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.

slack; disbelief widened

you despise me that

resumed eating, as though the question were mere background

did understanding click-both of them were angry with him, though

with me, at least

that, how

tangled;

haven't reached out

I've lived longer than you've been alive.

set his fork

am I. Grandpa, let me walk you back to your

"Very well."

arm beneath his and guided him past Zachary without a

man left, he reminded, "Zach, don't be a fool. Learn to see who

lost all appetite and asked the staff

Vivian's footsteps faded, then picked

where Stella Ross is and make sure this woman is dealt with-

Vivian returned to her room, she found Zachary slumped on the couch, staring at her as though the world had fallen out from under

"You're back."

a barely audible hum, the sound hanging

steady. I think you and Grandpa misunderstood

before-Stella was