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…”

in secret. Martha, being a simple country woman, had saved

Martha’s concerned nagging,

could you pick me up and take me home like you used to when

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

she agreed. “All right, on the fifteenth, I will come

come in for a follow-up check. She had

her account, noting she still had over a hundred thousand left—money she planned

past few days in Tudela

hearing impairment had worsened. Often, when he knocked on her door, she wouldn’t hear him. Occasionally, when he spoke, she had to focus on the shape of his lips

to be fireworks by the river. Do you want

took Cecilia a moment to

riverside every Saturday. It was

once tried to see the fireworks with Nathaniel, but he had coldly rejected her. Despite having

Calvin went to watch the eight o’clock

Boom!

dazzling fireworks lit up the sky, their beauty vanishing

tears brimming in her eyes. “Calvin, thank you. I

sensed that she wasn’t truly happy. “I’ll

knew

declined Calvin’s offer to walk her home, choosing instead to walk alone

the crowd, Cecilia thought she caught a glimpse of Nathaniel.

since they parted ways, she had often mistaken others for Nathaniel. Whenever she saw

to change, she noticed an entertainment news

time you returned to win back your first

Instead, she said, “At eight o’clock tonight, he and I watched the

As Cecilia crossed the street, a song

ever loved Nathaniel. How did I come to

afternoon ten years ago when she returned home alone. She saw Nathaniel from next door, wearing a

Nathaniel’s intervention felt like divine intervention. There were times when their parents teased them, saying that when they grew up,