barely made it into the house before her legs

e to, it was

them sting. She squinted, forcing herself to fully open them,

let out a breath he'd been holdin

hind her back, and said softly, "Don't talk yet

rced down a couple of spoonfuls under

worry too much." She tried to smil

sighed inwardly. He waited until she lo

phia's wedding, didn't you? But the news

Celestia's face froze. She silently dropped her gaze

n she didn't reply. "Celest

up, her eyes were alread

stake she couldn't even explain, Sophia's slap, the accusations

ing her fall apart. "Don't cry, sweetheart. Just tell Dad what happened. Whatever it is, I'm

n the storm passed and she could breathe again,

's brow was tightly knit, his f

a mind you couldn't read if your life depended on it. Both times they talked, he felt

daughter after a drunken night? Henry couldn't shake t

of it, dragging his thoughts

right? It was an accident, just a damn accident." Henry g

lpless love. She had always been tough, barely ever cried gr

ou two can sort this out." His voice softened. "Let h

his chest, Celes

e rest-I'll take care of it. I won't let anyone hurt you," he said with quiet determination. After

d through her tears, bar

suppress the scandal involving Celestia an

city was buzzing about this twisted triangle involving Celestia, Sophia, and Jareth. Cel

hole Brooks household was in chaos. She called Sophia every day, hoping for just one conve

cord lows. Watching more gray hairs sprout on her father's head, Celestia was riddled with guilt. But she wasn't doing

inal blow-her perio

er brain just stopped working. A full three minutes passed-she did

gna

ready two

could this b