Chapter 5 - THE BABY WAS NOT A CROWNCeleste finally agreed to speak through attorneys.
Her explanation shocked Adrian because parts of it were emotionally sincere.
She had always felt like a guest in Rachel's life.
Cole Manor remained Rachel's.
The staff loved Rachel.
Lucy looked like Rachel.
The trust bore Rachel's name.
Even Adrian sometimes called the west garden “Rachel's garden.”
Celeste became pregnant.
For the first time, she believed something inside the house belonged entirely to her future.
Her child.
Then she discovered the trust.
Lucy owned the house.
Lucy owned shares.
Lucy would eventually become wealthier than Celeste had ever been.
Resentment metastasized.
She convinced herself Lucy was spoiled.
Then difficult.
Then dangerous.
Each lie made the next cruelty easier.
But money entered too.
Brightwell Youth Services belonged partly to Celeste's brother.
If Lucy entered residential care, the trust could potentially pay enormous fees.
Celeste told herself the arrangement benefited everyone.
Lucy received structure.
Brightwell received business.
Celeste gained peace.
The baby gained room.
Adrian stared at the interview transcript.
The baby gained room.
An unborn child had been transformed into justification.
He made one decision immediately.
No one would ever tell his second daughter she had replaced Lucy.
No “new heir.”
No “real family.”
No competition between sisters.
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Celeste's choices belonged to Celeste.
The baby would not inherit blame.
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