Chapter 14

Her sharp, raised voice instantly drew everyone's eyes. Celestia felt the heat rush to her face in embarrassment. Jareth watched her with a smirk, not even trying to ease the tension. Just as things were getting unbearably awkward, a cheerful voice piped up behind them. "Jareth, there you are!" He turned his head-an elegantly dressed woman was headed their way. "Mom," he greeted her politely. Hearing this, Celestia looked up curiously. So the rumors were true-Victoria Owens, the former international supermodel, was really his mother. She'd always thought it was gossip. Victoria looked great for her age, dressed simply but oozing class. Despite being over fifty, time had barely touched her. She still looked like a glamorous woman in her thirties-it was hard to believe she was the mother of a man nearly that age. After saying hello to Jareth, Victoria turned her attention to Celestia. Her gaze lingered for a few seconds before she blinked and said, "So the rumors about your marriage are actually true?" Her tone was skeptical as she looked between the two. When Jareth nodded, her expression hardened a little. "You brat. Always running wild and never telling us anything. First you almost marry the Quinn heiress without a word, and then we find out about this marriage through a newspaper? You don't think your dad and I matter at all, do you?" Jareth raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Victoria kept muttering her complaints. But when he didn't respond, she gave up with a sigh. "Oh, by the way, Isabelle's back. Did you know?" The moment she said it, Jareth froze. Celestia wasn't sure if she imagined it, but she thought she saw him flinch slightly, and for just a second, his eyes softened. "She's back? When did that happen?" he asked quickly, clearly startled. "She got back on the twelfth. No one's really seen her though," Victoria replied, shooting an almost casual glance in Celestia's direction. "After she saw the news of your wedding in the paper, she cried all day. The next morning, she vanished-just left a note saying she was coming to find you. Such a shame... she's always loved you so dearly. I really thought you two would end up together..." She stopped mid-sentence, suddenly remembering Celestia was still standing there. She offered an apologetic smile. "Oh dear, sorry, Miss Brooks. I wasn't thinking. I probably shouldn't have brought that up in front of you." "It's alright," Celestia said, shaking her head. She didn't look too bothered. They chatted a bit longer, when suddenly the air behind them stirred with a low commotion. Jareth was just about to talk to his mother about Isabelle Ryan when his eyes wandered, landing on a figure in white that made him freeze. "Isabelle." Celestia followed his gaze, curious. Then she saw her. What a stunning woman-delicate and graceful. Isabelle wore a flowing white chiffon dress that hugged her figure just right. The soft fabric fluttered with each step. Her long hair tumbled down her back like silk. She wore no makeup at all, yet her beauty outshone even the most glamorously dressed women-fresh, light, and pure. The way she walked, it felt like a butterfly gliding through the air-so out of reach, so effortless. Unsurprisingly, everyone turned to look. "You're finally here, Isabelle." Marigold, who'd been aloof all evening, visibly softened the moment she saw her. The contrast between how she treated Isabelle versus Celestia couldn't be starker. So, this was the woman Jareth's mother had always hoped he'd marry. Celestia couldn't take her eyes off Isabelle's ethereal face. Then it hit her-this was the same woman from the photo she'd glimpsed in Jareth's office that day. Even if she'd only taken a quick glance back then, she was certain it was her. Isabelle really was breathtaking. Even though she looked a bit pale and frail, it only made her more otherworldly. So much so that even Celestia, as a woman, felt a strange sense of affection toward her. She glanced up at Jareth-and saw he was completely stunned. Isabelle gave a soft little smile and said sweetly to Marigold, "Grandma, happy birthday. I got you something." She held out an elegant gift box. "You're always the most thoughtful," Marigold said warmly as she accepted it. Her eyes then slid-deliberately-to Celestia standing off to the side. Getting caught in that glance, Celestia felt the awkwardness return to smack her right in the face. Wait-was today Marigold's birthday? Celestia honestly hadn't even realized. After exchanging pleasantries with Marigold and Victoria, Isabelle finally turned her gaze to Jareth, who hadn't stopped watching her since she walked in. "Congratulations on your marriage, Jareth," she said with a gentle smile. But her eyes... they were filled with sorrow that hit him hard. "Isabelle..." he looked at her, a mix of emotions in his eyes. He seemed like he had a lot to say-but nothing came out. Watching the two of them, clearly lost in their own world, Celestia felt an ache in her chest, like someone had placed a stone right over her heart. It wasn't long before Isabelle looked away. "Grandma, my driver's waiting outside. I should go." "So soon? You just got here. At least stay a little while and chat with me," Marigold said, clearly reluctant to see her leave. "I really can't." Isabelle shook her head, and after saying her goodbyes, she turned and quickly walked out without looking back.