chapter2226

A heartbeat later, Cecilia's eyes flew open to find Nathaniel watching her with worry.

She grabbed his hand in panic. "Why are you still awake?"

"Couldn't sleep, so I woke up," he replied.

She urged, "Alright, close your eyes and go back to sleep. You still have work tomorrow."

Nathaniel nodded but kept his arms around her.

Testing the waters, he asked, "It feels like you've slept badly since you got home. Did something happen over there?"

Cecilia froze for a beat, then regained composure.

"Nothing happened. I just don't sleep well in unfamiliar beds," she said.

Seeing her deflect yet again, Nathaniel decided not to push tonight.

Tomorrow he would confront Nicholas and learn the truth.

The next morning.

Cecilia woke refreshed, the heaviness finally gone.

Maybe because Nathaniel had held her, no nightmares had come and her sleep felt deep.

She turned; his side of the bed was already empty.

After washing up and changing, she stepped out of the bedroom.

In the dining room she found only Elliot and Jonathan, who had just started eating.

"Mommy, you're up. Come have breakfast," Elliot called.

Cecilia sat opposite them and asked, "Where's Daddy?"

Elliot shook his head. "Not sure. He was gone when we got up; Auntie said he left early."

"Oh, all right." Cecilia lowered her gaze and continued with her breakfast.

Jonathan studied the thick layers she had put on and asked, "Mommy, aren't you hot?"

Cecilia hesitated, looked up with an embarrassed smile, and said, "It's fine, not hot. What's wrong?"

"Good, as long as you're comfortable. You're wearing so much that even your neck is hidden," Jonathan replied.

Cecilia chatted idly with the boys,

and when breakfast ended she told, the driver to take Elliot and Jonathan to

School.

fet

After waving them off, she declined the chauffeur's help, drove herself and slipped into a small cline fo change the dressing.

Dr. Lazlo peeled back the gauze, and the scar on her neck stood out stark and raw.

"Doctor, how long will it take for this wound to heal?"

"At least a month."

"Will the mark still be obvious after that month?" Cecilia asked.

Dr. Lazlo chuckled. "You'll still see it, especially if your skin scars easily."

With that, the doctor looked more closely at her face.

"Sorry—I hadn't noticed the cut on your cheek."

A thin line still marked the side of her face, the price she had paid when she saved Jon.

"It's all right." Cecilia offered a gentle smile. "Please redo the bandage, and if you can, help me erase the scar."

"Steady use of scar-removal ointment should keep it under control," Dr. Lazlo answered.

Cecilia nodded. "Okay."

Once the fresh gauze was in place, she bundled herself tight again and stepped outside.

The cold season worked in her favor; in summer, hiding the injury would have been impossible.

Even so, what involved Nicholas still demanded caution.

After returning to the company, she

hired several bodyguards, Sup

them with gear, and ordered them to

quard her around the clock

In a dim room elsewhere, Nathaniel sat at the head of the table while Nicholas stood

before him.

Nicholas managed a bitter smile. "Brother, did she tell you?"

Based on everything he knew about Cecilia, Nicholas had expected her silence.