The mirror reflected her flushed cheeks and the disorientation in her eyes. She was conflicted, and one didn't need to guess to know that after staring at her.
Celeste gripped the edge of the bathroom sink, trying to steady herself.
Dominic's words still echoed in her ears. "Make sure you can live with it. With him."
She closed her eyes. The hum of voices beyond the hallway reminded her that she was still in someone else's home, playing a role that felt too tight for her skin.
She splashed a little cold water on her face, breathing in slowly as she stared at her trembling reflection.
"I need Dominic for revenge, and nothing more. I'm not attracted to him. I just want to get under Landon's skin," she murmured to herself. She repeated it over and over again. She needed to say it until she believed it.
The door creaked open behind her. Celeste turned sharply, half-expecting it to be Dominic again.
Instead, it was a maid. An older woman. Her gray hair were could be seen through her bun and kindness was behind her round glasses.
"Oh, Miss Celeste," she said with a soft smile. "I've been looking everywhere. Nana was asking after you. Said she wanted to speak with you privately."
Celeste blinked. "Now?"
"Yes, dear. She's resting upstairs, but she insisted."
Celeste nodded, smoothing her dress and trying to mask the chaos still swirling inside her. "Thank you. I'll go now."
As she made her way through the grand hallway, her heels sounded too loud on the marble floors. She didn't know what she was walking into, but whatever it was, it couldn't be worse than the dinner.
Or so she thought.
The door to Nana's room was slightly ajar. Celeste knocked once. She forced a soft expression as she hesitated.
"Come in, darling," Nana's warm voice called out.
Celeste stepped inside.
The room smelled like lavender and old books. Soft golden lighting filled the space, and in the center of the room, propped up by pillows, lay Nana. Her hair was thinner than Celeste remembered, her skin papery and pale, but her eyes were bright, and always so full of light.
Beside the bed, seated on the velvet armchair, was Landon. Of course he was here. Celeste's mood immediately turned sour.
He turned his head slowly as she walked in, and the smirk on his face was almost lazy. Like he'd been waiting.
Celeste smiled tightly, ignoring him, as she walked toward the bed.
"You look tired, my sweet girl," Nana said, reaching out a frail hand. Celeste took it and kissed her knuckles.
"Just a bit overwhelmed, Nana. It's a big family."
Nana chuckled. "Oh, they do talk too much. But I'm glad you came. I wanted to see you both."
Celeste nodded, sensing something deeper. Landon remained where he was, completely at ease, his fingers were tracing the edge of the heirloom box resting on the bedside table.
"I was telling Landon," Nana said, motioning toward the antique box, "about the family heirlooms. They're supposed to be passed on to Dominic's bride."
Celeste stilled. That name. It was enough to make her stomach drop. Yet, she havent known him for so long.
"But Dominic, that stubborn boy," Nana continued with a sigh, "has decided not to marry. Keeps saying he's too busy. Or that he doesn't believe in love."
She paused, studying Celeste. "But you, my dear. You're different. You've been patient and really gentle. You're the only one who's ever softened Landon's edges."
Celeste shifted uncomfortably. Landon came forward, and placed a hand lightly on her lower back. He had guts.
She resisted the urge to elbow him in the ribs.
"I want you to have them," Nana said softly.
Celeste's throat tightened. She looked down at the velvet box Nana opened with delicate fingers.
Inside was a necklace—ornate, gold-twined with tiny emeralds like drops of forest. There were matching earrings and a ring so intricately designed it looked like art.
"These have been in our family for four generations. They're yours the day you marry Landon."
The room tilted slightly.
Celeste forced a smile, her chest squeezing tightly. She could feel Landon's eyes on her, waiting for her to break. To flinch. To deny it and start an argument. This wasn't what she signed up for.
She lifted her eyes and met his gaze directly. She glared at him. He did this. He set her up without informing her.
Landon smirked staring down at her.
"They're beautiful, Nana," Celeste said gently, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Not as beautiful as you are in them," the old woman replied sweetly. "And it gives me peace, knowing they'll stay with someone who will treasure them."
Celeste wanted to say no. She wanted to scream that none of this was real, that Landon had manipulated everything. She wanted to tell Nana everything, and how she had been a bet.
But this was Nana. Sweet, dying Nana. The woman who had once sat beside her during family events, feeding her secret candies and whispering encouragement into her ears when she felt out of place.
"I know I may not have much time," Nana went on, the softness in her voice cracking. "And before I go, I want to see this family strong again. Whole."
Celeste blinked back the sting in her eyes.
"I want your wedding to happen in two months," Nana said firmly. "We'll keep it small. Just family, and love."
Landon leaned forward. "Of course, Nana. Whatever makes you happy." He smiled, and kissed the old woman's knuckles.
Nana smiled.
Celeste looked at him sharply. She didn't say yes. She didn't say no. She felt like throwing up.
She looked down at the heirlooms, then back up at Nana's bright eyes. "Thank you," she said softly. It was the only thing she could say. For now.
Nana smiled. "I knew I could trust you."
As she squeezed Celeste's hand one last time, Celeste could feel Landon's smirk growing beside her.
She felt trapped. But most of all, she felt watched and more evil than Landon. Landon had used her as a bet, and now, she wanted to use Dominic as revenge.
And she wondered what he would think when he found out she was about to marry his nephew. In two months!
Two months. Sixty days. She couldn't even keep eye contact with him for five seconds without rage simmering. How then was she supposed to marry this man?