Bound by love: Marrying my Disabled Husband

Chapter 1523:

Struggling to maintain composure, she ventured, “I thought this was meant to be a family affair? What brings Cody here—and those two as well?”

Her finger jabbed first at Gavin, then at Elyse.

With unwavering confidence, Freda announced, “Mrs. Griffin, allow me to properly introduce Gavin Cramer, my boyfriend.”

Before Celeste could interject, Freda quickly added, “Marriage is on our horizon—if all proceeds as planned, I’ll soon be his wife.”

Then she continued, “And Cody is my boyfriend’s mentor. Elyse is his friend, and Jayden… well, he’s rather inconsequential.”

Celeste’s polished smile began to crack. “But a family gathering…”

Freda smiled warmly. “Indeed, they’re all part of my future extended family. Mrs. Griffin, you simply must get acquainted.”

Believing Freda ignorant of her history with Cody, Celeste maintained her composure. “I apologize, Freda, but urgent matters require my attention. I’ll have to skip today’s gathering.”

Before Freda could protest, Cody interjected smoothly, “Ms. Griffin, it’s been quite a while. Perhaps we could have a word?”

Her expression soured instantly. “What could we possibly have to discuss? Your apprentice orchestrated this entire meeting, didn’t he? Cody, don’t take me for a fool.”

Cody replied, “Ms. Griffin, time has painted us both with silver strands. The years have carved their paths across our faces. Can’t we, in the autumn of our lives, speak as equals who’ve weathered the same storms?”

Disdain etched across Celeste’s features. “Your presence turns my stomach. Take your disciples and vanish. Remember my influence in this industry. Cross me, and I’ll ensure your disciples never find a stage in Lesbourg.”

After saying that, Celeste cast a cold glance at Elyse. Her glacial stare pierced Elyse, making her shrink back.

Jayden moved swiftly, positioning himself as a shield between them. Celeste’s lip curled as she withdrew her icy gaze. “Have I made myself clear? If you did, don’t block my way!”

Cody remained unmoved. “Ms. Griffin, I was wrong back then.”

She faltered, words catching. “What… did you say?”noveldrama

Cody’s gaze was calm as he said, “You were right all along. Rickey and I should have heeded your wisdom instead of blindly trusting our own judgment.”

Celeste stood motionless, her lips parted in disbelief.

The notion of Cody apologizing had never crossed her mind in all these years.

“I never thought I’d live to see the day you apologized to me,” she breathed, her expression a tapestry of warring emotions.

A bitter smile graced Cody’s lips. “I’ve wanted to apologize for a long time, but so many things happened afterward. Perhaps it was my success that kept battling with my desire to apologize.”

Celeste’s penetrating gaze fixed on Cody, carrying weight in its inscrutability. Time seemed to pause as her eyes swept across the sea of shocked faces before returning to lock with his.

The air crackled with tension until her decision crystallized. She would allow him this moment—one chance to unravel the tangles of the past. With the grace of a dancer, she beckoned him toward Freda’s moonlit backyard.

“What just happened there?” Elyse whispered to Gavin, watching the pair disappear into the night.

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