Chapter 211

"The baby's gone. I’m not asking you to forgive me right now… I just hope you’ll give me a chance, okay?" Jareth Carrington’s voice was serious and sincere, the kind that makes it hard to flat-out reject someone, no matter what they’ve done. Celestia Brooks almost gave in—really, she almost nodded. But her head stayed clear enough to stop her. She forced a smile. "A chance for what? So you can ease your guilt?" Her tone was sharp with sarcasm. She was secretly glad she couldn’t see the look on his face—maybe that way, she wouldn’t waver. She thought someone like Jareth, always so arrogant, would deny it. But to her surprise, he admitted it straight out. "Yeah." Just one word, firm and clear. It hit Celestia like a slap. She froze. Whatever she was about to say just got stuck in her throat. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. After a long pause, she whispered under her breath, "Why... why... why..." Her voice started to shake, the same words looping over and over, like she couldn’t