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Novel Catalog
Chapter 44 Cannot Let Her Escape
Sven quickly noticed Cecilia, drenched in cold water, her nightgown clinging to her skin, and fresh, crimson scratches covering her hands and legs. He immediately turned off the water, his movements swift yet gentle as he draped a bathrobe over her, protecting her from the cold and her exposed figure.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice firm, but there was a faint concern in his tone.
It took Cecilia a moment to gather herself, her lips pale as she lifted her gaze to meet his. “I’m fine,” she managed to say, her voice a whisper of her usual self.
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” Sven insisted, his tone leaving little room for argument.
But Cecilia recoiled, shaking her head. She bit her lip, the fear in her eyes unmistakable. “No.”
She took a deep breath before explaining, her voice slightly more composed. “All the hospitals here are tied to the Sinclair family. Zachary already knows I’m back. If he finds out I’ve taken drugs, he’ll tell Nathaniel. If Nathaniel learns I spiked his drink, I won’t be able to get close to him again.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her decision. She couldn’t risk exposing herself. After all, her plan had been carefully crafted for years, and she wasn’t going to let it fall apart now, especially with Calvin absent.
Sven, understanding the gravity of the situation, noticed the spilled wine in the living room, piecing together the rest of the story. His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t push her further. “But your body… It’s in bad shape.”
“I’m fine,” she repeated, determination flickering in her amber eyes.
She then asked, her voice softer, “Could you get me some ice cubes?”
Without a word, Sven turned and made his way to the kitchen, returning quickly with a bag of ice, which he poured into the bathtub. The biting cold of the ice helped calm Cecilia’s frayed nerves.
He didn’t speak much, instead bringing over a medical kit and applying the necessary treatment to her cuts and scratches. His silence spoke volumes, offering her support without pressuring her.
“Thank you,” Cecilia murmured, grateful despite the chaos inside her.
Sven only nodded, not needing to say anything. He was focused on his task, keeping watch over her and ensuring she was stable.
After tending to her, Sven stepped outside the bathroom, giving Cecilia some space to change. Meanwhile, he made a quick call to Calvin to assure him that Cecilia was safe, despite the unsettling silence on her end when he had tried to reach her earlier.
An hour passed, and the drug’s effects began to wear off. Cecilia, now in fresh clothes, emerged from the bathroom, looking a little more composed but still visibly shaken. Sven was waiting outside, still maintaining his quiet vigilance.
“Sorry for the trouble tonight. You should rest now,” Cecilia said, her voice a quiet whisper.
Sven only gave her a brief glance before turning to leave. “Okay.”
Once the door closed behind him, Cecilia was left alone with her thoughts. She could feel the weight of the night pressing down on her. Despite everything, she managed to send a quick voice message to Martha, letting her know she was safe, though the words felt empty to her. The moment she hit send, she couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in her chest.
Meanwhile, at Daltonia Villa, Nathaniel was awake, his mind racing. He stood on the balcony, the cigarette in his hand almost forgotten as he replayed the events of the previous night. Cecilia’s image lingered in his mind, her allure, her coldness, and the distance between them. Despite himself, something about her haunted him.
Unable to shake the unsettling feeling, Nathaniel found himself still awake when morning came. At the office, Mason gave his usual work report, but Nathaniel’s attention wavered. He couldn’t stop thinking about Cecilia.
“Has Cecilia arrived?” Nathaniel asked suddenly, his voice sharp.
Mason paused, slightly caught off guard by the question. “I heard she’s ill and took the day off.”
Nathaniel’s gaze hardened, the intensity in his eyes betraying the storm inside him. He leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing. “Keep an eye on her. We can’t let her escape.”
His voice was cold, stern, and Mason nodded in understanding. “Understood.”
As Nathaniel’s mind lingered on Cecilia, it became clear that he wasn’t going to let her slip away again, not without answers.
