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

Chapter 2049

Jocelyn closed the taxi door, slipped her key into the new lock, and pushed. The door sighed open, revealing a hush so wide it seemed to swallow her footsteps.

She thought Yannick must still be at work, so she didn't give him a call.

She settled onto the couch, pulled the slender gold card Nicholas had given her from her coat, and nested it deep inside her purse like a secret.

She then sent Yannick a message: "I found Nicholas. He's safe—I'm home."

Assured he knew her whereabouts, Jocelyn had nothing left to do. She cleaned every surface until it shone, then dozed through the long afternoon. As evening crept in, she tied an apron, chopped vegetables, and filled the table with dishes meant for two.

Minutes stretched into an hour; steam faded, and the food lay cooling under the kitchen light. Worried, she dialed Yannick.

At that moment, Yannick had just reached his destination, phone vibrating in his palm with Jocelyn's name flashing across the screen.

He had seen her earlier text, felt a knot of frustration tighten, and chosen silence. Now, after a pause heavy enough to hear his own breath, he accepted the call.

"Jocelyn." Yannick's voice sounded lower than usual.

overtime?" She spoke quickly, unable to hide

colder than it should have in the early

it. "Just stay safe, get some

crouched by a frozen embankment and, without thinking, tore at brittle

"I know," he murmured.

so you can work," she said, already lifting the phone from

ear.

His voice sharpened. "I'm actually not that busy-stay on

between them

Yannick searched for something neutral to say

don't know," she admitted. "He was staying

meal, but he never said why

before he could smother it. "I told

I was overthinking," she conceded without

I'll take you out for

ear, heat stinging her eyes-gratitude and guilt folding together inside

She whispered the words as though an apology could warm the cooling dishes behind