Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 79

After saying all that, Philip felt a surge of confidence.

Wasn't it better for her to come back to someone she truly knew, rather than be a cold, heartless man's mistress?

To him, it was only logical.

But across the table, Celeste just let out a soft, mocking laugh.

"So let me get this straight. You want me to marry you, while you keep Viola on the side? Sharing a man—tell me, how is that any different from staying with Alfred as his lover?"

"If I'm going to share, I'd rather be with Alfred. He's better looking, wealthier, and has more power than you ever will. I'd rather be his mistress than your wife."

As she spoke, Celeste slowly stood up, planting her palm on the edge of the table and leaning forward slightly. There was a dangerous light flickering in her eyes as she stared Philip down. "And besides, you're hoping to use me to climb up to Alfred's circle. If anything, you should be trying to please me. Maybe, if I'm feeling generous, I'll introduce you."

Philip's confidence shattered in an instant.

He was so angry his whole body trembled, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.

Man's pride.

His former lover's choices.

All of it felt like sharp knives, slicing him to pieces.

"Celeste, you act like being the other woman is perfectly justified!"

"And you, the ex-husband who moved on without a second thought, pretending to be all devoted now—when you're really just after connections. How noble of you." Celeste deliberately drew out the last words, letting them hang in the air.

Philip's fury boiled over; he slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.

"Celeste! I'm saying all this for your own good!"

"And I'm saying this for yours," Celeste shot back coolly. "If you're smart, you'll start trying to win me over instead of causing a scene here at Duncan Group like some hysterical drama queen."

She gave him a withering look, her composure perfectly intact.

Once her lover.

Now her adversary.

Torn, she let out a cold laugh. "When I left, I did regret it—for a moment. I regretted ever trusting your false sincerity. But as for our time together, I never once held a grudge."

"If you're here to talk business, then let's keep personal matters out of it. Otherwise, maybe you should sort yourself out before wasting any more of my time."

With that, Celeste slouched back in her chair, waiting for his answer.

Was he going to set the past aside and get down to business, or let himself be rattled and walk away?

Philip met her challenging gaze and felt himself suffocating.

All those memories—once so easy, so intimate—now felt like heavy cloth, pressing down on his chest, making it impossible to speak.

Her words—I never once held a grudge—made his heart ache all over again.

But the cold edge in her voice sent it crashing right back down.

A twisting pain gripped his chest; all the words he wanted to say caught in his throat.