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

Chapter 2055

The name stopped Zachary cold. For a beat, his mind flashed to padded white walls and the vacant smile Stella had worn. Wasn't she declared insane?

Recognition morphed into scorn. So she was faking it all along.

"Understood," he said flatly.

He lifted the phone from the table. "You two start eating. I'll clarify the situation and be back in a minute."

With that, he headed out to dial.

Vivian helped George toward the dining table, but a quiet grumble slipped out. "Why can't he make the call in here? What's so secret that he has to step outside?"

George caught the irritation in her eyes and lowered himself into his chair. "Why is that Stella Ross still haunting Zach?" he asked, voice gravel-rough with disdain.

He detested women like Stella.

"I honestly don't know," Vivian replied.

Curiosity tugged at her. "You've met Stella?"

George's gaze drifted toward the window where Zachary paced outside. "Of course. Years ago she nearly shattered Zach's sanity. Once he saw her true colors, he cut her off entirely."

sigh escaped him. "I never imagined she'd crawl back

a fist, knuckles whitening, as though he could squeeze the unwelcome memory-and Stella Ross

armrest with a muted thump. "Seems we'll have to teach that woman

chin, eyes calm yet weighing a thousand thoughts, choosing silence instead of

not Zach has fallen under that woman's spell again, remember this. I stand beside you. If she keeps clawing at him, I'll wager my

Every crease in George's weather-lined

his promise startled Vivian; she waved her hands in

joke about that. Making someone disappear is illegal. I'm fine, truly. I'm

wants to pine for his first love, so be it; anger would only hurt the baby. Besides, I'm carrying

I refuse

laughed. "All right, let's eat.

full, we'll see about teaching that woman a lesson,"

in, balancing steaming dishes that

aromas.

like a general directing troops. The servants piled every savory morsel onto Vivian's

for two now. You must take seconds so the little

meal and letting the food distract her racing

where it was due-Zachary had learned fast. Every dish looked vibrant, smelled divine,

been pampered so much that she had