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

Chapter 2056

Zach scratched the back of his head. "Was it really that long?"

From stepping out to dialing and returning had been, at most, ten-odd minutes— by his count, anyway.

"You tell me," George said, voice frosty. "Perhaps you don't need dinner after all."

Zachary sensed the sudden chill rolling off George and shot Vivian a pleading look, eyebrows raised in silent alarm that asked, "What did I do this time?"

Vivian pretended not to notice. Head bowed, she lifted another bite of rice and murmured, "Grandpa George, the dishes are wonderful tonight."

"Have as much as you like," George replied, his tone warm and grandfatherly-a jarring contrast to the frost he had just aimed at Zachary.

Zachary slid into his seat, forcing a bright grin. "My cooking's not half bad, right? In the last few days, I've mastered a lot."

Silence dropped like a stone into still water. Zachary's grin froze, stranded in the hush.

Vivian and George continued eating, perfectly synchronized in their shared indifference.

Mistaking the hush for deafness, Zachary picked up a slice of lean pork and held it out toward George.

"Grandpa, have some more lean meat is good for you."

George lifted his fork, took the meat from Zachary, and—without a flicker of emotion-dropped it straight into the trash can by the sideboard.

By the time George set his utensils down, Zachary was still mid-air, fork frozen halfway to the table.

jaw went slack; disbelief widened his

despise me that

sideways glance and resumed eating, as

then did understanding click-both of them were angry with him, though he had no

you're upset with me, at least tell

"You contacted that woman. After that, how do you expect Vivian and me to

tongue tangled;

Ross? I haven't reached out

explaining. I've lived longer than you've been alive. Spare me

his fork

rose, smoothing her skirt. "So am I. Grandpa, let

"Very well."

beneath his and guided him

reminded, "Zach, don't be a fool.

all appetite and asked

waited until Vivian's footsteps faded, then

where Stella Ross is and make sure this woman is

she found Zachary slumped on the couch, staring at her as though the world had

"You're back."

breathed out a barely audible hum, the

slow breath, his eyes steady. I think

you before-Stella was