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Novel Catalog
Chapter 39 A Questionable Lapse In Memory
A lump formed in Nathaniel’s throat as an unusual glint flickered in his deep eyes. He didn’t say anything, but Mason could sense his growing frustration. After a brief silence, Nathaniel seemed to come to a decision. If Cecilia wanted to act like this, he would play along. He had never truly felt like they were a real married couple, anyway.
Before leaving, Nathaniel had someone sign a collaboration contract with Cecilia. Afterward, he retreated to his office, where he immediately lit up a cigarette. His thoughts, though clouded with smoke, were consumed by Cecilia’s words. She had said, “You’re not someone who has hurt me in the past, are you? Otherwise, why wouldn’t I remember you?”
The thought kept echoing in his mind, making his chest tighten. It had been four years since she had disappeared, and now, her return brought back so many unresolved feelings.
Mason entered Nathaniel’s office, noticing the dense smoke in the air. He couldn’t help but wonder—had things really not changed since Cecilia’s disappearance? Was Nathaniel still haunted by her absence, even after all this time?
“Mr. Rainsworth, I’ve looked into her background as you instructed. But there’s nothing concrete to go on. Her records overseas are sealed, and no one can trace her whereabouts for the last four years,” Mason reported hesitantly.
Nathaniel’s gaze was icy, his irritation palpable. “Then you need to use every resource you can to find out what happened. I don’t care how you do it.”
Mason, taken aback by the intensity of Nathaniel’s request, nodded quickly. He knew Nathaniel meant business. There were certain people Nathaniel could call upon—powerful people who had been used before during the Rainsworth family’s internal power struggles. But now, they were being mobilized for Cecilia. Mason didn’t dare question his boss’ motives; he simply agreed to the task.
“Yes, sir. I’ll make the arrangements right away.”
The rest of the day passed without much event. Cecilia’s visit to Rainsworth Group for the charity project collaboration had drawn little attention. It was only after her departure that her plans took another turn.
On her way back, she asked the driver to take a detour to a cemetery in the western suburbs. There, she bought a fresh bouquet of white daisies, as she had always done in the past. She made her way to her father’s gravesite and knelt, placing the flowers gently in front of the tombstone.
“Dad, I’m back. I’m sorry it took me so long to visit you,” Cecilia whispered softly, her voice trembling slightly. There was no rush, no one to hurry her. It was just her, standing alone in the quiet cemetery.
She took a deep breath, allowing herself a rare moment of calmness as she spoke aloud to her father, recounting everything that had transpired over the years. “I know I’ve been away for a long time, and I know you understand why. I wanted to bring Jonathan and Elliot here so you could meet them, but… I couldn’t. The Rainsworth family, Nathaniel—they would take them from me. So I left them overseas. I couldn’t risk their safety.”
Cecilia paused, looking down at the grave. “I know you won’t blame me. I just want you to know… I’m doing this for them.”
She continued to speak, recounting the years of pain, struggles, and her desperate attempts to protect her sons. But as she spoke, her phone suddenly rang, interrupting her thoughts. The screen displayed Sven’s name.
“Ms. Smith, someone’s here,” Sven’s voice came through the line.
Cecilia’s heart skipped a beat, but she simply nodded. “I’m on my way.”
Hanging up the phone, she turned to leave. As she walked down the path, she was caught off guard by a familiar figure standing at the end of the road.
Zachary. He was wearing a tailored suit, his posture stiff, but he still held a large bouquet of daisies in his hands. His gaze was fixed on her, and it seemed as though he had been waiting for this moment for years.
Cecilia’s expression softened, but she quickly masked her emotions. She approached him with measured steps, the sound of her heels clicking sharply against the pavement.
Zachary stood frozen, as though time itself had stopped. The daisies in his hands suddenly felt impossibly heavy, their weight threatening to crush him.
When Cecilia reached him, their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The air was thick with unspoken words, a history between them that neither was sure how to navigate.
“Cecilia…” Zachary finally uttered, his voice shaky. “I didn’t expect to find you here. I—”
She cut him off, her tone soft but firm. “I’m here, Zachary. And I’m sorry, but it’s not what you think.”
Zachary’s eyes searched hers, hoping for some sign that they could pick up where they left off. But there was no such sign. Cecilia was different now. There was no trace of the woman who had once loved him unconditionally.
“I didn’t know where else to go,” Zachary confessed, his voice full of regret. “I thought maybe… maybe you’d be here.”
Cecilia accepted the bouquet he offered, her fingers brushing his as she took the flowers. She glanced at them, then back at him, her expression unreadable. “I’ve been here already. You’re too late, Zachary.”
His face fell, the weight of her words settling on him. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t mean to hurt you, Cecilia. I… I’ve never stopped looking for you. All these years, I’ve never stopped regretting everything that happened.”
“Stop,” she interjected, her voice colder now. “There’s no need for regrets. It’s over.”
Zachary nodded slowly, his heart sinking as he realized the truth. The woman before him was not the same Cecilia he had known. She had changed, and so had he. They were two different people now.
“I just wanted to apologize,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Cecilia’s eyes softened for a moment, but she quickly steeled herself again. “I can’t go back, Zachary. I have my own life now.”
He stood there for a moment longer, trying to find something to say, something that would change her mind. But he knew, deep down, that nothing would.
With one last, lingering look, Zachary turned and walked away, leaving Cecilia standing alone once again.
As she watched him leave, Cecilia felt a pang in her chest, but she didn’t allow it to overwhelm her. She had made her choice. The past was behind her, and the future was what mattered now.
She turned and walked back toward the car, the daisies still clutched in her hands, as the memory of Zachary faded into the background.
