Chapter 11 Give It Back To You
Chapter 12 Two Of A Kind
Chapter 13 Only Love
hapter 14 The Last Day
After participating in the interview, Stella went to see Paula.
She discovered that Paula and Cecilia’s younger brother had planned to marry Cecilia off to an old man in exchange for three billion.
Seeing that Nathaniel was silent for a long time, Stella decided to stir the pot, saying, “I heard from Mrs. Smith that Cecilia demanded a betrothal gift of three hundred million. I really didn’t expect her to be that kind of person…”
She paused before adding, “They also mentioned that the cool off period isn’t over yet, so it’s not appropriate for her to get married. They’ll just hold the wedding ceremony first.”
Unbeknownst to Cecilia, her mother and younger brother were still busy planning her wedding. They didn’t take her previous words seriously.
Paula was convinced that Cecilia wouldn’t dare to defy them, just as she hadn’t in the
past.
She had faced so many hardships growing up and never once considered leaving–this time. would be no different.
Magnus had already persuaded Randy to transfer the three hundred million betrothal gift in advance, which he then used to start planning his new company. He didn’t feel the slightest guilt or that he owed anything to Cecilia.
One day, Cecilia received a text from her mother: Mr. Larke has picked the date; it’s the fifteenth of this month. You have four days left, so prepare yourself well for your marriage. This time, you must capture his heart, understand?
Upon reading those messages, a wave of indescribable emotions washed over Cecilia.
The fifteenth….
It was a day of joyful reunion, the day she and Nathaniel had agreed to finalize their divorce, the day she was forced to marry Randy, and it was also the day she decided to leave the world behind.
Afraid she might forget, Cecilia took notes of these events in her notebook. After noting it down, she began writing her farewell letters.
Picking up the pen, she found herself at a loss for words. In the end, she left messages for Martha. and Calvin.
Once she finished writing, she tucked the farewell letters under her pillow.
Three days later, on the fourteenth, the rain was particularly heavy. Cecilia’s phone sat on the coffee table, ringing incessantly.
The calls were all from Paula, asking where she was. They encouraged her to go home and b properly prepare herself for the wedding.
Chapter 14 The Last Day
Cecilia didn’t respond. That day, she wore a brand–new dress in a shade of begonia and meticulously applied her makeup.
45 Pears
She wasn’t unattractive–just too thin, with a face too pale. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Cecilia saw a radiant and exquisite version of herself, as if she had traveled back in time to the days before she married Nathaniel.
She hailed a taxi and headed toward the cemetery. Stepping out of the car, she held an umbrella against the rain and slowly made her way to her father’s tombstone, gently placing a bunch of white daisies.
“Dad,” she whispered. The cold wind howled, leaving only the sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t intend to come here, but I really had nowhere else to go.” Her voice trembled as she continued, “I admit, I’m a coward, scared of going alone. That’s why I chose to come to you… If you wish to scold me, then.
go ahead.”
After softly uttering her words, Cecilia settled herself next to the tombstone, hugging her body tightly. She unlocked her phone and was greeted by a barrage of malicious messages from Paula.
Paula: Cecilia! Did you really think you could escape by just hiding?
Paula: Magnus has already taken the money. Do you really think someone as influential as Mr. Larke would let you off the hook?
Paula: You better think it through. It’s far better to willingly marry tomorrow than to be discovered and forced into marriage.
“Know what’s good for me, huh?”
She read each message quietly.
In her reply, Cecilia wrote: I don’t want to go back. Tomorrow, come pick me up from the west suburb. I’ll be waiting for you all by Dad’s tombstone.
Upon receiving Cecilia’s response, Paula didn’t give it much thought. She assumed Cecilia had accepted her fate and finally stopped calling.
Cecilia relished the moment of tranquility. She spent the entire day sitting there.
As night fell, she took out the small wooden puppet her father had painstakingly carved for her when she was a child. She held it gently against her chest, using her body to shield it from the darkness and the rain.
As time ticked away, the distant chime of a clock struck twelve. The day had arrived–it was the fifteenth. Cecilia gazed up at the endless, dark sky, a bitter taste lingering in her mouth.
