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

Chapter 2048

"Keep it," Nicholas repeated, steel edging his tone-no room for refusal.

Yet Jocelyn remained motionless, stubborn as stone, her hands folded in her lap.

Nicholas exhaled in quiet frustration. "Can't you listen to me, just this once?"

Eyes lowered, she said, "I haven't done anything for you. When I resigned, you already paid me extra. I can't take more."

The words settled between them, a silence that stretched and deepened until even the clock dared not tick.

Nicholas lifted his cup again, then, almost against his will, asked, "And if something happened to me?"

"Huh?" Jocelyn's head snapped up. "Nicholas, what are you talking about?"

"Don't panic," he said, choosing each word carefully. "I mean hypothetically. If I'm gone, I'll have no real friends-only you. Can't I leave a portion of my money to you?"

Fear pricked the edges of her composure. "Don't say that, Mr. Nicholas. Nothing will happen to you. You've got family, and you'll have plenty of friends in time."

He shook his head faintly. "No... People think I'm easygoing, but I know most of them don't care for me at all," he confessed, disappointment clouding his voice. Seeing him like that only deepened her worry; a quiet, protective ache filled her chest.

Jocelyn's courage faltered the moment their gazes collided. Her fingers knotted together beneath the edge of the linen tablecloth, and when she finally spoke, her voice was scarcely louder than the rustle of candle flame. "Mr. Nicholas..."

tone and-aware the air between them had grown too solemn-offered an easy laugh that never quite reached his eyes. "All right, that was just me joking. Let's call

request was wrapped in gentleness, yet the weight of his trust left Jocelyn no

her chin in a tiny, resolute nod-trying, and

by one, the dishes began to arrive-porcelain lids lifting to release curls of fragrant steam that drifted upward like slow choreography, filling the private room

sea bass onto her plate, speaking with a gentleness so casual it almost felt practiced. "Come on, eat while it's hot.

Jocelyn's cheeks warmed. "I'm fine with anything," she confessed, the words tripping over a small,

passing her another chopstick-full, Nicholas changed the subject, his tone casual

the sudden question, then gave a quick, honest nod. "Mm- hmm. We dine out

of Yannick stirred an ache she had spent the

question

that morning whether het heart still

Yes, it does.

prayed the feeling would fade; it had

willpower, and her own will, it seemed, held no sway at

Nicholas, once we finish dinner, I'll head home. You

down, studying her as though memorizing light on water. "So

sorry. Right now, I'm focused on marrying Yannick and building a quiet life.

was practical, but in

she found, it would not place

long run, that was kinder-to him, to Yannick, and to the fragile balance

sting tightened Nicholas' throat;