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Chapter 90 Better To Live Alone.
Cecilia’s conversation with Vivian had left her with a mixture of relief and anxiety. She appreciated the rare moment of normalcy that came with discussing Jonathan, but Nathaniel’s sudden emotional outbursts had unsettled her. It was as though everything that had been buried over the years was now rushing to the surface, and she had no idea how to navigate it.
As she stepped out into the warm evening air, the cool breeze was a welcome distraction. The villa behind her felt more like a distant memory than something she was meant to reclaim. It was as if her life had been divided into two parts: the years she spent with Nathaniel and the years she spent building a life of her own, far from him. Yet now, it seemed those two worlds were colliding once again, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she gazed at the sprawling lawn, the faint sound of the leaves rustling in the trees above her. The villa had always been Nathaniel’s domain—his territory. Cecilia couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to reclaim control of her life the way he had done so many times before. Yet this time, she wasn’t the same woman who had once blindly followed him.
If Nathaniel thinks he can just demand I come back, he’s wrong.
But beneath that resolve, there was also the question that gnawed at her: What if he’s right?
She didn’t know how to answer. The thought of returning to Nathaniel’s world felt like stepping back into a cage she’d only just escaped. Still, her connection to Jonathan, her son—her heart couldn’t deny that. I have to protect him, she thought, her eyes closing briefly as she steadied her breath.
Her phone buzzed again, snapping her back to reality. Vivian’s name flashed on the screen.
“Cecilia,” Vivian greeted, her tone laced with concern, “I just heard something that might interest you. Someone saw Nathaniel at the hospital today, speaking to a doctor about a young boy. Apparently, they’re trying to keep things under wraps. But—”
Cecilia’s pulse quickened. “What boy?” she interrupted.
“I don’t know for sure, but they said the boy looked strikingly like Nathaniel. There’s some speculation that he might be your child.” Vivian’s voice was low, careful.
Cecilia’s breath caught in her throat. My child? She had suspected as much, but hearing it from Vivian made the weight of it feel too real. No, it’s impossible. He wouldn’t have kept Jonathan a secret… would he?
“I’ll look into it,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.
After hanging up, Cecilia stood on the balcony, her mind racing. Nathaniel knows something. He’s been looking into Jonathan, hasn’t he? Why else would he be so insistent on bringing me back to Daltonia Villa?
Her thoughts were cut off by the soft sound of footsteps approaching from behind. She turned to find Jonathan standing in the doorway of her room, his small figure silhouetted against the light.
“Mom, are you alright?” His voice was full of concern, as he stepped toward her.
Cecilia forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine, Jon. Just thinking about some things.”
Jonathan’s brows furrowed. “I don’t like it when you look so sad. You can tell me what’s going on, you know?”
The sincerity in his eyes made her heart ache. How could she protect him from the storm that was brewing? How could she shield him from the consequences of everything that was happening, especially when Nathaniel was now so determined to have him by his side?
“You’ve been doing so well at school, haven’t you?” she changed the subject, trying to offer some lightness.
Jonathan nodded, his face brightening. “Yeah! I’m the leader of the class now. Felix even said I remind him of Nathaniel sometimes.”
Cecilia’s heart skipped a beat. “Felix?” she asked, her voice tight.
“Yeah, you know, Nathaniel’s brother. He said I’ve got the same… presence.”
Cecilia swallowed hard. Felix had always been a calculating man, and for him to notice Jonathan was both a blessing and a curse. She couldn’t help but think that Nathaniel’s family would never let their connection to Jonathan go unnoticed.
“You’re so much more than that, Jon,” she said, pulling him into a gentle hug. “Just be careful. There are things you don’t understand yet.”
Jonathan didn’t question her, but she could feel the weight of her words pressing on his young shoulders. He nodded, as if he understood that this was no ordinary conversation.
As they pulled away, Cecilia looked out at the horizon, the sun beginning to dip behind the trees, casting a warm glow over everything. I have to protect you, Jon. No matter what it takes.
But as she thought about Nathaniel’s recent behavior, about the mysterious boy in the hospital and everything else she had learned, Cecilia knew that the path ahead would be filled with difficult decisions. And no matter what, she would have to face them head-on—for Jonathan’s sake.
Inside, her phone buzzed once more, and this time, the message was from an unknown number.
You don’t know the whole story about your son. If you want answers, meet me tomorrow at the old docks, 10 a.m.
Her stomach churned. The game was changing again, and she had no choice but to play it.