At three in the morning, with trembling hands, she pulled out a bottle of pills from her bag. At that same time, in Daltonia Villa Nathani–1
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12.02 PM
Chapter 14 The Last Day
+5 Pearls
He was so weary that he pressed his temples and closed his eyes, only to be jolted awake by another nightmare–again about Cecilia. This time, he had dreamt of her death, and it felt so real…
Checking his phone, he realized it was only four in the morning. Nathaniel was deep in thought, knowing that day was the day the cooling–off period ended, and they had agreed to finalize the divorce.
He couldn’t help but send a text to Cecilia: Don’t forget, we’re finalizing the divorce today.
When Cecilia received the text, her mind was already hazy. She mustered her strength to send a voice message, “I’m sorry… I might not be able to make it. But rest assured, we will definitely part
ways…
After her death, the marriage would naturally cease to matter.
Listening to Cecilia’s voice message, Nathaniel inexplicably felt a sense of unease.
How could it be possible that Cecilia was dying? She can’t bear the thought of dying, let alone divorcing me.
He couldn’t believe it, so he called her.
Over the years, Cecilia had seldom received calls from Nathaniel. He was always a man of few words, usually communicating through text messages. He had hardly ever called her.
When Cecilia answered, before she could speak, she heard Nathaniel’s icy words. “My patience has its limits. Wasn’t it you who first suggested divorce? Are you backing out now because I didn’t give you any money? Planning to marry someone else, huh? Three hundred million probably isn’t enough, is it?”
A lump formed in Cecilia’s throat, and suddenly, she couldn’t hear anything at all. But as the end approached, she refused to admit to things she hadn’t done.
Mustering her last bit of strength, she spoke into the phone. “Nathaniel… when I married you…. it was never about your wealth. Thinking of divorce now, it’s not about the money either… You might not believe me, but I have to say this… I had no idea when my mom and brother broke the contract. I wouldn’t marry anyone now… not even for three hundred million…”
Her words came out in fits and starts. Hearing her, Nathaniel could tell there was a strong wind blowing on her end, accompanied by the sound of rain.
“Where are you now?” he asked urgently.
But Cecilia couldn’t hear his voice. She just held onto the phone tightly, explaining over and over again. “If… If I had known what my mother and brother did, I would have never… chosen to marry you. If I had known… that you’ve always had feelings for Stella… I would have never married you. If I had known that my father would be in a car accident on my wedding day, I… I wouldn’t have married you.”
From Cecilia’s words, Nathaniel could hear the deep regret and discontent she had carried for years. He could discern just how much she regretted marrying him.
Chapter 15 The Last Goodbye
The phone slipped from Cecilia’s grasp, falling into the rain–soaked ground as its screen gradually faded into darkness.
Leaning against her father’s tombstone, she clutched the puppet tightly in her arms, braving the relentless rain. It felt as if she could see her father approaching with a gentle smile on his face.
Those who loved deeply were idealists, while those who seldom loved were realists. Regardless of which one they were, in the end, there would always be regrets.
At Daltonia Villa, Nathaniel stared at the disconnected call, a surge of unease gnawing at him.
He dialed her number again but was only met with the cold, automated voice, “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later…
He got up, put on his coat, and was about to leave. But as he reached the door, he paused.
Cecilia is definitely playing hard to get. We’re on the brink of divorce–why should it matter to me what she
did?
Returning to his bedroom, Nathaniel found himself unable to sleep. Cecilia’s words kept echoing in his mind.
“If… If I had known what my mother and brother did, I would have never… chosen to marry you. If I had known… that you’ve always had feelings for Stella… I would have never married you. If I had known that my father would be in a car accident on my wedding day, L… I wouldn’t have married you.”
Nathaniel found himself standing outside Cecilia’s room, almost unconsciously. It had been over a month since she left.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was pitch black, and the emptiness felt suffocating.
He switched on the light. The room looked barren, devoid of any personal belongings.
Nathaniel sat down heavily and opened the bedside drawer. Inside, he found a small notebook.
On one of the pages, a single sentence was written: I believe that the one who truly chooses to leave experiences the greatest pain. This is because her heart has already endured countless struggles before she finally made up her mind.
