Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 130

The socialites lounged on their velvet chairs, whispering behind manicured hands and watching Viola as if she were a sideshow act. Their eyes sparkled with amusement, their laughter muffled but unmistakably derisive.

Celeste frowned, her patience already thin. It was obvious the women had decided Viola was tonight's entertainment—and Viola, oblivious or perhaps willfully blind, seemed all too happy to play the fool.

It was the perfect spectacle, Celeste thought wryly: one person eager to show off, the others eager to jeer. She shook her head, resigned. Viola's business was none of hers; she turned away, ready to rejoin the conversation with her old friends.

Suddenly, the music stopped. Viola lowered her violin, her gaze cold and direct.

"Well, if it isn't Celeste. You taught me to play, remember? And now you're acting like you're above it all. What's with the attitude?"

Celeste didn't even blink.

The circle of guests erupted into quiet gossip, and even Kate—never one to miss a scene—looked on with interest.

Viola pressed on, relentless. "What's the matter, Celeste? Living off some man for so long that you forgot how to play? If not, why don't you come up and perform? Let's see, after all these years, which one of us is the better musician."

She was persistent as a buzzing fly, and just as irritating.

Celeste turned back slowly, her voice calm and cool. "You? You actually think you're my equal?"

Viola scoffed, her laughter sharp and brittle. "Why not? While you were off tangled up in your latest romance, I never once set my violin aside—"

Before she could finish, Kate cut in, her patience clearly at its end.

"From the way you just played, it's obvious you're far from a professional," Kate said, her tone blunt. "If you'd really spent all this time practicing, you wouldn't sound so amateur. And bragging that Celeste taught you? Please, you're just embarrassing her."

Kate managed to compose herself. "It's funny because Luna doesn't know you at all. Who are you trying to fool?"

Celeste wiped tears from her eyes, grinning. The truth was, Luna was standing right in front of Viola—Kate herself. If Viola had ever actually performed with her, she would have recognized the woman instantly, both her voice and her face.

Their laughter rang out, bold and unrestrained, while Viola's cheeks burned with humiliation. She hadn't expected to be so thoroughly outdone by Celeste once again.

Still, Viola clung to her last hope—she'd already texted Philip, and he'd be there soon. Straightening, she snapped, "It's easy to mock someone when you can't compete. Just admit it—you've never performed with Luna. You want to criticize my playing? Maybe look in the mirror first. Celeste, if you're too afraid to show your skills, fine, but what's with dragging around this nobody?"

Celeste's expression darkened ever so slightly. She could let insults slide when they were aimed at herself, but she had no tolerance for anyone belittling her friends.

Viola, catching the spark in Celeste's eyes, felt a thrill of vindication. She gripped her violin tighter. Soon, Philip would arrive—and then everyone would see the real Celeste for who she was.