Chapter 10 - THE MOTHER WHO CAME BACK FOR MONEY
Celeste returned in November.
Not quietly.
Not secretly.
She arrived at the Belandi estate with two attorneys and a demand for access to the children.
Adrien met her in the front hall.
He looked at the woman he had once married.
She wore a white designer coat.
Diamond earrings.
Perfect makeup.
And a smile that did not reach her eyes.
“Adrien.”
He said nothing.
Celeste looked around.
“Still living like a king.”
“What do you want?”
She sighed.
“Must we be unpleasant?”
“Yes.”
Her smile vanished.
“I want to see my children.”
Adrien's jaw tightened.
“Their safety comes first.”
Celeste crossed her arms.
“I'm their mother.”
“That doesn't erase what investigators found.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You're making a mistake.”
Adrien remained calm.
“Any contact will be handled through the appropriate legal process.”
Celeste stared at him.
Then smiled coldly.
“You've changed.”
Adrien nodded.
“Yes.”
The legal proceedings were difficult.
Celeste denied wrongdoing.
Her attorneys challenged the recordings.
Investigators presented additional evidence.
Former employees testified.
The children's therapists provided carefully limited professional observations without forcing the children to relive their experiences.
Evelyn did not become a witness to events she hadn't seen.
She remained a supportive adult in the children's lives.
Eventually, the court imposed restrictions designed to protect the triplets while the allegations were resolved.
Celeste faced separate legal consequences for financial misconduct and conduct uncovered during the investigation.
Adrien left the courthouse exhausted.
Evelyn waited outside.
He looked at her.
“It's not over.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
He took a breath.
“But they're safe tonight.”
Evelyn smiled.
May you like
“Yes.”
For now, that was enough.
