Chapter 647
Celine arrived at the restaurant with Bella, and before long, Hailey showed up.
Three years had passed, but Hailey hadn’t changed much. Her sleek black hair flowed effortlessly over her shoulders, and her delicate oval face was bright and full of warmth. She had the undeniable grace of a woman born into privilege.
“Celine! Bella!” Hailey called out excitedly as she ran over.
Celine and Hailey embraced tightly.
Bella giggled. “Wow, Hailey is even prettier than the last time I saw her!”
Hailey crouched down and planted a cheerful kiss on Bella’s cheek. “Bella, I’m
your Auntie Hailey! You can’t just call me by my name-you have to call me Auntie Hailey!”
Bella grinned mischievously. “You’re so pretty! If we walk together, people will think you’re my elder sister!”
Hailey laughed. “You little charmer! That sweet mouth of yours is going to spoil me. Look what I brought you!”
She pulled out a delicate diamond bracelet and carefully fastened it around Bella’s tiny wrist.
Celine raised a brow. “Hailey, this must’ve cost a fortune. Bella’s still a kid- there’s no need for such an expensive gift.”
Hailey waved her off. “Celine, only the best for our Bella! Plus, I designed this myself.”
Over the past three years, Hailey had become a well-known designer and launched her own studio. Her life was flourishing.
Bella’s eyes sparkled as she admired the bracelet. “Wow, it’s so pretty! I love it! Thank you, Hailey!”
She leaned forward and gave Hailey a big kiss.
Hailey was completely smitten. She scooped Bella up and turned to Celine. “Celine, I already reserved a table. Let’s eat!”
Celine smiled. “Sounds good.”
After the three of them settled in, Celine said, “Hailey, it looks like you’ve been doing well these past few years. That makes me happy.”
Three years ago, Hailey and Declan had broken up abruptly. After that, Declan vanished without a trace. Celine had been worried that Hailey wouldn’t be able to move on.
Hailey scoffed. “Celine, don’t
underestimate me! Who says
women need a man to survive? If anything, we should thrive on our
own so no one ever dares to look down on us.”
Both of them had done exactly that. They weren’t the kind of women who faded
into the background.
Celine lifted her glass. “You’re right. Cheers!”
Their glasses clinked.
Celine then asked, “By the way, Hailey, where’s Aileen? You should’ve brought her along.”
Celine had always liked Declan’s younger sister, Aileen.
At the mention of Aileen, pride lit up on Hailey’s face. “I wanted to, but she’s been busy. She made it into the national research team and working on a classified rocket
elmet
launch project. She only comes home once every two weeks.”
Celine smiled. “Aileen’s working on rocket launches now? That’s amazing! But
let’s be real her success wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
Aileen had always been exceptional, but for the past three years, Hailey had been taking care of her. Things were naturally different now that Aileen had officially been adopted into the Lambert family.
“Aileen is my sister. I’m so proud of her,” Hailey said warmly.
Celine watched her for a moment, then asked, “Hailey, has Declan not come back at all these past three years?”
At the mention of his name, Hailey froze for a split second. Her lashes fluttered slightly before she met Celine’s gaze. “No, he hasn’t.”
“That’s strange,” Celine mused. “No matter what, Aileen is still his sister. Has he really not come back even once to see her?”