Chapter 8 - Celeste’s Final Performance
Two weeks after the crash, Celeste requested a meeting.
Her attorney described it as an opportunity for reconciliation.
Harper agreed only after Lydia arranged for the conversation to take place in a monitored conference room at Northstar Medical Center.
Celeste entered wearing a plain gray dress. Without her jewelry and carefully arranged social setting, she appeared smaller.
She sat across from Harper.
“I am your mother.”
Harper said nothing.
“I know you believe I failed you.”
“You ordered a doctor to stop saving me.”
“I was frightened for Connor.”
“You called me a burden.”
Celeste’s eyes filled with tears.
“Parents say terrible things when they are under pressure.”
“You were not under pressure when you entered the garage.”
Celeste looked toward the camera in the corner.
“Victor told me no one would be seriously hurt.”
“You heard the mechanic say I could die.”
“I did not believe him.”
“You discussed what Connor would inherit after my death.”
Celeste’s performance began to break.
“You had everything. Connor had nothing.”
“Connor had your love.”
“You had your grandmother’s fortune.”
“I did not know that until she was dying.”
“You kept it from us.”
“Because she knew what you would do.”
Celeste’s mouth tightened.
“That money belonged to the family.”
“It belonged to Grandmother. She decided where it went.”
“She turned you against us.”
“No. She taught me to watch you.”
Celeste leaned forward.
“We can still fix this. Withdraw your statement. Tell the police Victor acted alone. I will testify against him.”
“You approved the plan.”
“I am still your mother.”
Harper stood.
“That sentence used to control me.”
Celeste’s eyes widened.
“Harper, please.”
“You came here because you are losing the mansion.”
“I came because I love you.”
“The mansion is being sold to repay employee pension funds your husband misused.”
Celeste stared at her.
“You would make me homeless?”
“You own personal property and have access to legal living expenses. You will not be homeless.”
“Then what do you call this?”
“Consequences.”
Harper walked toward the door.
Behind her, Celeste’s voice became cold.
“You will regret humiliating me.”
Harper turned around.
“No, Mother. You are finally experiencing what you did to me.”
She left the room without looking back.
The recording of the meeting later became important evidence. Celeste had acknowledged being present in the garage and hearing the mechanic’s warning.
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Her attempt to manipulate Harper had strengthened the case against her.
For once, Celeste’s performance had harmed no one but herself.
