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

Chapter 13 Only Love

However, Cecilia had proven that, despite her disability, she could play the piano, dance, and sing just as well as anyone else. She was in no way inferior to those without disabilities.

These news reports had served as a beacon of hope for Calvin, helping him find the strength to pick himself up during his darkest days.

As Calvin recounted his own accomplishments, Cecilia found herself almost forgetting the person she had once been.

After Calvin escorted her to her place of residence, Cecilia offered him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I almost forgot who I used to be.”

Calvin, noticing her fragility, took her out for a meal. Throughout the day, he considerately avoided asking about what had transpired after Cecilia’s marriage.

After settling into her new place, Cecilia realized there were only a few days left until mid-May, the day she and Nathaniel had agreed to finalize their divorce.

Reflecting on the promise she had made to Paula, she journeyed to the graveyard one morning.

She first visited her father’s tombstone. Gazing at the kind image of her father in the photograph, a roughness caught in Cecilia’s throat. “Dad, I miss you so much.”

A gentle breeze softly caressed Cecilia’s cheek, bringing a bittersweet sting to her nose. “Dad, you’d be mad at me if I came to see you, wouldn’t you?” she whispered.

She reached out, gently removing the fallen leaves from the tombstone, one by one. “I know I should be strong, but… I’m sorry…”

After standing in front of the tombstone for a considerable time, Cecilia finally decided to leave.

Before heading back, she bought an urn and visited a photography studio. Under the curious gazes of the staff, she had a black-and-white photo taken.

On the way back, she stared out the car window, lost in thought. Her phone rang, breaking her reverie—it was Martha.

“How have you been lately, Ceci?” Martha’s gentle voice asked.

Cecilia forced a smile. “I’ve been doing well.”

Martha sighed in relief but then scolded her lightly, “Who told you to sneakily give me money? I didn’t use it—I saved it for you. If you ever want to start a business or something…”

Martha money in secret. Martha, being

to Martha’s concerned nagging, tears unwittingly

like you used to when I was little?” Cecilia

“On the fifteenth, I’d like you to take me

then, she agreed. “All right, on the

to come in for

glanced at her account, noting she still had over a hundred thousand left—money she planned to leave

days in Tudela had been

visited her and noticed that her hearing impairment had worsened. Often, when he knocked on her door, she wouldn’t hear him. Occasionally, when he

river. Do you want to go see them in two days?” Calvin

took Cecilia a moment to respond.

Tudela, it was a tradition to have fireworks by the riverside every Saturday. It was

she got married, Cecilia had once tried to see the fireworks with Nathaniel, but

Cecilia and Calvin went to

Boom!

up the sky, their beauty vanishing

in her eyes. “Calvin,

truly happy. “I’ll be staying in

didn’t agree because she knew she couldn’t make

to walk

she caught a glimpse of Nathaniel. As the people drew closer, she realized

others for Nathaniel. Whenever she saw someone who even slightly

change, she noticed an entertainment news segment on a large screen across the street. The

you mentioned that this time you returned to win back your first love.

nor denied it. Instead, she said, “At eight o’clock tonight, he

announcement of their relationship. As Cecilia crossed the street, a song

my entire life, I’ve only ever loved Nathaniel. How

afternoon ten years ago when she returned home alone. She saw Nathaniel

how, back in school, after she had been bullied, Nathaniel’s intervention felt like divine intervention. There were