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

Chapter 1961

Chapter 1961 Plain Bread

"I'm so hungry... so hungry," Magnus murmured weakly. Pride or dignity no longer mattered anymore. All he could think of was the gnawing void in his stomach.

The girl studied him and thought he didn't seem like a liar. She made a decision. "All right. Stay here. I'll get you something."

She slipped free of his grasp and hurried toward the glow of the convenience store down the street. Cheap, plastic-wrapped bread was on sale. She grabbed four without thinking. When she returned, she thrust them toward Magnus. "Here. Eat."

But instead of gratitude, his face twisted. The bread sat in his palm like lumps of clay, their doughy smell cloying and stale. Even hunger couldn't override years of ingrained disgust.

"Eat up,"

," she urged, pressing one to his lips. "Aren't you starving?"

Magnus swallowed hard. His stomach screamed yes, but his throat closed around the word.

"Is there anything else?" he asked weakly.

The girl's expression darkened in an instant. "Seems like you're not hungry enough," she said, voice edged with irritation. "I really shouldn't have meddled."

She started to tuck the bread back into the bag, turning to leave.

Panicked, Magnus grabbed the hem of her pants. "Fine... I'll eat..." he choked out. The hunger was unbearable now.

Relenting, the girl brought the bread back to his lips.

it ravenously,

down," the girl

surprise, the plain bread tasted better than anything he'd ever eaten, better than the

him water, urging him to drink. Then, without

of strength, Magnus looked at the girl

circle back, after all." With a sympathetic glance, she pulled out another

Only ten?

stared at the meager amount, unable to hide

he had never even held

her sympathy hardening into indignation. "Get this straight. I'm the one helping you right

flare up, Magnus panicked, afraid she might

you," he said again, though the

enough

no problem. Once

strength, you

a capable man, after all. How did you end updike this?" The girl left after

spare. Her parents were both ill, requiring expensive

still helped as much as she

he

he called hoarsely. "Could you... do

broke. I can't

need money," Magnus said quickly. "Just... shelter for one

few days sleeping outdoors. It was too