The atmosphere in the grand hall was electric, with whispers filling the air like a rising tide. Many people were shocked to see the Knight family talking with Celestina, their faces full of warmth and familiarity. This wasn't what anyone expected. For years, people assumed that the Knights and the Costas were distant, almost strangers to one another. Yet here they were, mingling like old friends—or perhaps, something more.
Even Zavid, the ever-watchful host of the evening, had invited the Knights to this grand event. It raised eyebrows, though few dared to ask questions directly. After all, Zavid was a man of mystery, and his actions were rarely questioned. His reasons for extending an invitation to the Knights were unclear, but the sight of them together with Celestina stirred something in everyone's minds. A subtle realization began to dawn: the young madam of the Costas wasn't as simple as she appeared.
Celestina herself stood in the middle of it all, battling an internal storm. How was she supposed to address Mr. Knight? Should she call him "father," or would "Mr. Knight" suffice? The thought of referring to him as "dad" felt foreign, almost unnatural, though something deep within her yearned to do so. She stole a glance at him, searching his expression for clues. To her surprise, Dimitri Knight seemed just as conflicted. His usually composed demeanor faltered ever so slightly, revealing a vulnerability she had not seen before.
Zoe Knight, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. A subtle gesture from her—just a tilt of her head and a slight nudge—broke the silent tension. Dimitri Knight nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes softening as if silently assuring her that it was okay.
Taking a deep breath, Celestina turned to the rest of the family. She introduced the Knights to the Costas with a smile that masked her inner turmoil. As the two families exchanged pleasantries, a surprising thing happened—they hit it off. The Knights and the Costas found common ground quickly, laughing and sharing stories as though they had known each other for years.
But not everyone in the room was pleased. In one corner of the hall, Celestina's mother stood, her face a mask of barely contained fury. The sight of her daughter speaking so warmly with the Knights was enough to ignite a fire of rage within her. The Davis family, close allies of Celestina's mother, were equally furious. Their whispers grew louder, their discontent palpable.
"What is she doing?" one of the Davis women hissed.
"She's ruining everything," another added, clenching her glass so tightly it threatened to shatter.
The mother's eyes burned with anger, her plans unraveling before her very eyes. She had worked tirelessly to control Celestina's life, to ensure that every choice Celestina made benefited the Davis family. Yet here Celestina was, forging connections with the Knights, a family her mother had long viewed as a threat.
Celestina, oblivious to the storm brewing in the corner, focused on the moment. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt lighter, as though the weight she had carried for years was beginning to lift. The Knights might not have been a part of her life before, but standing there with them now, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time—hope.
Little did anyone know, this night would mark the beginning of a shift in power. The Davis family's simmering rage, the Knights' unexpected presence, and Celestina's quiet defiance of her mother's expectations were all pieces of a larger puzzle. And while the guests in the hall laughed and mingled, none could predict the storm that was about to descend upon them all.
For Celestina, this was more than just a party—it was the start of a new chapter, one where she would no longer be a pawn in her mother's games. She was determined to write her own story, even if it meant standing against those who had controlled her for so long.
The balcony was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The stars above twinkled like tiny diamonds scattered across a velvet sky. Celestina and Mr. Knight stood side by side, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. The cool night air wrapped around them, providing a stark contrast to the warmth of the party happening inside. Yet, for Celestina, the noise of the party seemed distant, as though it existed in another world entirely.
She stole a glance at him, her supposed father, Dimitri Knight. His face was calm, but his hands resting on the railing betrayed his nerves. She wasn't the only one struggling to find the right words.
Mr. Knight cleared his throat awkwardly, breaking the silence. Celestina turned to him, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see the same hesitation in his eyes that she felt within herself.
"So… Mr. Kn..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
Before she could finish, Dimitri interrupted gently, his voice warm but firm.
"Call me Dad."
The words hung in the air between them, simple yet profound. Celestina's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to say it so openly, so naturally, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"How… how did you find out?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"I guess I wasn't the only curious one," he said with a small chuckle, his eyes twinkling with mirth.
Celestina couldn't help but smile, though her emotions were a whirlwind. She turned her gaze back to the stars, trying to steady herself.
"Dad… dad," she said softly, almost as if testing the word. "Now I have one."
Her voice cracked, and Dimitri's expression shifted. A frown formed on his face as he studied her. He could sense the pain in her words. It wasn't just about calling him her father—it was about everything she had lost, everything she had endured.
When Mr. Knight heard her whisper this, he felt a pang of guilt and sadness. What kind of life had she lived before this moment? What kind of father had she known before him? He wanted to ask but hesitated, unsure if now was the right time.
"Fayre… you don't mind me calling you that, right?" she asked suddenly, her voice breaking his train of thought.
"Not really," he replied with a soft smile. "You can call me whatever you want."
A small laugh escaped Celestina's lips, though her mind was far from lighthearted.
"When did you find out that Kevin wasn't my father?" she asked, her tone now more serious.
Dimitri hesitated. He wanted to answer, but he also wanted to tread carefully. "It wasn't easy to put the pieces together," he admitted finally. "But when I did, I knew I had to find you."
Celestina nodded, her thoughts drifting to her own memories.
Memories flashed through her mind like a film reel, vivid and raw. She remembered being thirteen, the moment everything changed. It was her nanny who had pieced it all together, her nanny who had protected her and guided her. Without her, Celestina wasn't sure she would have survived.
"If it wasn't for my nanny," Celestina whispered, almost to herself, "I wouldn't be who I am today."
Her words hung heavy in the air, and Dimitri felt his heart ache for his daughter. He had missed so much of her life, and now he could see just how much strength she had needed to get through it all.
For a moment, they stood in silence again, the stars above witnessing the fragile bond beginning to form between them. It wasn't perfect, and it wouldn't erase the years they had lost, but it was a start.
Dimitri reached out, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "I may not have been there before, but I'm here now," he said softly. "And I'm not going anywhere."
The words were simple, but to Celestina, they meant everything.
"I don't know how to explain it, but maybe one day I'll say it."
He nodded understandingly when he noticed that I didn't want to talk about it. The silence stretched between us for a moment, heavy with unspoken words and lingering doubts.
"So, I know I've not been there for you as a good and loving father. But I hope you'll give me a chance." He looked nervous, his eyes flickering with a mixture of hope and fear. "If this news is to get out, then no one would believe it."
I looked at him, trying to process everything—the years of silence, the gaps in our relationship, the stories I'd never heard. It was hard to reconcile the man in front of me with the father I'd imagined, but beneath the nervousness, I saw something genuine.
"Em, dad, can I call you that?" I asked softly, testing the waters.
He hesitated briefly, then nodded, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Of course."
He answered with a huge smile, a warmth I hadn't expected to see after all these years. "I was used to doing everything on my own. Even when I fell, there was no one by my side. But I know you guys meant nothing but the best. It will be somehow difficult getting used to you all, but I'm sure I can, we can do it."
Then he reached out and gave me a firm, reassuring hug. It was a little awkward, but genuine—an unspoken promise that he was willing to try.
Now, I have the Costas and the Knights as my family. They've welcomed me with open arms, their loyalty and love filling the gaps I never knew I was missing. I feel stronger with them behind me, and I can't help but think of the Davis—the ones who've always looked down on me, who've tried to manipulate and undermine.
I'll like to see how the Davises will dare to go against me now. They've underestimated what I'm capable of when I have my new family backing me.
"Dad," I whispered to myself, feeling a newfound resolve settle in. This was just the beginning. I was ready to face whatever came next—because I had my family, and I had myself. And that was all I needed.