"But... aren't we supposed to go to court today?" Celeste asked quietly. "For the divorce papers?"
A brief silence fell over the dining hall. All eyes turned to her. The Blackwells had finally found a solution to their problem, and now she was talking about leaving?
Margaret was the first to recover. The smile that had slipped from her lips returned.
"Oh dear, yes. It must have slipped my mind," she said lightly, letting out a soft laugh. "I'm simply excited to finally have a daughter in the house. I only raised boys, you see." She leaned forward slightly. "But I only said we would discuss it, not rush straight to court. And you still need to rest, you've been through quite a lot."
"My wife is right," Charles added calmly. "Also, had your family's consent before this marriage. If you intend to dissolve it, they must be involved in that discussion as well."
"And most importantly," Margaret continued gently, "you'll need Aiden's signature, like I told you. This isn't a decision you can make on your own, dear."
Margaret had expected her to change her mind about the divorce, but clearly, she hadn't. She had heard about how he'd almost strangled her, that must've scared her. Still, they had to convince her to stay without resolving to force yet. That would only compromise their plans.
Celeste straightened slightly. "I already spoke to Aiden."
The table stilled.
Margaret hadn't expected that. She hadn't thought Celeste would actually speak to him. Mentioning Aiden had only been for formality, something to delay her. And most of all, she wouldn't be able to have a conversation with him. The boy was mad and full of pride, simple words wouldn't work on him. But if it did, then that would be a big problem.
"He asked for the divorce papers himself," Celeste continued. "That's why I need to get them today—before he changes his mind."
A glance passed between the Blackwells. Aiden had always been the problem, and he still was. How could he have agreed so easily? They needed to act fast. Otherwise, things could turn very bad.
"Did he really say that?" Michael leaned forward slightly. "He says things he doesn't mean. He might deny it tomorrow." A soft smile stretched across his lips, like his words were only out of worry.
"All the more reason to get it done today," Celeste replied.
Margaret's smile tightened as she glanced at her husband for help. This was slipping out of her control.
Charles cleared his throat. "I'll speak to my lawyer about the papers," he said. "But this isn't something you can decide alone. We will need to hear from Aiden directly, and discuss this amongst ourselves as his family."
"Yes, dear," Margaret added, her voice softening. "That boy says things he doesn't mean, he must've given you false hope."
"Then why don't we ask him now." Celeste said. The last thing she wanted was to miss this opportunity. Her family had pushed her into this, she could only rely on herself to get out.
The Blackwells stared at Celeste. They could tell she was desperate to leave. She seemed naïve, unaware that she had been sold to them, and that they had no intention of letting her go, even if the madman agreed. She was their only hope. And though it took everything in them not to snap at her, their patience was wearing thin.
"Fine," Charles said at last. His gaze shifted to Clarke. "Send for Harlow. Tell him to bring Aiden out of the penthouse."
Clarke hesitated for a fraction of a second before she bowed and left.
"Are you sure about this, dear?" Margaret asked, her expression lined with worry. She wasn't sure if this was a right choice, if things got out of hands she couldn't bear to lose Celeste.
"Yes, Mrs. Blackwell," Celeste replied. "I spoke to him yesterday and he had agreed. I just have to ask him once again so you all would believe me. Celeste knew what they were worried about, it wasn't right even to herself that she had a conversation with the mad heir. But he hadn't acted mad last night and had seemed completely normal.
The older woman gave her a look of disbelief, then turn to a servant nearby. "You there, have the guards prepare the chains and the whips."
The servant hurried off and she turned back to Celeste, her smile returning just as quickly. "Celeste dear, if you're done eating please step out with us."
Margaret couldn't show that she was a little frustrated. But her self control was the least she could hold on to for this. She didn't care if Celeste had survived out of pure luck or accident. Either way, she was married to her mad nephew and practically own everything that belonged to him now. She wouldn't let anyone not even her nephew to take away that hope she had.