Nathaniel scoffed coldly at the elegant handwriting. “Pain? All these years I’ve spent with you, don’t
you
think I’ve suffered too?” he muttered, tossing the notebook into the trash.
But when he left the room, the notebook had been neatly placed back on the bedside table.
Nathaniel didn’t sleep again that night.
On the other side, Calvin didn’t sleep well either. He sensed that something was off with Cecilia
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Chapter 15 The Last Goodbye
over the past few days, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
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Around four in the morning, he received a call from Martha. “Cal, could you please check on Ceci for me? I just had a really strange dream.”
Calvin sat up, concerned. “What dream?”
“I dreamt that something happened to Ceci. She came to me, drenched from the rain, begging me not to forget to take her home,” Martha said, her voice trembling. Tears streamed down her face as she continued, “I was terrified, but when I called her, no one answered. A few days ago, she told me to pick her up on the fifteenth. Something feels wrong…”
Hearing this, Calvin thought of Cecilia’s recent behavior. He quickly got dressed. “Don’t worry, I’m going to find her right now.”
The two houses were close to each other. Within ten minutes, Calvin rushed over and pushed open the door to her room.
An eerie silence greeted him. The bedroom door was ajar, and the room was utterly bare. Cecilia.
wasn’t there.
At that moment, Calvin couldn’t imagine where she could have gone.
Beside the pillow, he noticed two envelopes. He picked one up and opened it, finding, to his surprise, that one was a will addressed to him.
It read: Calvin, I’ve already transferred the rent to your card. Thank you for looking after me these past few days. You know, ever since I arrived in Tudela, I haven’t had any friends. Before we met again, I thought I was such a loser, not even having a single friend. Thankfully, I met you again. You showed me that I wasn’t as bad as I thought, and for that, I’m truly grateful… Please, don’t be upset. I’m just going to see my father; he’ll take care of me.
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Chapter 16 Desperate Measures
The other will was left for Martha, When Calvin opened it, he found an address written in the very last line.
Without wasting a moment, he dashed out of the room, his long strides carrying him quickly toward the car.
The drive to the western suburbs wasn’t far–just over twenty minutes–but it felt like an eternity
to Calvin.
He couldn’t understand how someone who had once shone so brightly, radiant as light itself, could choose such a dark path.
Meanwhile, Paula was also on her way to the western suburbs, driven by the intent to secure three hundred million by fetching Cecilia for the wedding.
At the cemetery on the western outskirts, the rain poured down mercilessly.
Cecilia lay collapsed in front of her father’s tombstone, the relentless downpour soaking her through. Her long dress clung to her frail frame, and she lay there, delicate as a wisp of duckweed, as if she might vanish from the world at any moment.
In the midst of the drizzle, Calvin quickened his pace, rushing toward Cecilia.
“Cecilia!” he called out, but there was no response.
The only sounds in the air were the wind and the rain. When Calvin reached her and took hold of her, he noticed the empty medicine bottle lying by her side.
With trembling hands, Calvin scooped her up.
She’s so light!
He called out to her, panic rising in his chest. “Cecilia, wake up! Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep!”
Without wasting any time, he began making his way down the mountain, carrying her as quickly as he could.
“Mrs. Smith, we’ve arrived,” the driver announced as they pulled up to the cemetery.
Paula gazed out the window and saw an unfamiliar man holding… Cecilia. Her anger flared.
“You’ve got some nerve, Cecilia!” Paula snapped as she stepped out of the car, holding an umbrella against the pouring rain.
Dressed in a festive red gown, the hem now drenched, Paula marched forward with an impatient expression, ready to confront her daughter.
Balance
1424 + 445
1 Coins:
1 Pearls
12:02 PM
Chapter 16 Desperate Measures
tightly shut. Paula froze in place.
+5 Pearls
“Cecilia…” She was about to ask what had happened, but then her gaze fell on the medicine bottle that had been carried by the wind. She quickly picked it up and saw the large characters on the label: Sleeping Pills.
At that moment, Paula remembered Cecilia’s words from a few days ago. “If I were to return my life to you, would you cease to be my mother? Would I no longer owe you the debt of giving birth to me?”
