chapter2216

Madeline's eyes held nothing but fierce focus.

Meanwhile Cecilia felt a flush of embarrassment; during their time here she had already seen several men step in to try clawing that plush toy down for Madeline.

Unfortunately every single attempt had ended in failure.

Madeline's beauty was disarming; even as a young mom she still drew more than a few hopeful suitors.

Cecilia turned to Nathaniel and asked, "Sir, could you just sell us that doll?"

"Well..." The shop owner pretended to hesitate. "Every prize here has to be won the hard way."

His words had barely faded when Calvin spoke up.

"Forget cashing the tokens," he said. "Is this stack enough for the plush?"

The owner eyed the mound of tokens and nodded at once. "More than enough. Absolutely."

He called an employee over; the worker reached inside the machine, pulled the plush out, and placed it in Madeline's hands.

Madeline looked back at Calvin, gratitude and admiration shining in her eyes. "Calvin, you're incredible."

"It's nothing," Calvin answered.

Madeline hugged the plush close, happiness lighting her face.

Watching her, Cecilia could only marvel at the sight.

They had lingered here at least two or three hours, and Madeline had stayed rooted

to that claw machine the entire time for this one toy.

"Come on, let's head back and rest," Calvin said.

The group made their way to the hotel Sven had arranged.

The street was nearly deserted on the walk back.

After they reached the hotel,

Cecilia collected her key card, parted from the others, and pushed open a room door.

The room lay in darkness; before she could slide the card, a large hand swept her into an embrace.

"Ceci!"

The familiar voice held a chill that raised gooseflesh.

Cecilia shivered. "Nicholas, let me go."

The man chuckled softly. "I

wondered if you'd even know met Vejce Back then you could met

tell me

from my brother."

Cecilia tore free and flicked on the light.

Sure enough—it was Nicholas,

somehow already inside. His thimet

frame leaned against the wall

fixed on her with unsett

relish.

"What are you doing here?" Cecilia asked.

Nicholas smiled. "I wanted to see you, so I came."

"I thought we settled everything long ago." An unsteady dread crawled up her spine.

Now he looked like a wolf stripped of its sheepskin, every trace of gentleness gone.

"That's only what you think was settled." Nicholas advanced a slow step.

Cecilia backed away, reaching for the door.

Nicholas moved first, gripping the handle and blocking her escape.

Any chance to run had already slipped away.

"What do you want?" She forced her voice to stay level.

Nicholas gave no answer; he yanked her close and locked his arms around her again.

She struggled hard, but his grip never slackened.

He might be thinner now, yet he was still a man.

"Let me go," Cecilia said.

Nicholas only tightened his hold. "Ceci, why did every one of you leave me? Was I not good to you?"

Every one of them?

Cecilia frowned. "Who are you talking about?"

"Jocelyn... Nicholas breathed the

name."I thought the whole world

would reave, me except

or but she's

changed-she's really with Yannick now."

Hearing Jocelyn's name twisted something inside Cecilia.

Long ago she had already noticed Jocelyn's feelings for Nicholas.

"Nicholas, you never realized she liked you?" she asked.