Never Forgive Never Forget (Celeste and Philip) novel Chapter 81

Philip stormed into the house, frustration written all over his face as he collapsed onto the couch, not uttering a word.

Viola noticed his return and quietly brought him a glass of warm water, nestling up beside him with gentle concern.

"Philip, what's gotten under your skin this time?"

"It's the project with Duncan Enterprises."

Philip brushed her hand away, the warmth of the water ignored as the anger pressed against his chest. He muttered under his breath, "I'm just trying to help Celeste, but she refuses to accept it, no matter what I do. What does she even want from me?"

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became. Without another word to Viola, he turned on his heel and disappeared into his room.

No sooner had he left than Viola's gentle expression twisted into something cold and sharp.

Her fingers tightened around the glass until her knuckles went white.

"Celeste again!"

"What have you done to Philip to make him so obsessed with you?" she spat, voice trembling with bitter jealousy. But with Philip still home, she didn't dare shout. Instead, she dug her nails into her palm, the sting of pain snapping her back to herself.

Pain. At least pain was real—something she could hold on to.

A dangerous glint flashed in Viola's eyes. She set down the glass, stalked into the kitchen, and pulled out her phone. Carefully, she typed out a message and left it open in Philip's chat:

"Philip, I hate to see you hurting like this. I'll try to talk to Celeste for you, see if I can help."

Satisfied, she left the kitchen and headed straight for the penthouse.

Celeste had just gotten home from work. As the elevator doors slid open, she saw Viola waiting in front of her apartment, her face instantly turning cold.

"I'm calling security."

"Wait, Celeste—please, I just want to talk. I swear, I don't want to hurt you."

Viola tucked her hands behind her back, eyes wide and innocent as she sent the pre-written text. She looked at Celeste with that same wide-eyed naivete she'd worn when they'd first met.

Celeste hesitated for a split second.

Seizing the moment, Viola closed the distance, catching Celeste off guard as she pinned her against the wall, out of the security camera's line of sight. The innocence in Viola's gaze curdled into something unhinged.

Viola's eyes blazed with wild obsession.

Suddenly, she flipped the knife, dragging it toward her own throat.

Viola was many things, but suicidal wasn't one of them. Still, Celeste couldn't just stand there and let a bloody scene unfold outside her own apartment—or let herself be framed for attempted murder.

Thinking fast, Celeste lunged and grabbed for the knife handle.

"You're insane—let go!"

"Aha! You still care about Philip, don't you? You're still trying to stop me! You just can't stand the thought of losing him!"

Viola fought harder, her grip tightening, the madness in her eyes growing.

She's a lunatic, Celeste thought, straining with all her might, but even then, Viola's grip barely budged. The blade inched closer to her throat, and just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, Celeste found a surge of strength, knocking the knife from Viola's hand with the back of her own.

Clatter—

The knife hit the floor.