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

Chapter 2042

Nathaniel nodded once, a solemn vow rather than a gesture.

"But if he contacts you again, promise you'll tell me anything at all. No secrets," he said, the plea wrapped in quiet steel.

"All right." Her answer was immediate, unburdened. She lowered his hand from her face, fingers sliding down until their palms fit together. "Let's go home."

Their fingers threaded, and a calm he had never known seeped into Nathaniel's bones.

The world felt newly fragile; he feared her slipping away, feared someone stealing her as easily as a gust snatches a loose leaf.

"Ceci, you do love me, don't you?" he asked suddenly while they walked.

She stopped, eyebrows raised in amused disbelief. "We're practically an old married couple, and we have four children. Talking about 'love' now is downright childish."

Nathaniel answered her smile with a firmer squeeze, as if the warmth of her hand could seal every unspoken promise.

"So, tell me do you love me?" His voice came out low and steady, but the intensity in his eyes pinned Cecilia in place like a beam of molten light.

His fingers unwittingly tightened around her hand, sharp enough to sting. She parted her lips, ready to whisper the answer he craved, when Elliot came barreling toward them.

where did you two disappear to?" he puffed, cheeks

son's. "We went to look for Ms. Talbot a minute ago. What's wrong,

Seiler just arrived," Elliot

Meredith Seiler?

let Nathaniel's hand fall, clasped Elliot's small fingers instead, and together

the couch the instant they appeared, grief and concern mingling

words hung in the air like a soft, respectful veil. Cecilia managed a small nod, though fresh pain

her with dread. Well-intentioned condolences always forced her to revisit the moment her

she asked the housekeeper to bring coffee, her

here in the middle of a workday?" She steered the conversation

folding her

happen to her?"

into my home, but the residency papers and guardianship are still unresolved."

see it plainly-Meredith's desire to adopt the girl had

I couldn't help last time," Cecilia murmured, remorse coloring each

weeks ago. He had dismissed

legal team is legendary Put me in touch m ready to challenge

with Dahlia had entwined their hearts; separation was no longer an option she could

out her phone and forwarded the chief