The umbrella slipped from Paula’s grasp, landing on the ground. She clenched the medicine bottle in her hand, staring at Cecilia in disbelief, her eyes wet with tears she could no longer distinguish from the rain.
“You ungrateful wretch! How dare you do this!” Paula’s voice trembled with rage. “Your life was given by me!” Her red lips quivered as she spoke.
Magnus, who had been sitting in the car, saw his mother standing in the rain, staring down at the cemetery. He had no idea what was going on but rushed over, only to be stunned by what he saw.
He hadn’t expected Cecilia would actually…
When he regained his composure, he was somewhat panicked, “Mom, what should I do? I’ve used all of Mr. Larke’s money to start a new company.
Hearing this, Calvin finally understood why the once cheerful and strong Cecilia had been reduced to this.
Paula’s grip tightened on the bottle, her gaze turning fierce as she glared at Cecilia. “I always said: we shouldn’t have had you! But your father insisted!” Paula’s voice was filled with venom. “Now look at what you’ve done. You’d rather die than let us live in peace!”
She roared in exasperation, “Why didn’t you marry first, then die? Why!”
Calvin couldn’t bear it any longer. Watching the mother and son, his eyes rimmed red with anger. “Get out of my sight!” he demanded, his voice cold. “Don’t make me repeat myself!”
“Who are you?” Magnus stepped forward, his tone challenging. “She’s my sister–what gives you the right to tell us to scram?”
Ignoring Magnus’s question, Calvin turned to Paula. “Mom, if we don’t get her to Mr. Larke soon, we’re done for,” Magnus reminded her, his voice laced with panic.
Paula, regaining her composure, set her jaw with resolve. “Get her in the car,” she ordered. “Even if it kills her, she must attend the wedding!”
Send Gifts
Chapter 17 How Dare You Kick My Son
“Okay.”
Magnus walked toward Calvin, ready to fight for Cecilia.
However, just as he reached out his hand, a strong force hit him, and he was kicked hard by Calvin.
Bang! Magnus was sent flying several meters away, landing heavily on the ground, clutching his chest in pain, unable to speak.
Seeing this, Paula hurried to help him up. She glared at Calvin, her eyes full of anger. “How dare you kick my son?”
Calvin held Cecilia in his arms, his eyes filled with coldness.
Rainwater dripped slowly from his hair.
He approached the mother and son as if transformed into a completely different person. Like a demon from hell, he spoke every word with precision. “Do you have a death wish?”
Paula and Magnus were both frightened by the man before them and remained silent, unable to respond.
As Calvin carried Cecilia away, he didn’t forget to remind Paula, “Ceci’s will states that she left a recording. In that recording, you agreed to have no further ties with her. You haven’t forgotten, right?”
Cecilia didn’t want to be her daughter even in death.
Cecilia knew the recording held no legal power and wouldn’t officially sever their mother- daughter relationship.
However, she also knew who Paula truly was.
Paula cared about her reputation more than anything.
If the recording was released, she would forever carry the shame of being labeled as the woman who o drove her own daughter to death.
With Calvin’s threat hanging over her, Paula left in disgrace, taking her injured son Magnus with
her.
Paula got into the car and looked through the rearview mirror at Calvin, who was holding her seemingly lifeless daughter. Her hand resting at her side clenched so tightly that she dug her fingernails deeply into her palm.
“Don’t blame me for being ruthless. Blame yourself for being useless and not holding onto
Balance
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1424 +
1 Pearls
12:02 PM
Chapter 17 How Dare You Kick My Son
For a brief moment, she felt a sting of pain in her heart, but it quickly faded into cold. indifference.
Caring for Cecilia’s death wasn’t nearly as important as reporting the situation to Randy.
Meanwhile, Calvin hurriedly rushed Cecilia to the nearest hospital.
+5 Pearls
As Cecilia was wheeled into the operating room, the red characters reading “in surgery” made Calvin’s heart tighten with fear, unable to relax for even a second.
An hour into the surgery, the doctor urgently contacted the family. “The patient’s condition is critical. Where is her family?”
Calvin’s heart sank.
“What… what’s happening?”
“Are you the patient’s relative? Could you please sign the critical condition consent form? There’s a chance we might not be able to save the patient…” the doctor told him.
