Chapter 448
In the following days , Celeste remained as busy as ever .
She left early and came home late every day , even though Jordyn had been staying with the Rodriguez family , the mother and daughter didn’t actually spend much time together .
Trevor , though also busy with work , reportedly called Jordyn almost every day .
However , Celeste was never around during those calls , so she didn’t know what the father and daughter talked about .
Jordyn’s birthday was on Friday .
Perhaps due to Trevor having always given her enough love and attention , when she found out he likely wouldn’t be able to make it back in time for her birthday , she wasn’t too upset .
Instead , she hugged Celeste’s arm and said , “ It’s okay . As long as Mom is with me on my birthday , that’s enough . ”
When she later found out that Celeste was really busy and might only have time to cook her a bowl of her favorite soup and give her a gift on her birthday , Jordyn did feel a little disappointed . ( 4 )
It had been a long time since she’d had one of Celeste’s homemade cakes .
She missed them . She had assumed that , at the very least , Celeste would make her a cake . 6
But over the past few days , seeing how busy Celeste had been at the Rodriguez residence , she didn’t throw a tantrum or make any demands .
She simply said , “ Okay , I understand … ”
Celeste was truly swamped lately .
Whether it was with YodaVision , Fleming Group , or Velotra there had been an endless stream of matters needing her attention .
She’d been working overtime late into the night every day – there really was no time to spare . 2
It was Jordyn’s birthday after all . She had given birth to her . So , no matter what , she had a responsibility .
Even though she and Trevor hadn’t officially divorced yet , she had already started stepping back from parenting
duties . 19
That in itself was already somewhat irresponsible . 2
But , now …
Thinking of this , Celeste said , “ If I get off work early tomorrow , I’ll make you a cake . ” 1
Jordyn beamed . “ Yay ! Thank you , Mom ! ”
However , by Thursday , Celeste was so busy she completely lost track of time .
By the time she finished everything and snapped back to reality , it was already around three in the morning .
After returning home and washing up , it was already 5:00 am . And she had a meeting at Velotra scheduled for a bit past 9-
There was simply no time to make a cake …
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She only managed to cook a bowl of Jordyn’s favorite soup and hand her the birthday gift before rushing off to her meeting at Velotra .
By the time her workday ended , it was already past 9:00 pm
Celeste checked the time . Thinking about how she had barely exchanged a word with Jordyn that morning before rushing out , a flicker of guilt crossed her face .
Matthias noticed the shift in her expression and asked , “ What’s wrong ? ”
“ Today is Jordyn’s birthday . ”
Matthias could understand Celeste’s complicated feelings toward her daughter . And he knew that no matter what , she hadn’t truly let go . ( 1 )
Seeing how Celeste had been busy all day without even managing to make a phone call home , he checked the time and said , “ There’s still time . If you go back now , you can still keep her company . ”
Celeste hummed a response .
Then , she left the office and drove straight home .
When she arrived , Betty was still awake .
Seeing her return , the elderly woman softly said , “ You were gone all day , and Trevor didn’t call either . Jordyn hasn’t been very cheerful today . ” 2
Celeste was momentarily stunned . She hadn’t expected that Trevor hadn’t called all day .
Betty sighed and gently patted her hand . “ She’s still awake . Go spend some time with her . ”
Celeste nodded and went upstairs .
Upstairs , Jordyn was lying on her bed reading a comic book
Seeing Celeste return , she glanced up and greeted her flatly “ Mom , you’re back . ”
“ Mm . ” Celeste set down her bag and paused for a couple of seconds before walking over to her . “ Sorry . I’ve been busy with work , so … ”
“ I know . ” Jordyn looked up at her . “ Mom , I understand . ”
She seemed very mature , but Celeste knew she was genuinely upset . When Jordyn was truly happy , she loved to act spoiled with her .
In the past , when Jordyn was upset , Celeste had all kinds of ways to coax her into a smile . But now , standing there watching her , she suddenly didn’t know what to say or do to comfort her . 2
Only now did Celeste realize that even though things between them seemed normal on the surface , there was already a distance growing between them . 9
Just then , Jordyn’s phone suddenly rang . She glanced down and saw that the caller was “ Dad . ”
She didn’t look particularly happy , but she still answered the call quickly , though her tone was a bit cold . “ Hello ? ”
On the other end , Trevor smiled and said , “ Jordyn , happy birthday . ”
Still flipping through her book , Jordyn responded flatly , “ Okay . ”
Trevor seemed to sense she was upset , but he didn’t sound surprised . “ You’re mad , huh ? ”
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Jordyn pouted silently and didn’t respond .
“ Sorry , ” he said . “ I was on the plane earlier and couldn’t make any calls , so … ”
Still , she said nothing .
Then , Trevor chuckled softly and said , “ I’m actually outside Granny’s neighborhood right now , Jordyn , you- ”
At those words , Jordyn jumped up from the bed . “ Dad , you’re back ? You’re not lying to me , are you ? ”
Trevor’s voice still carried a smile . “ Mm , I came back just to spend your birthday with you . It’s only a bit past ten . So , I’m still on time . ” ( 73