The Word Oliver Chose
Chapter 04 - The Word Oliver Chose
Celeste used the confusion immediately.
“She encouraged this unhealthy attachment,” she told Adrian. “That is why I removed her.”
Adrian turned sharply.
“You just admitted removing her.”
Celeste paused.
Then recovered.
“I handled a staffing matter you were too emotionally involved to address.”
Grace looked at Oliver.
The boy stood close to Adrian but kept one hand wrapped around the soaked edge of Grace’s apron. His breathing remained uneven.
Adrian knelt.
“Oliver, why did you run?”
The boy looked toward Celeste.
She smiled at him.
It was a warning disguised as warmth.
Oliver lowered his eyes.
Grace crouched several feet away, careful not to touch him first.
“You can tell your father,” she said softly.
Oliver’s voice trembled.
“Celeste said after tonight I was going to Saint Bartholomew’s.”
Adrian frowned.
Saint Bartholomew’s was a boarding school in Switzerland.
He had rejected the idea months ago.
Celeste’s smile vanished.
“She misunderstood a conversation.”
Oliver shook his head.
“She packed my blue suitcase.”
Oliver held Grace’s apron tighter.
“She said after you married her, no one would listen when I cried.”
Adrian looked at Celeste.
Then at the woman who had raised his son without replacing the mother he lost.
May you like
Oliver whispered, “I called Grace Mom because she always came back.”
Adrian felt the sentence land where no accusation could.