Calvin’s throat tightened, and his usual calm and gentle demeanor vanished entirely. He grabbed the doctor by the collar and lifted him up.
“In my world, there’s no such thing as critical condition. If she doesn’t make it through, your entire hospital will pay the price!”
He threw the doctor aside.
Before the doctor could respond, a group of well–known medical experts from Tudela hurried in, wearing white lab coats.
Seeing Calvin, they immediately bowed. “Mr. Reese.”
Calvin simply ordered, “Save her.
“Understood.”
The previously startled doctor finally realized that the hospital had encountered a truly powerful figure.
“Meanwhile, back at Rainsworth Group,
Nathaniel was distracted at work.”
Zachary, too, remembered what day it was today and asked, puzzled, “Weren’t you supposed to finalize the divorce today?”
Nathaniel paused, his sword–like eyebrows furrowing slightly.
Balance:
1424 +
411
1 Coins = 1 Pearls
Chapter 17 How Dare You Kick My Son
+5 Pearls
Nathaniel felt a bit uneasy, but his tone remained indifferent. “Cecilia changed her mind. She told me early this morning that she wasn’t going
Zachary casually sat down on the nearby sofa and spread his hands with a mocking smile.
“I knew that deaf girl wouldn’t be so easy to deal with. She’s been playing hard to get all this time. If this drags on much longer, I say just file for divorce….
He kept calling her “deaf girl“.
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Chapter 18 Regretting It
Nathaniel listened silently, his eyes darkening, yet he didn’t refute.
It was precisely because of his indulgence that his friend Zachary, his mother Elena, his assistant Mason, and even the servants at Rainsworth Manor never treated Cecilia as a person..
Zachary received a call and hurriedly left.
After he was gone, Nathaniel instinctively picked up his phone but saw no missed calls from Cecilia.
He dialed her number, but the same cold automated voice answered, “Sorry, the number you are calling is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later…”
Frustrated, he tossed his phone aside.
Nathaniel stood up and walked over to the floor–to–ceiling window, lighting a cigarette,
Cecilia’s words from the early hours of the morning still echoed in his ears. She had said she regretted it.
Nathaniel felt an inexplicable bitterness in his throat. He coughed heavily, and suddenly, he heard a woman’s voice behind him. “Nathaniel, you should cut down on smoking. It’s bad for your health.”
Nathaniel’s heart tightened, and he instinctively thought that Cecilia had returned.
When he turned around, it was Stella, dressed like a perfect housewife.
A flicker of light passed through Nathaniel’s deep eyes as he asked indifferently. “Why are your here?”
Stella looked at him with a gentle expression.
“Mdm. Elena asked me to come. She knows about Cecilia finding someone new so soon and wants you to not dwell on it.”
She was talking about Elena, Nathaniel’s mother.
Four years ago, Elena and Zachary were in the same car when they were targeted by a rival. company.
Elena lost a lot of blood, and at that time, the hospital had a shortage of type O blood. Cecilia also happened to be type O.
After making sure Zachary was fine, Cecilia donated her blood.
However, after the transfusion, she fainted from exhaustion.
Back then, because the Smith family was their benefactor, Stella did everything to ingratiate
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Chapter 18 Regretting it
herself with Cecilia.
–
+5 Pearls
When she heard that Cecilia was in the hospital, she rushed over without hesitation to take care of her, and it was through this that she learned Cecilia had saved someone’s life.
However, no one knew that during Cecilia’s stay in the hospital, Stella “accidentally” took credit for being the one who saved Nathaniel’s mother.
Stella had assumed that with such a life–saving debt, Nathaniel would definitely marry her.
To her surprise, Elena personally proposed an arranged marriage with Cecilia’s family for the sake of her son’s career and power even though Cecilia had a hearing impairment!!
And now, Nathaniel refused to have any connection with Cecilia. They had been married for three years, and there was still no child.
Elena had begun to lower her standards and even supported Stella and Nathaniel being together. telling her that as long as they had a child, she could marry into the Rainsworth family.
Nathaniel looked at Stella and asked, “Who is her new lover?”
On the phone, Cecilia had said she wouldn’t marry someone else for three hundred million.
