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

Chapter 2020 Winter Doubts

A frigid wind howled across the yard, and snowflakes drifted down in thick, steady sheets.

Charlotte stared up at the sky, the usual sparkle gone from her eyes, her expression distant and hollow.

Cecilia stepped up beside her and called softly, “Lottie.”

Charlotte blinked back to herself and turned toward her friend.

“Boss, what's up? Are the dumplings done already?”

Cecilia sighed. “They've only just gone into the pot. They're nowhere near ready."

"Oh."

“What's wrong? You look completely lost. Missing Sven?” Cecilia asked gently.

Sven had said he needed to go home to take care of something, though no one knew what. Cecilia hadn't pried.

After a long silence, Charlotte murmured, "I feel like Sven and I won't make it in the end."

“Why would you think that?” Cecilia frowned, unable to understand.

Charlotte drew a deep breath. "I don't know. We've dated for so long, yet I still don't really know him. I don't know where his family lives, who they are, or even what's on his mind most of the time."

Cecilia listened, at a loss for words.

"When he gets back, sit down and talk all of this through," Cecilia advised. “Ask him outright—some people are just oblivious."

Charlotte nodded quickly. "Got it."

once more, squared her shoulders, and said, “Come

as though she were fine,

clasped her hand.

to do but wait

of dumplings was already floating at the top of the

out, "Dumplings are ready. Come taste them, everyone!"

and began eating

yet the house

Queenie. The latter could only

slipped by, and dusk arrived in

and the others headed home. Cecilia saw each guest to the door, and Charlotte went next door to spend

it. Give Sven a call

Charlotte agreed with a

she left, Nathaniel emerged from Elliot's

playing with Jonathan and had

Jonathan, meanwhile, had gone

to Sinclair

Zachary. George's

the boy wanted

now held only Nathaniel and

down, and murmured,

wrapped her arms around his narrow

me hold

much had happened lately that Cecilia

at first, allowing her to wrap her

him. Only after a