chapter2084

After Queenie's departure, Alphonse and Bethany kept polite smiles fixed in place, but Cecilia saw the sorrow hovering behind their eyes.

Not wanting loneliness to take root, she sent them daily snippets of her life, including short clips of the boys chasing sunlight across the rug, photos of uneaten cookies, and funny anecdotes typed at midnight.

The elderly couple, in return, video-called often to check on the children and Cecilia.

Little by little, life seemed to find its rhythm again.

"Ceci, will you and the children be able to come back for a visit?" Bethany asked, voice hesitant.

She knew Cecilia now belonged to the Rainsworths, so her priorities were pulled toward her husband's side of the family.

Cecilia's fingers flew across the keyboard. "Nathaniel and I have decided. We'll come right after the New Year to visit you and Grandpa."

"Wonderful! Come as soon as you can. Your grandpa and I will prepare every one of your favorite dishes," Bethany replied, her delight practically shimmering through the screen.

Cecilia laughed aloud, chatted with Bethany for a good while longer, then finally ended the call with a reluctant wave.

Upstairs, after the final outfit change, Jonathan and Elliot collapsed onto their beds, fast asleep within minutes.

The living room fell into a rare hush, holding only Cecilia and Nathaniel amid scattered shopping bags and the distant tick of a wall clock.

Cecilia leaned back against the couch, eyelids drooping, intent on stealing five minutes of calm when Nathaniel suddenly shifted closer.

"Ceci."

She jerked in surprise. "What is it?"

"Is this all we're doing today?" His question hovered, fragile.

"I don't follow. What do you mean?" Confusion knitted her brows.

Disappointment clouded Nathaniel's eyes. "Nothing," he muttered.

He turned his head, letting the full weight of his displeasure sit plainly on his face. Cecilia finally read the room. Something inside Nathaniel was storming, evident from the faint tension at his jaw and the way his gaze refused to settle.

She lifted her face to his, worry eclipsing her earlier cheer. "What's the matter? Who dared to spoil your mood?"

Cecilia took a single step closer, the scent of cedar from his freshly pressed shirt drawing her in.

Before she could speak again,

Nathaniel's long arms swept out in

one swift, possessive motion, he

pulled her against his chest, as though staking a claim no one could Contest.

"You really have to ask?"

His voice came out rough, velvet-edged with gravel, every syllable vibrating through the scant inches between them.

Warm breath fanned over her cheek. Color flared across Cecilia's face. Her blush deepened as she tried to twist free, finding his hold ironclad.

She squirmed, whisper-shouting, "Stop it, let me go! If Elliot or Jonathan walks out and sees this, it'll be awkward."

Nathaniel only tightened his embrace, chin settling atop her hair as if the conversation were already over.

"What could be awkward about two married people holding each other? They're not babies anymore. They should understand," he responded sulkily.

Rolling her eyes, she muttered, "Not babies? They're only six-maybe seven- years old."

"I was seven when I moved overseas on my own," Nathaniel replied, the words low, laced with a faint, almost childish grievance. s ? ?s FιndＮovel.net

Her brows arched, genuine amazement slipping past her irritation. "You left the country that young?"

He grunted an affirmative, then an idea lit behind his eyes. "Ceci, we shouldn't coddle them. Let's arrange for Elliot and Jonathan to spend time abroad to build some resilience. It'll give us more space for, well, us."

She hesitated, heart squeezing. "They're too little, Nathaniel. Besides, Elliot's just regained his health, and Jonathan still keeps Old Mr. Sinclair company every day."

?

"I'll assign a full team to watch over Elliot. As for Jonathan, let him stay with Old Mr. Sinclair for now. Once

Vivian's baby antives, the old ones

man

will have new joy, and Jonathan can head out with his brother."

Cecilia fell silent, worry pooling behind her eyes while the ticking clock filled the

gap.

"Do we have to decide now? Can't we wait a little?"

"The earlier they learn, the better," he insisted.

She shook her head. "I can't bear to be apart from them yet. And I won't rest easy. Let's revisit this later."

Nathaniel leaned in until his face filled her vision, the heat of him setting her cheeks aflame. “Back up, you're too close,” she whispered, flustered.