Bound by law

Chapter 70:Heated Argument

Estelle paced the length of her living room, her heart racing as she waited for Celeste to arrive. Every few seconds, her eyes flicked to her phone, the pictures of Celeste and Sabrina burned into her mind. The images haunted her, gnawing at the edges of her confidence. How could this be happening? She felt a sharp mix of anger, hurt, and betrayal swirling inside her, threatening to bubble over.

She's using you. You're just a toy. The words from the anonymous message echoed in her mind. She clenched her fists, trying to keep herself from spiraling any further.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Estelle's heart leapt into her throat. She swallowed hard, bracing herself for what was about to happen. The moment of truth. She crossed the room and opened the door to find Celeste standing there, looking as calm and composed as ever, though there was an edge of concern in her eyes.

"Estelle," Celeste greeted, her voice low as she stepped inside. But before she could say anything more, Estelle shut the door behind her with a snap and faced her, her hands trembling with the weight of what she was about to say.

"We need to talk," Estelle said, her voice shaking slightly. "And I want the truth."

Celeste's brows furrowed slightly, and she stepped closer to Estelle, her expression softening. "What's going on? What's this about?"

Estelle didn't wait another second. She pulled out her phone and shoved it toward Celeste, the pictures of her and Sabrina on full display. "This," she said, her voice tight with anger and hurt. "What the hell is this, Celeste?"

Celeste's face immediately hardened as she looked at the photos, her jaw tightening. She was silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she studied the images before finally meeting Estelle's gaze.

"Where did you get these?" Celeste asked, her voice calm but with an underlying edge.

"Does it matter where I got them?" Estelle snapped, her voice rising. "What matters is that I'm seeing pictures of you and Sabrina—recent pictures! You said she was part of your past, that there was nothing between you two anymore. But these don't look like they're from the past, Celeste."

Celeste took a deep breath, clearly trying to keep her own emotions in check. "Estelle, these pictures aren't what they look like."

Estelle let out a bitter laugh, her frustration boiling over. "Not what they look like? Are you serious? They look like the two of you are still very much involved. So explain, because right now, it feels like you've been lying to me this whole time."

"I haven't lied to you," Celeste said firmly, her voice controlled but tense. "Yes, Sabrina and I have history, but I told you it's over. Those pictures are out of context. She's been trying to manipulate the situation—trying to get under your skin, and clearly, it's working."

Estelle's eyes narrowed, her anger flaring again. "Manipulate the situation? Celeste, she kissed you! She's calling you baby in front of me! And now I'm getting anonymous messages telling me I'm just a toy to you, that you're still in love with her. So tell me, what am I supposed to believe?"

Celeste's expression darkened, her own frustration starting to seep through her composed exterior. "You're supposed to believe me, Estelle. Sabrina is a part of my past, but she can't seem to let go. She's always been manipulative, trying to get her way. But she means nothing to me now."

Estelle shook her head, tears of frustration brimming in her eyes. "Then why didn't you push her away when she kissed you in court? Why didn't you say anything? You let it happen! Do you have any idea how humiliating that was for me? Seeing her act like you still belong to her?"

"I didn't want to make a scene in the middle of the courtroom," Celeste replied sharply, her voice rising slightly. "I was handling it."

"Handling it?" Estelle's voice cracked with emotion as she glared at Celeste. "You didn't handle anything, Celeste! You stood there and let her act like she owns you, and now I'm supposed to just believe that she means nothing to you? How can I trust that?"

Celeste's jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with frustration as she took a step closer to Estelle, her presence overwhelming. "You think I'm still involved with her? After everything I've done to show you how much I care about you? You think I'd lie to you like that?"

Estelle's breath hitched, her emotions spiraling out of control. "I don't know what to think! These pictures, the messages—everything feels like it's spinning out of control, and I don't know what's real anymore!"

Celeste's eyes softened, but her voice remained firm. "Estelle, look at me. I'm not lying to you. Sabrina is trying to mess with you, trying to make you doubt everything because she wants to hurt you. She doesn't want to see you happy with me. That's all this is."

Estelle swallowed hard, her mind racing. She wanted to believe Celeste, but the doubt had already taken root, gnawing at her insides. "Then why is she doing this? Why does she still have so much power over you? If she means nothing, why hasn't she backed off?"

Celeste let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. "Because Sabrina is obsessed with control. "Like you " Estelle says. Celeste sigh's She can't stand the fact that I've moved on, that I've found someone who actually matters to me. She's trying to make you feel insecure because it's the only way she knows how to maintain control."

Estelle shook her head, her voice trembling with the weight of everything that had been building up inside her. "And you just let her play these games. You let her come between us without even realizing it."

Celeste's eyes blazed with determination as she stepped closer, her hand reaching out to grip Estelle's arm. "She's not coming between us, Estelle. Not unless you let her."

Estelle's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing as Celeste's intensity washed over her. "I just—how am I supposed to move past this when I keep getting these reminders of your history with her? It feels like she's still in your life, and I don't know if I can compete with that."

Celeste's gaze softened, and she took Estelle's face in her hands, her voice low and steady. "You don't have to compete with anyone, Estelle. You're the one I want. You're the one I'm with. Sabrina can try to play her games, but at the end of the day, she's in the past. You're my present. You're my future."

Tears welled up in Estelle's eyes as she stared into Celeste's eyes, trying to find the truth in her words. She wanted to believe it—wanted to trust that Celeste meant every word. But the fear, the insecurity, was still there, gnawing at the edges of her heart.

"I don't want to feel like this anymore," Estelle whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't want to feel like I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Celeste's grip tightened, her voice filled with determination. "Then trust me, Estelle. Trust that I'm done with Sabrina. Trust that you're the only one who matters."

For a long moment, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of their breathing, the weight of the argument still heavy between them. Estelle's heart was pounding, her emotions raw and exposed, but as she looked into Celeste's eyes, she saw something—something real, something that made her want to believe.

"I'm trying," Estelle whispered, her voice barely audible.

Celeste's hands moved down to Estelle's waist, pulling her closer as she leaned in, her voice soft but firm. "Then keep trying. Because I'm not going anywhere. Not for Sabrina, not for anyone."

Estelle closed her eyes, her heart aching with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. She didn't know what the future held, but in that moment, wrapped in Celeste's arms, she let herself believe—just for a little while—that things could be okay.