#Chapter 31: A New Leaf

Celeste

Blocking Matt sent a whirlwind of emotions crashing down on me. I felt a mixture of pride, sadness, and overwhelming regret.

At first, I was able to keep myself busy by cleaning the entire house from top to bottom, just as Jack ordered.

As I moved around the house, the rhythmic motions of cleaning became almost therapeutic. Jack’s words echoed in my mind, reminding me of my ‘duties’. But I wasn’t cleaning for him; it was a welcomed distraction, a physical way to keep my mind off of Matt.

The sound of the vacuum roared, drowning out my thoughts as I methodically went over the carpet. The repetitive back-and-forth motions were soothing, keeping my racing heart in check. With every swipe of the cloth over the dirty surfaces, every piece of trash picked up, and every dish scrubbed clean, I tried to erase the lingering thoughts of our last encounter.

I took particular time polishing the wooden coffee table, letting the lemony scent of the cleaner envelop me. The wood gleamed, refle