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.

time, Magnus devoured it ravenously, barely

the girl warned.

bread tasted better than anything he'd ever eaten, better than the finest delicacies he'd once taken for

two in quick succession before she handed him water, urging

strength, Magnus looked at

sympathetic glance, she pulled out another

Only ten?

meager amount, unable

he had never even

girl caught his expression, her sympathy hardening into indignation. "Get this straight. I'm the one helping you right

up, Magnus panicked, afraid

cash. "Thank you," he

was enough for

no problem. Once you

you

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

money to spare. Her parents were both ill,

had still helped as

had regained some strength now, and with great effort, he pulled himself up, clutching the half-empty

"Could you... do me

turned. "I'm broke.

need money," Magnus said quickly. "Just...

had spent the past few days sleeping outdoors. It was too