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

Chapter 2050

At the Smith residence, Meredith arrived with Dahlia in tow, chatting and laughing with Cecilia.

Barely past her first birthday, Dahlia already sensed adult moods. She toddled over with a slice of fruit, offering it to Cecilia in hopes of earning a smile.

Meredith's sigh slipped out. "A child this tiny shouldn't have to be so considerate. It breaks my heart."

"Yes," Cecilia murmured.

Cecilia, too, found the girl pitiful.

What baffled her most was how Cassandra-Dahlia's own mother-could be so cold to the child.

After playing for a while, Dahlia grew drowsy, climbed onto a velvet chaise, and drifted into sleep without a fuss.

A maid tried to lift her. Dahlia startled awake, eyes wide with fear, until they found Meredith.

Meredith stood at once and gathered the trembling child into her arms.

"It's all right," she whispered, voice soft as a feather. "We're at Cecilia's house, and Mommy is right here."

Only then did Dahlia relax, cheek pressed against Meredith's shoulder-still without uttering a single word.

When sleep reclaimed her, Meredith kept holding her, unwilling to loosen the fragile peace.

"Lay her on the bed," Cecilia urged. "It's tiring for you to hold her like this."

wakes the moment I let go. She needs me beside her; otherwise, the nightmares

I brought

space. She hasn't even started

nodded, eyes shining with

to Dahlia's brow, a tiny gesture brimming

said, slipping her bag over one shoulder. "Ceci, we'll head back

to the porch, her heels ticking softly across the marble like a metronome for good-byes. At the threshold, she paused, shoulders squared yet eyes tender, determined to escort this

please bring Dahlia over again-okay? I want her to play with me next time, too," Elliot called, cupping his hands around his mouth as though afraid

rippling in her voice like

back seat with Dahlia nestled against her chest. One arm steadied the child, the other pulled the door shut

felt rarer than starlight bottled-something no fortune could replace, something fragile enough to break if the world so

remained on the top step long after the car had glided down the drive. Brake lights winked, disappeared, and still he stood there, small hand raised in a lonely

she asked, tilting her head so her dark hair

he replied, as though the

half this sad. Isn't she adorable, too?" Her

fine features outshone most adults, let alone

should have every child's vote. Baffled, she waited for her

but she's like a

trees, sword-fighting with sticks. I guess like girls who behave more like Dahlia Elliot said with

if the preference

belongs to s

logical to him,

but the