chapter2218

Cecilia jumped at his bark, a sharp chill racing up her spine.

She knew staying here solved nothing, yet the room offered no escape.

Pretending she'd finished, she wrapped herself in a robe and stepped outside.

Nicholas let his gaze sweep over her from head to toe.

Goosebumps prickled across Cecilia's skin.

He carried the same face as Nathaniel, and once she had believed Nicholas the finest man alive, yet now everything felt upended.

"Ceci, I truly hate myself for not claiming you sooner."

Nicholas leaned closer.

"Could you go shower too?" Cecilia asked, taking one step back.

Nicholas halted, then chuckled. "Are you joking? If I wash up, you'll use the chance to run, won't you?"

Cecilia laughed as well.

"If you don't want to, forget it. I was only asking."

She moved toward him on purpose. "Do you really still like me—so much you'd risk everything just to have me? Have you thought about how Jocelyn would feel?"

Nicholas flinched under her steady stare.

His face stayed blank as he lowered his head and tried to close the distance.

Seeing his resolve, Cecilia veered toward the table where the wine sat moments ago.

Crack!

The bottle in her hand shattered, its jagged edge aimed straight at Nicholas. "Don't come any closer!" Cecilia clenched the bottleneck. "Or I won't be polite." Nicholas had expected her refusal.

Unfazed, he advanced step by step. "Really? Show me how impolite you can be."

The broken glass pressed against Nicholas's neck.

He was thin; the shard sliced skin easily, and fresh blood trickled down.

He sucked in a breath. "Ceci, you never cease to amaze me."

Cecilia had never struck anyone before, much less like this.

She edged back. "Stay away-don't force me!"

Nicholas closed the gap on purpose. "What are you afraid of Ceci Relax,

wt fight back

With nowhere left to retreat, she could only let the glass cut him.

Blood streamed, and terror widened Cecilia's eyes.

"Move!"

She backed toward the door behind her.

Nicholas reacted fast and seized the wrist holding the bottle.

"Lying to me again, are you?"

With no other option, Cecilia dropped her head and bit the back of his

hand

Pain jolted Nicholas, yet he refused to release her.

The taste of iron filled Cecilia's mouth.

She lifted her head, confusion lacing her voice. "Let go!"

Nicholas ignored the plea and bent down to kiss her.

A sudden knock sounded outside the door.

"Ceci, are you awake?" Calvin called.

Hearing him, Cecilia seized the chance and shouted, "Calvin! Hel—!!"

Before she could finish, Nicholas clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Mmph...!"

She struggled, but nothing worked.

Right now

e wished she could get back to vicholas's hospital days and

leave him to suffer

untreated

Outside, the knocking stopped when Calvin heard nothing more.

Nicholas listened to the footsteps fade, then finally let Cecilia go.

"Ceci, you'd better not make me unhappy," he warned.

Cecilia gulped for air, offering no reply.