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.

went slack; disbelief widened his

you despise me that

him a sideways glance and resumed eating, as though the question were mere

of them were angry with him, though he

Vivian, if you're upset with me, at least tell me

then said, "You contacted that woman. After that, how do you expect Vivian and

tangled; words deserted

I haven't reached out to her at

bother explaining. I've lived longer than you've

his fork down. "I'm

"So am I. Grandpa, let me walk you

"Very well."

slipped an arm beneath his and guided him past

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

him, Zachary lost all appetite and

Vivian's footsteps faded,

is and make

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

"You're back."

audible hum, the

breath, his eyes steady. I think you and Grandpa misunderstood earlier.

you before-Stella was