The Scent of 21

Chapter 21

When Trevor returned home after celebrating Wynn’s victory, it was nearly 1:00 am.

Peter noticed Trevor carrying a sleepy Jordyn and asked with concern, “Why were you out so late, Mr. Fleming?” Trevor responded with a hum and offered no further explanation.

After settling Jordyn into her room, Trevor returned to his own, turned on the light, and noticed Celeste’s absence. He asked Peter, “She didn’t come home tonight?”

“Mrs. Fleming? No, she hasn’t.”

Trevor raised a brow in mild surprise.

Celeste had rarely been staying at home the past few days. Frequent nights away were unusual for her. Could something serious have happened with the Rodriguez family?

The next morning, Jordyn woke up beaming, still feeling the joy of her time spent with Wynn, Hugging her stuffed doll, she happily made her way to the master bedroom.

“Mom! Mom!” she called out cheerfully.

But the room was empty.

The smile on Jordyn’s face faltered.

Just then, Trevor stepped out of the walk–in closet, already dressed for the day.

“Where’s Mom?” Jordyn probed.

Trevor adjusted his tie with practiced ease while replying nonchalantly, not home.”

“She’s

“Huh? Why?”

“Ask her yourself.”

“Okay.”

Jordyn called Celeste.

Celeste had just returned from her morning jog. Seeing Jordyn’s name on the screen, she answered it.

Jordyn piped up eagerly, “Mom! Where are you?”

Instead of answering, Celeste asked, “What’s wrong, Jo? Did you i

something?”

Aside from Lottle, no one knew where Celeste was staying she enjoyed the peace of living alone and wasn’t ready to let anyone disrupt that just yet.

For now, she wasn’t planning to tell Jordyn where she was staying.

With the phone on speaker, Jordyn lay sprawled across Celeste and Trevor’s bed and whined, “I miss you. Can you take me to school later?”

“My place Is a bit far. I won’t be able to pick you up in time. Maybe next time, okay?”

“Okay,” Jordyn replied, visibly disappointed. Then, she added expectantly, “But you have to take me tomorrow morning, promise!”

Celeste hesitated. She wasn’t eager to return to that house.

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Chapter 21

“Mom?”

Their conversation was on speaker, so Trevor overheard every word. Celeste’s unusual hesitation caught his attention. Knowing Celeste’s devotion to Jordyn, he assumed she would immediately agree.

After a moment, Celeste suggested, “How about you let your dad take you?”

Jordyn truly missed Celeste.

When her request wasn’t immediately granted, she felt wronged and her eyes reddened. “No…

than yesterday, you haven’t taken me to school in so long!”

Since she was so insistent, Celeste finally relented. “Alright, I’ll take you.”

I you! Other

Her agreement wasn’t out of sentiment. Instead, it was a matter of responsibility. She had chosen to bring Jordyn into the world, so she owed it to her daughter.

Jordyn’s tears gave way to a bright smile.

As Trevor fastened his watch, he noticed Jordyn was still engrossed in the conversation and reminded her, “If you don’t go down for breakfast now, you’ll be late.”

Jordyn gasped. “Oh no! I haven’t brushed my teeth or washed my face yet. Mom, talk later!”

Without waiting for Celeste to reply, she hastily ended the call.

Setting her phone aside, Celeste finished her breakfast before heading to Fleming Group for work.

-25 BONUS

Chapter 22

Chapter 22