chapter2236

"Stinky Dad, that actually makes sense," Elliot said while kneading the sore spot.

Jonathan murmured his agreement. "Mm."

He gave a small nod to show he meant it.

Nathaniel sat down. "Eat up. Before liking someone else's daughter, make sure she likes you back."

Elliot boasted, "With looks like ours, who wouldn't?"

Cecilia laughed again.

Men, big or small, were all equally vain.

"All right, eat. You're the handsomest," she conceded.

Only then did Jonathan and Elliot settle into their food.

The family clustered around the table, warm and lively.

After the meal, Cecilia stepped outside for a walk; Nathaniel trailed after her.

She shot him a puzzled glance. "Why are you shadowing me again?"

He'd been a tail all week, impossible to shake.

Munching fruit, Elliot piped up, "Stinky Dad, you're clingy. TV says clingy people get dumped."

Nathaniel: "..."

He turned to the boy. "Homework finished? I'll be checking."

Elliot clamped his mouth shut and scurried to his room.

Jonathan, playing on the computer in the living room, glanced over.

He too sensed something off-Nathaniel stuck to Mommy as if afraid she might bolt.

Ignoring the looks, Nathaniel kept pace with Cecilia outside.

"How's the wound?"

"Healing. It's scabbed; bandage comes off soon," Cecilia answered lightly.

She spoke as though it were nothing at all.

Nathaniel lowered his head. "Let me see."

Cecilia stayed still, offering no resistance.

He bent, checked, and saw the clean, hardened scab.

"I'm sorry."

"Why apologize again? It wasn't your fault." She wrapped her arms around him. "There, there."

Nathaniel hugged her back, holding on tight.

Neither Cecilia nor Nathaniel noticed the sedan gliding toward them, its headlights

Sedalled by the streetlamps

but it intent obvious in the way it kept a straight line

The moment the car stopped, Elena climbed out in a rush. When she spotted Cecilia wrapped in

elne

Nathaniel's arms, she cleared her

throat, the sound sharp and pointed.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Startled back to the moment, Nathaniel and Cecilia let go of each other the instant

they realized Elena was standing there.

"Mom, what brings you here?" Cecilia asked.

Elena looked ashen as she stepped up to them. "I'm afraid Nicholas may be in trouble."

Ever since Nicholas disappeared, she had men checking every traffic camera in Tudela. Strangely, not a single frame showed even his shadow.

"Nicholas never even left Tudela, so where could he be? Do you think something awful has happened?" Elena's voice wavered the edge of a sob clinging to every word

Cecilia took in Elena's distress and, helpless to answer, turned her gaze to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel didn't bend. "Mom, he'll be fine. Please stop worrying."

Elena clasped Nathaniel's hand with sudden force. "A mother knows- I keep

waking from nightmares. Nathaniel, please help me find Nicholas. I'm begging you."

Watching the plea, Cecilia felt a knot of conflicting feelings tighten inside her.

After all, she was the mother of twins herself.

If Jon ever hurt Elliot, or Elliot hurt Jon, the thought alone chilled her.

As a mother, she felt Elena's fear as though it were her own.

Yet Nicholas had crossed a line; some consequences couldn't be waved away—

could they?