The morning sunlight streamed through the tall French windows of the Rosenfield mansion, painting soft gold patterns across the marble floor. Celine sat quietly in the main living room, a porcelain cup of chamomile tea warming her palms. It was one of those calm mornings she cherished—where time felt gentle, predictable.
Until the front door burst open.
"Celine!"
Sadie stormed in like a hurricane, her eyes blazing.
Celine looked up, startled. "Sadie? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Sadie shot back, pacing furiously. "You do know that Dean's back, right?!"
Celine's breath caught. The teacup trembled slightly in her hand.
Dean… back? He hadn't told her. No call. No message. Nothing.
Her heart twisted, but she forced a smile, trying to sound composed. "Of course I know. He told me he wanted to surprise everyone."
Sadie narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "Really? Then why weren't you at the airport to pick him up? Everyone knows he arrived yesterday. And knowing you, you'd be throwing confetti before the plane even landed."
Celine laughed weakly. "He… he told me to wait. Said he wanted to handle things first before I saw him."
Sadie's expression softened. She sighed, walking over to give her a hug. "Oh, honey. It's okay. Maybe he's just overwhelmed. Give him a call later, alright?"
Celine nodded, eyes glistening. Sadie gave her a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. "You really are built differently when it comes to love," she teased gently, kissing Celine's cheek before heading out.
"Thanks, Die… for sticking with me," Celine whispered as Sadie winked and left.
The moment the door closed, Celine's composure broke. She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, tears threatening to spill. Something felt wrong—but she couldn't bring herself to believe it. Not until she spoke to him.
With a deep breath, she grabbed her phone and called Dean.
He answered on the third ring, his tone light and casual. "Hey, babe!"
"Dean, you're back in town? Why didn't you tell me?" Her voice wavered despite her best efforts to sound calm.
"Oh, that?" he chuckled, completely unfazed. "I wanted to surprise you! But I guess Sadie ruined it, huh? That girl never changes. Anyway, I've been super busy—family stuff, business stuff—you know how it is."
Celine blinked through tears. "You should've told me. I could've prepared a welcome party."
"Perfect," Dean said smoothly. "Why don't you?"
Celine straightened up, wiping her eyes. "I will."
When the call ended, she convinced herself it was fine. Maybe she was overreacting. He was home now. Everything would go back to normal. Maybe—just maybe—he'd even propose.
⸻
Over the next few days, the Rosenfield mansion came alive with preparations. Celine decided on an elegant afternoon tea party—a soft, romantic welcome for Dean. She enlisted Sadie, her mother Lauren, and her assistant Letty to help plan everything.
Even Dinah Carter, Dean's mother, called to suggest inviting a few of her friends from the press. At first, Celine's parents were hesitant. "Publicity isn't necessary," her father argued. But Celine, ever hopeful, convinced them it would be good for both families' image.
On the morning of the party, the house buzzed with energy. Staff hurried about arranging floral centerpieces, delicate pastries, and silver trays of tea sandwiches. Upstairs, Celine stood in her room, staring at two dresses laid across her bed—a soft pink one and a sunny yellow one.
"I can't decide," she muttered.
Sadie appeared in the doorway, looking stunning in a blue floral midi dress. "Girl, you'd look amazing in either. Just pick one!"
Moments later, Lauren entered, elegant as ever. "Are you still not ready? Guests will be here in less than an hour!"
"I'm almost done, Mom," Celine smiled nervously. Letty hurried back and forth behind them, checking with vendors and updating Celine on last-minute details.
A knock interrupted the chaos. Carl peeked in, wearing a playful grin. "Good morning, pretty people!"
Everyone turned to look at him, the room falling awkwardly silent.
"Uh—I just came to borrow that book you recommended, Celine."
"Oh!" She quickly grabbed the book from her shelf and followed him into the hall. Once they were alone, Carl lowered his voice. "Actually, I need your opinion. There's an offer for renovations on our historic properties downtown. The payout's huge, but something feels off."
Without hesitation, Celine replied, "Turn it down. The public will think we're erasing history for profit. Offer them a deal in one of our underdeveloped sites instead—and make sure to highlight community impact."
Carl grinned. "See? You should be running this company."
Footsteps echoed down the hall—their mother. Carl straightened immediately. "Dad, let's go!" he called out, dashing down the stairs.
Their father stepped out from his study, kissed Lauren's cheek, and smiled at Celine. "You'll look beautiful in yellow. It'll make you glow."
Celine smiled softly. "Yellow it is."
⸻
By noon, the party was in full swing. The garden glittered under the sun—long tables dressed in lace, soft pink roses, and fine china. The air smelled faintly of jasmine and Earl Grey.
Celine arrived looking ethereal in her golden-yellow jacquard midi dress, her jewelry simple and elegant, her champagne-colored heels glinting under the light. Guests turned to admire her as she moved gracefully from table to table, making sure everything was perfect.
Then came a ripple of murmurs.
A woman had arrived—someone unfamiliar. She was stunning, exuding an effortless elegance that immediately drew eyes. And on her hand, a diamond ring sparkled.
Sadie leaned in. "Do you know her?"
Celine glanced over. "No… I've never seen her before. Maybe a friend of Dean's?"
Sadie frowned. "You should go say hi."
"I will," Celine murmured, distracted, still checking the table settings. So Sadie went instead.
"Hi there! I'm Sadie," she greeted.
The woman smiled. "Denise. Denise Moran." She extended her hand gracefully—just as Dinah Carter appeared, lighting up at the sight of her.
"Oh, darling! You made it!" Dinah exclaimed, kissing Denise's cheek before turning to introduce her to the other guests.
Celine froze where she stood, her heart dropping. She set down the tray she was holding and walked over, trying to mask her unease.
"Mrs. Carter, hi!" she greeted warmly.
Before Dinah could respond, a familiar voice rose behind her.
Dean.
Celine turned, eyes brightening—only to see Denise rush forward, throwing her arms around him.
And then… she kissed him.
Gasps rippled through the garden. The world around Celine blurred. She heard voices, cameras flashing, people whispering—but everything felt distant, muffled.
Dean said something—his lips moving—but her mind refused to register the words.
Engaged.
That was the only one that broke through.
He was breaking up with her.
In public.
At her own party.
Her body went cold. The crowd, the press, even her mother's horrified face—all of it melted into a dizzying blur.
Celine's knees gave out, and she sank to the ground, the soft rustle of her yellow dress folding beneath her. Her hands trembled as she looked up at him—at the man she had loved, the one she had built her whole life around.
Her voice barely came out, a fragile whisper swallowed by the chaos around her.
"Why…?"
Dean didn't answer. Cameras clicked. Letty shouted for security. Lauren rushed to her daughter's side, horrified.
But Celine just stared ahead, tears streaming down her face, her body numb.
In that moment, surrounded by shattered promises and flashing lights, she felt her world collapse—quietly, completely.
Everything she had been raised to be, everything she had lived for, crumbled into dust.