Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 335

Chapter 335

I did not want to go. I knew what was about to happen. Dominic wanted to make a clean break with me, face-to- face, the way a gentleman was supposed to end things, and he had chosen a beautiful garden as the backdrop because beautiful gardens made rejection feel slightly less brutal, the way flowers at a funeral made death feel slightly less final. But it was better this way, I told myself. Instead of holding on to a lie, better to get it over with. Better to hear the words from his mouth and walk away knowing, definitively, that there was nothing left to hope for.

I strolled back to my car, got in, and began to drive. I had to use the navigation because I had never been to Sterling Gardens before. I had heard of it, of course. Everyone had. It was one of those places that appeared in luxury travel magazines and the I*******m feeds of celebrities who were trying to look grounded and appreciative of nature.

A private botanical conservatory built by some oil baron in the 1920s and maintained ever since by a foundation that charged membership fees roughly equivalent to the annual salary of a mid-level executive. I had always wanted to visit.

The navigation guided me through increasingly narrow roads, past gated estates and darkened driveways, until I reached a discreet stone entrance with a brass plaque that read STERLING GARDENS in letters so small and understated they were practically apologising for existing. The gates were open. I drove through.

The parking area was empty except for one car, a sleek black vehicle I recognised as one of Dominic’s fleet. I parked beside it and sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, breathing slowly in through my nose and out through my mouth.

“Be strong, Celeste,” I told myself. “It will be over in no time.”

My legs felt heavy as I walked through the entrance.

The garden was breathtaking.

Stone pathways curved gently through beds of flowers, leading deeper into the estate. White roses climbed elegant trellises, jasmine spilled over low stone walls, and delicate flowers in shades of lavender, cream and pale pink swayed gently in the evening breeze. Small lanterns had been placed along the paths, casting a soft glow over the gravel and surrounding greenery. Somewhere nearby, water trickled from a fountain, its quiet rhythm blending with the rustling leaves.

It was peaceful.

Beautiful.

Serene.

Under different circumstances, I would have adored it.

Tonight, every flower irritated me.

Every beautiful path seemed determined to remind me that I was walking toward heartbreak.

I continued along the winding path, following it even though I had no idea where Dominic was waiting.

I refused to call him.

If he wanted me there, he could wait.

I would find him eventually.

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Then the lights suddenly came on and I stopped.

One by one, warm golden lights illuminated the garden around me. Tiny lights appeared among the branches overhead. More flickered to life along the trellises and flower beds, transforming the quiet garden into something almost magical.

I lifted a hand to shield my eyes.

Then I heard a voice.

“Celeste Adams.”

My heart lurched.

I knew that voice.

Slowly, I lowered my hand and turned toward it.

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