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Novel Catalog
Chapter 4: Letting Go
Cecilia couldn’t help but reflect on her father’s wisdom. It seemed he had known long before her that Nathaniel didn’t love her. Despite everything, Regas Smith had always had her best interests at heart. He had made a deal with the Rainsworth family, ensuring Cecilia’s wish to marry Nathaniel would be fulfilled. But before the wedding could even take place, her father was killed in a car accident. If not for his passing, Magnus and her mother, Paula, might never have been able to break that contract.
After handing over the necessary documents to Norman, Cecilia left the law office and happened to pass by a row of street posters. They were filled with images of Stella—radiating beauty, optimism, and charm, a stark contrast to Cecilia’s own broken reflection.
It was time to let go. She knew it. Nathaniel needed to be freed, and so did she.
Upon returning to Daltonia Villa, she began packing her belongings. Three years of marriage had left her with nothing but a single suitcase of memories.
She had already asked Norman to prepare the divorce papers last year. In Nathaniel’s presence, she had often felt small—self-conscious, humble, and emotional. But deep down, she had known their relationship was destined to end, and so she had quietly prepared for it.
That night, Nathaniel didn’t text or call. Feeling a surge of courage, Cecilia sent him a message: Are you free tonight? There’s something I want to discuss with you.
She stared at her phone, waiting. But the silence stretched, and her heart sank. He wasn’t even bothering to reply now.
The hours passed, and all she could do was wait for his return in the morning.
In the CEO’s office at Rainsworth Group, Nathaniel glanced at Cecilia’s message but quickly set his phone aside, uninterested. Zachary, lounging on the couch nearby, noticed Nathaniel’s indifference and asked, “Is that from Cecilia?”
Nathaniel didn’t respond, his expression unreadable.
Zachary sneered, his words dripping with disdain. “That little deaf girl really thinks she’s the lady of the Rainsworth family. She’s even trying to check in. Nathaniel, you’re not seriously planning to drag this out with her, are you? The Smith family is done for. Cecilia’s younger brother, Magnus, is a fool. He has no clue how to run a business. It won’t be long before the Smith family falls apart. And her mother? A greedy woman!”
Nathaniel listened to Zachary’s words with a detached calmness.
“I know,” he replied flatly.
Zachary, growing impatient, leaned forward. “Then why haven’t you divorced her yet? Stella’s been waiting for you all this time.”
In Zachary’s mind, Stella was everything Cecilia was not—innocent, pure, and hardworking. He couldn’t fathom why Nathaniel hadn’t severed ties with Cecilia already.
Nathaniel remained silent, his thoughts turning inward.
Seeing this, Zachary’s words slipped out before he could stop himself. “You didn’t… fall for Cecilia, did you?”
Nathaniel’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Fall for her?
“Is she even worthy?” he muttered, his voice cold.
He tossed a purchase agreement at Zachary, who quickly skimmed the document. His eyes widened in realization.
Nathaniel wasn’t just planning to divorce Cecilia—he was considering taking over the entire Smith Corporation. The revelation hit Zachary harder than he expected. For a brief moment, he felt a pang of sympathy for Cecilia. After all, they had been married for three years, and everyone could see how deeply she had loved Nathaniel.
But Nathaniel is heartless, Zachary thought. There’s no way he ever cared for her.
Cecilia had assumed Nathaniel wouldn’t return that night. But when the clock struck midnight, she heard the door creak open.
She hadn’t slept, too many thoughts swirling in her mind. As he entered, she took his coat and briefcase, moving like a wife should. Their actions were eerily routine, like any married couple who had been together for years.
Nathaniel’s voice shattered the moment. “Don’t just text me like that in the future.”
His tone was sharp, laced with irritation. In his mind, she wasn’t working, just staying home all day—what did she think she was doing?
Cecilia’s hand trembled as she held his coat. “All right, it won’t happen again,” she murmured, her voice soft.
Nathaniel didn’t catch the subtle undertones in her words as he walked past her to the study, leaving her standing there.
Hours passed, and Cecilia moved through the motions—bringing him ginger tea, listening to him discuss business with his subordinates. She had long since come to terms with the inevitable decline of Smith Corporation. But she hadn’t expected the man she loved to be the one to deliver the fatal blow.
“Nathaniel,” she called softly.
Nathaniel paused, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes. He quickly hung up the phone and shut his laptop, trying to hide his unease.
Pretending to ignore his actions, Cecilia placed the tea before him. “Have some tea and rest. Your health is more important than work,” she said, her voice tender.
For a moment, Nathaniel relaxed, a sense of calm washing over him. She didn’t hear it, he thought. If she had, she would’ve argued with me.
But then Cecilia, in her quiet way, spoke again. “You mentioned you had something to discuss with me. What is it?”
She wasn’t flustered, nor was there any hesitation in her voice. “I was going to ask if you were free tomorrow morning. Could we go finalize the divorce?”
Her words were calm, detached, as if discussing the weather or an errand.
Nathaniel froze. What did she say?
For three years, Cecilia had never once mentioned the word “divorce.” Even when things were at their worst, she had never given him an ultimatum. He had always known she loved him, had known from the start that she had admired him for over a decade.
The realization hit him like a wave. She’s serious.
Cecilia met his gaze, her eyes clear and unwavering. “Mr. Rainsworth, I’m sorry for holding you back all these years. Let’s get a divorce.”
Nathaniel’s hand clenched at his side. He couldn’t believe it.
Zachary had suggested the divorce, but Nathaniel had resisted. He had believed Cecilia wouldn’t dare to leave him—not with the Smith family in ruins, not when she had so much to lose.
But here she was, asking for it herself.
He scoffed, trying to mask his unease. “You heard it, didn’t you? Smith Corporation is crumbling. What difference does it make whether I’m the one taking advantage of it or someone else? What do you want from this divorce? A child? The money? Or are you trying to stop me from taking on the Smith family?”
His voice grew colder, biting. “Don’t forget, I never loved you. Your threats are useless against me.”
Cecilia’s gaze hardened. But something in her chest tightened, and a sharp pain shot through her ears. Even with her hearing aid, the words became muffled.
She couldn’t answer him. She simply replied to his earlier question, “I don’t want anything.”
Fearing he might notice her discomfort, she turned to leave the study.
Nathaniel watched her go, an unfamiliar sense of melancholy creeping over him. He wasn’t one to be swayed by emotions, but for some reason, he felt unsettled.
The room felt too quiet. He reached for the table and, in a fit of frustration, flipped it over, sending the ginger tea splashing onto the floor.
