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

Chapter 2052

After Cecilia left the detention wing, Norman fell into step just behind her, his briefcase clutched like a shield.

"Could you draft a settlement agreement? I want the court to consider a light sentence for Scorpius."

"Of course," Norman replied with a single, solemn nod.

They slid into the back seat of the sedan, doors thudding shut against the gray afternoon.

Cecilia leaned back, eyelids sliding down as fatigue pooled behind her eyes and darkness swirled, merciful and silent.

Time blurred until her phone shrilled. She jerked awake, glanced at the screen, and saw it was the director of the psychiatric hospital calling.

"Hello? What is it?"

"Ms. Smith, the patient named Stella Ross insists on seeing you. How would you like us to proceed?"

Cecilia's lips curved, the smile cold enough to frost glass.

"Still pretending she's unstable, is she?"

"She seems far more lucid now-probably dropped the act," the director answered.

"Understood."

She had assumed Stella could keep the charade alive indefinitely. Apparently, the walls of a psychiatric ward were rougher than the fantasy she'd woven for herself.

"Driver,

look Stella in the eye and take the measure

to her now-hardly more

she had not forgotten the harm

already met her reckoning.

air

and bruises mottling every inch of exposed skin. The

yet?" Stella asked, voice shaking

"Ms. Smith said she is

through the ward

title, and jealousy flared so hot it scorched

thin bitter laugh.

now,

muttered. s

you time, a quiet hideaway. Instead, every hour in this place has been a slow, exquisite torture. Jail might be

to a nurse and spoke under his breath.

never once seemed like a

the corridor.

"Understood."

the director strode off to

friend of Zachary-the director's

the safest

the sleek sedan that had just rolled to

out, business heels clicking on the