When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel)

Chapter 11 Give It Back To You

Cecilia felt a warm sensation in her right ear, as if fresh blood was trickling out. She stood frozen, unable to move.

Paula looked at her daughter, so feeble and incapable, and felt a profound sadness—not for Cecilia, but for herself.

She picked up the documents from the coffee table and handed them over to Cecilia. “Take a good look,” she said. “This is the choice I’ve made for you.”

Cecilia took the documents and read the bold title: Prenuptial Agreement.

She opened it and skimmed the contents: Ms. Cecilia Smith shall willingly marry Mr. Randy Larke, promising to care for him until old age, never to leave his side. Mr. Randy will ensure the well-being of Ms. Cecilia Smith’s family by providing three hundred million in funds to the Smith family…

Randy Larke was a seventy-eight-year-old seasoned entrepreneur from Tudela. A string in Cecilia’s mind felt as if it were wound too tightly, ready to snap.

Paula continued, “Mr. Larke has stated that he doesn’t mind this being your second marriage. As long as you marry him, he will help the Smith family rise again.”

Paula’s hopeful eyes bore into Cecilia as she stepped forward, placing a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, you wouldn’t let me and your little brother down, would you?”

Cecilia’s complexion grew increasingly pale. She clenched the agreement in her hand. “Nathaniel and I aren’t fully divorced yet,” she replied.

Paula waved off the concern. “Mr. Larke suggested that you could have the wedding ceremony first and register it afterward,” she said. “Besides, Nathaniel doesn’t love you. I respect your decision to divorce him.”

Realizing that she couldn’t salvage Cecilia’s marriage to Nathaniel, Paula had decided to heed her son’s advice—while her daughter was still young, she would maximize her worth.

Cecilia felt as though her throat was clogged with cotton. “May I ask you something?” she paused before continuing, “Am I really your biological daughter?”

Paula’s expression stiffened. The facade of her pleasant demeanor vanished as she began to chide Cecilia. “Had it not been for giving birth to you, do you think my figure would have changed? That I would have fallen from my pedestal as a world-renowned dancer? You truly disappoint me!”

Growing up, Cecilia could never understand why other mothers loved their children unconditionally, without any resentment or regret. Yet, her own mother wouldn’t spare her a shred of love.

Even now, she didn’t understand. But she had come to accept one thing—she no longer yearned for others to love her.

She carefully placed the contract aside. “I can’t agree to this,” she said.

outright refuse and was instantly infuriated. “How dare you reject me? Your life—it

if I give my life back to you, does that mean I don’t owe

aback.

pale lips parted slightly. “If I were to return my life to you, would you cease to be my mother? Would I no longer owe you

her ears and scoffed coldly. “Fine. As long as you return that life to me, I won’t force you! But

have made up her mind.

the agreement back toward Cecilia. “If you’re

the door, having overheard the conversation.

dares to die, I’ll give her credit for that! After all, she was raised by a nanny, not me. We’ve never been close. I’ve never really considered

word clearly. She rubbed her aching ears, sometimes wishing she

though her life had been a complete failure—as if she had never truly lived

to find an outlet for her emotions. That evening, she made her way to a bar. Seated in

man with strikingly attractive eyes and handsome features noticed her sitting alone and approached.

not recognizing him. Compelled by some unseen force, she asked, “Do you know what it

was puzzled.

of her drink. “The doctor told me I was sick and needed to cheer up, but… I just

Reese—felt a pang

Also, what sort of illness is she suffering from that she needs

if you’re seeking joy, this isn’t the place you should be,”

smiled at him. “You’re a

bitter smile, his

past few years? Why does she look

he had been letting loose every night, avoiding his usual routines. It had been a while since he returned

grew late and everyone was preparing to leave, Stella noticed a familiar figure in the corner. “Isn’t that Ms. Smith?”

gaze and saw a man standing in front of Cecilia,

overestimated her. So, she’s just like that after all. Who was

you want to

need,” Nathaniel replied coldly before

to escort her home. “I can manage on my own,”