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Novel Catalog
Chapter 32 Have You Fallen For Her
Mason, sensing the tension in the air, decided to intervene. It wasn’t that he liked to meddle in other people’s affairs, but he had a keen sense for reading people’s expressions. Recently, Nathaniel’s actions had been puzzling. Beyond his work, Nathaniel’s main focus seemed to be on two things: searching for Cecilia and suppressing Calvin’s business. From Mason’s perspective, it wasn’t just about Nathaniel disliking Cecilia; there was something deeper at play.
As the days passed, Nathaniel never once ceased his search for her, growing more consumed by the pursuit. On Christmas Eve, a heavy snow blanketed the area, adding to the solemn atmosphere. In previous years, Cecilia would have been by Nathaniel’s side at Rainsworth Manor to celebrate, but this year, he returned alone.
Gone were the lively conversations and the occasional laughter that had filled the house after Cecilia’s death. Nathaniel had become a shadow of his former self, mostly sitting in silence, surrounded by an icy coldness that kept others at a distance. The empty space beside him felt louder than any words. After a brief return to the manor, Nathaniel hastily retreated back to Daltonia Villa. Outside, the snow-covered grounds looked serene, but Nathaniel couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, something he couldn’t name.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, he smoked cigarette after cigarette, muttering to himself, “Cecilia, you better hope I don’t find you!” Just then, the door creaked open. Nathaniel turned around to see his mother, Elena, entering the room, her luxurious attire a stark contrast to the gloomy atmosphere.
“Nathaniel, what’s really going on with you? Ever since Cecilia’s death, you’ve become a completely different person,” Elena asked, concern lacing her tone.
Nathaniel didn’t respond, his indifference evident. Elena, frustrated by his silence, pushed further. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Cecilia? But she’s no longer here.”
“As if she’s worthy,” Nathaniel shot back without hesitation, his voice sharp.
Elena opened her mouth to argue, but Nathaniel swiftly dismissed her. “Leave,” he commanded coldly, showing her to the door.
Once she was gone, Nathaniel sat alone in the living room, pouring himself another drink. He couldn’t remember how many he had downed, but soon, the world around him blurred into oblivion. Even with the heater running, he still felt cold, and all he could think about was Cecilia. “Cecilia, Cecilia…” he muttered repeatedly.
As the clock struck midnight, Nathaniel, drunk and disoriented, thought he saw Cecilia standing before him. Desperate, he reached out to her, but as his fingers brushed the air, everything dissolved into nothingness.
Meanwhile, at Seabay Villa, Zachary wasn’t asleep either. His phone kept ringing with calls from Stella, but he ignored them, choosing instead to switch off his phone entirely. He then took out the emerald pendant he always carried with him, holding it in his hand. His fingertips traced its smooth surface, lost in thought.
Four years later, at Erihal Airport, a family stood out in the crowd. A young woman, her hair pinned back simply, wore a hearing aid and had an air of quiet beauty. Her eyes, lively yet tinged with a deep sorrow, betrayed a depth that was rare for her age. Beside her, a little boy of about three or four sat with a financial newspaper in hand, reading it seriously.
On the other side of the boy sat Martha, now in her fifties.
“It’s time, Jon. Listen to Grandma Martha, alright?” Cecilia said gently as she patted her son’s head, glancing at the clock.
Jon, taking his mother’s words seriously, obediently folded the newspaper, covering the page with Nathaniel’s name on it. “I will,” he replied, his voice surprisingly mature for his age.
Cecilia, unable to suppress a smile at her son’s earnestness, hugged him tighter. He looked so much like Nathaniel, a constant reminder of the past she had tried to leave behind.
“You must take care of your younger brother too,” she added, her tone soft yet firm.
Martha smiled warmly at her, patting her shoulder reassuringly. “Go on. I’ll take good care of the two boys,” she promised.
Nodding, Cecilia pulled her suitcase toward the gate, her heart heavy as she prepared to board the plane to Tudela, leaving the past behind her.
