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Novel Catalog
Chapter 97 All Women Love Beauty
Cecilia’s mind raced as she lay beside Nathaniel, who remained stubbornly awake despite the drowsiness tugging at him. Every time she tried to move, his grip on her tightened, pulling her back into his arms. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness building up inside her. The entire plan was slipping through her fingers.
Why isn’t he asleep? she wondered, frustration rising with each failed attempt to sneak away. Her hands trembled slightly as she fought the urge to give in to the mounting pressure.
She glanced down at Nathaniel, whose breath was slow and deep, yet his body remained tense. She had expected the drug she’d mixed into the fish to work by now, but somehow, it seemed to have no effect on him. What’s going on?
She froze for a moment when his lips brushed against her hair, his low voice murmuring, “Cecilia, why are you still awake?” His words were barely a whisper, yet they felt heavy against the silence of the room.
I’m just trying to get away, she thought, but instead, she stayed still, unsure of how to respond. It was almost as if he could sense her every move, every breath.
“I… I just don’t want to wake you,” she finally murmured, her voice barely audible. She shifted a little but didn’t attempt to leave his side again. She had no other choice but to lie there, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and plans.
Nathaniel’s arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. “You’ve been acting strange tonight,” he remarked, his tone contemplative. “Is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Cecilia’s heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed hard. He was so close—his warmth seeping into her, his steady breathing like a constant reminder of how much she wanted to get away.
Why can’t he just sleep? she wondered again, her thoughts spiraling as she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.
Despite the overwhelming tension between them, she knew she had to stick to her plan. She couldn’t let her feelings get in the way. But as she lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of his breath, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was only fooling herself.
Eventually, Nathaniel drifted off, his body finally relaxing, his grip loosening. Cecilia didn’t waste a second. As quietly as she could, she slipped from his arms and stood up, careful not to disturb him.
Her heart pounded as she tiptoed toward the stairs. The tools she needed were upstairs in her study, and she couldn’t afford to waste any more time.
But just as she reached the first step, a voice, thick with sleep, broke through the silence.
“Where are you going?”
Cecilia’s heart stuttered in her chest. She froze for a moment before slowly turning around, her hand gripping the railing as she forced a calm expression.
“I need to get something,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
Nathaniel’s eyes were barely open, but there was a sharpness to his gaze that made her freeze. “You’re up to something,” he muttered, his voice low. “What are you really doing, Cecilia?”
The accusation in his tone sent a chill down her spine, and she tried to mask her panic. She couldn’t let him know. Not yet.
But Nathaniel wasn’t letting go of her just yet. “Tell me. What is it you’re hiding?” He reached out, his hand brushing her arm, his fingers lingering just a moment too long.
Cecilia’s chest tightened, and she forced a smile, trying to maintain control over the situation. “It’s nothing. Just some work I need to finish.”
His eyes didn’t leave hers. “I’ll be watching you.”
And with that, he closed his eyes again, his grip finally loosening, but his presence still lingering in the room. Cecilia felt her heart race again. She had to act fast—before he woke up again.
Taking a deep breath, she continued her journey upstairs, trying to quiet the tumult of emotions and doubts that threatened to drown her. But she knew one thing: this night wasn’t over yet.
