasped. “Ethan—”

“I’m attending Sera’s party with Maya, so I’ll arrange for someone to take you to Mother. She’ll know how to care for you.”

“No!” The word burst from me, too loud, too sharp, drawing more of those cursed eyes upon me.

Heat flooded my face, and I lowered my voice quickly, fumbling to reclaim the image of fragility. “I mean...I don’t want to trouble Mother tonight.”

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