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Novel Catalog
Chapter 13 Only Love
Nathaniel’s heart skipped a beat at Stella’s words. Cecilia is planning to get married? The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. The thought of her with someone else, someone who wasn’t him, sent a wave of jealousy and confusion through his chest.
He quickly suppressed the emotions stirring inside him, his voice cold as he responded, “Are you sure about this?”
Stella hesitated but then confirmed, “I heard it from her mother. Cecilia is moving on with her life. She’s been through a lot, Nathaniel. You can’t just expect her to wait forever.”
Her words stung more than Nathaniel would have liked to admit. His fingers gripped the phone tighter as he tried to steady his breath. Moving on? He had never imagined that Cecilia could do that—move on from him. The guilt and regret that had been gnawing at him for so long now felt unbearable.
“Who is he?” Nathaniel’s voice was low, though it carried a sharp edge. He wasn’t sure if he even wanted to know the answer, but the question slipped out before he could stop himself.
“I don’t know,” Stella said. “But I think you should do something, Nathaniel. Before it’s too late.”
The weight of her words hung in the air as Nathaniel stared blankly ahead. Before it’s too late. How many times had he taken Cecilia’s presence for granted? How many times had he let her slip through his fingers, assuming she’d always be there when he was ready to finally realize his feelings?
He ended the call without another word, his mind racing. Without thinking, he grabbed his coat and headed out. She can’t be with someone else. Not after everything that happened. The idea of losing her for good was something he couldn’t bear to even consider.
Nathaniel drove aimlessly for a while, his thoughts consumed by Cecilia. She had always been there, even when he was cold, distant, and wrapped up in his own life. Now, she was planning a future without him. The thought felt like a cruel joke.
He pulled up to the motel where she had been staying, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He had to see her, to talk to her. He needed to know if there was still a chance.
But when he walked into the lobby and asked for her room, the receptionist informed him that Cecilia had already checked out.
“Where did she go?” Nathaniel asked urgently.
The receptionist hesitated. “I’m not sure, sir. But I believe she’s moved to a new place. She didn’t leave any forwarding address.”
Nathaniel’s frustration flared, but he didn’t let it show. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts, his finger hovering over her name. He needed to call her, to hear her voice, but just as he was about to press the call button, his phone rang again.
It was Stella. Again.
“What is it now?” Nathaniel snapped, his patience running thin.
“I just thought you should know,” Stella said, her voice tinged with a strange calmness. “Cecilia’s planning to leave for good. She’s made her decision. I think you’ve lost her, Nathaniel.”
The words echoed in his mind, each one hitting harder than the last. He slammed his hand against the dashboard, the sense of helplessness overwhelming him. Had he really lost her?
Nathaniel stared out of the windshield, his mind a storm of emotions. He had been too late, hadn’t he? Too proud, too stubborn. And now, Cecilia was moving on.
But deep down, something within him still refused to believe it. I can’t lose her. Not like this.
He took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. He didn’t know what would happen next, but one thing was certain: He wasn’t going to let her slip away without a fight.
