Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 224

Celestine climbed into the back of the ambulance with Lance.

Meanwhile, Crystal Lennox and Mirabelle were taken to the police station to give their statements.

Lance was covered in blood, but the entire ride, he was unusually chatty.

“Miss Selwyn, you really shouldn’t blame yourself. Anyone in your shoes would have done the same thing.”

“My injuries just look bad. Honestly, it’s nothing serious.”

“Would you mind waiting for me till I’m done? It won’t take long, I promise.”

As the paramedics wheeled him into the ER, Lance suddenly made this request.

Celestine hesitated, unsure of his motives, but remembering how he’d stepped in to protect them, she nodded. “Alright.”

Immediately, Lance seemed to relax. He let the doctors wheel him into the examination room.

The moment the door closed, the gentle, wounded look on his face vanished.

Works every time, he thought.

Women were always soft-hearted. Especially women like Celestine, starved for affection—just a little kindness from a man, and she’d cling on for dear life.

She was so blind she didn’t even realize she was repeating exactly what happened when Chester had rescued her years ago.

Lance recalled the anxious look on her face during the ride. It put him in a very good mood.

After what Joanna had endured with the online witch hunt in Portside City, there was no way he’d let this woman walk away unscathed.

Trying to paint Joanna as the homewrecker behind Chester’s divorce? Well, two could play at that game.

A young nurse nearly jumped in fright when she saw him.

Her hands moved even more gently as she cleaned his wounds.

She quickly realized most of the blood was surface-level; Lance’s wounds were shallow, almost as if he’d arranged them himself.

“Could you please put my leg in a cast?” Lance said, clearly dissatisfied with her bandaging.

The nurse looked troubled. “Sir, your leg is only mildly bruised. There’s really no—”

Lance emerged from the ER not long after, his leg in a fresh cast, his hands wrapped in thick bandages.

Celestine’s frosty demeanor softened a fraction. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this. I’ll cover your medical bills.”

“It was my choice. Those thugs had it coming.” Lance reclined on the hospital bed, face calm and gentle. “Miss Selwyn, I have a request. Will you hear me out?”

Celestine’s gaze drifted to his cast.

“Go ahead.”

Lance hesitated, suddenly awkward. “Chester always told me what a fantastic cook you are. I’d really love to try your food.”

“Mr. Blake, Chester exaggerates. That’s simply not true,” Celestine replied flatly, shooting his story down without hesitation.

Lance gave a little laugh. “I’ll pay you—ten thousand per dish.”

Celestine frowned, considering. “Honestly, I think it’d be better if I hired a professional caregiver who can cook for you.”

Lance’s eyes grew distant, his voice turning soft. “My parents divorced when I was very young. I can barely remember my mother at all. It’s not really about the taste, you know? It’s just… a way to feel like I have a home, just for a little while. But if it’s too much trouble, Miss Selwyn, I understand.”