Nathaniel couldn’t believe that all her feelings for him over the years had been an act!
Stella hesitated.
“I don’t know either”
If she told Nathaniel that Cecilia was being forced to marry an old man, he would surely show sympathy.
“Since you don’t know, don’t mention it again.”
Stella froze for a moment, then nodded.
That day. Nathaniel remained distracted.
Late at night, in the intensive care unit of Tudela Hospital, Cecilia lay wearing a respirator, struggling to breathe.
She hadn’t died. Calvin had gotten her to the hospital just in time, pulling her back from the brink of death
She glanced at Martha, who was crying beside her. She mustered all her strength to comfort her.
“I’m… not in pain, don’t cry
She had always been a timid, weak person–even choosing to die by sleeping pills.
Looking at Martha, whose hair had turned white overnight, Cecilia felt even sadder and deeply
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Chapter 18 Regretting It
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Martha choked on her sobs, gripping Cecilia’s hand tightly. “Ceci, listen to me. Let’s focus on getting better, then live a good life, okay?”
Cecilia couldn’t make any promises.
Meanwhile, outside in the hospital corridor.
“Mr. Reese, after the surgery, we ran more tests and found that she is already around two weeks pregnant.”
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Chapter 19 She Is Pregnant.
Outside the window, the wind howled violently. Cecilia placed her pale, slender hand on her lower abdomen, her gaze vacant.
Calvin had told her that the doctor had discovered she was pregnant.
This child couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Martha looked at Cecilia, whose eyes were hollow, devoid of any will to live. She hardened her heart.
“Ceci.”
Cecilia took a long time to come back to her senses and slowly turned to look at Martha. “Martha.”
Martha’s eyes were red. Her old, wrinkled hand gently brushed a few stray hairs away from Cecilia’s temple. “Ceci, I don’t have any children of my own. I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. I don’t wish for you to be rich or powerful, only for you to live healthily. If my only daughter wants to die, how could a mother possibly go on living?”
Cecilia’s eyes narrowed as she watched Martha pick up a fruit knife.
“I’ve cared for you until you were ten years old. After that, I couldn’t be with you, and that was my fault. Now, I’ll go apologize to Mr. Smith…”
With that, Martha started to slice her wrist with the knife.
Cecilia was startled. She used all her strength to stop her, but in her current state, she couldn’t even get up. She was at a loss for words. “Martha, don’t…”
Martha didn’t stop.
As Cecilia watched the blood on Martha’s wrist, her tears rolled uncontrollably down her face. “I won’t do anything stupid anymore, I won’t. Martha, please don’t…
Hearing Cecilia’s promise, Martha finally stopped.
Her eyes were filled with red veins.
“Ceci, you’ve already repaid your debt for bringing you into this world. We no longer owe her or Nathaniel! From now on, you must live for the people who love you, for me, and for the child inside you!”
In the end, Cecilia decided to heed Martha’s words, to live well for her and the child.
From this moment forward, Paula was no longer her mother, and she no longer had a brother.
Her only family was Martha and the child in her belly.
Chapter 19 She Is Pregnant
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Martha hadn’t wanted to force Cecilia into making a decision in such a drastic way, but she wanted Cecilia to live!
Cecilia had no say in her birth, yet she still had to bear the so–called “debt” of being brought into this world.
How could a true mother ask her daughter to repay her with her life?
During her hospital stay, Cecilia heard from Calvin that Paula had fled abroad.
She didn’t feel sad.
Just like with Nathaniel, she had long wanted to settle the debt she owed Paula. From now on, they were even.
As for the child, Cecilia didn’t want Nathaniel to know.
After all, this child was an accident.
She knew how much Nathaniel disliked her.
If he found out, he certainly wouldn’t want to keep the child.
After three days in the hospital, Cecilia completed the discharge procedures.
She asked Martha to go home first. Once she had settled things with Nathaniel, she would follow her to the countryside.
On the day Cecilia left the hospital, it just so happened that Zachary was brought there by his father, George Sinclair to oversee some hospital matters, but he saw Cecilia with Calvin.
“Cecilia! Wasn’t she missing?”
Three days ago, on the fifteenth, was supposed to be the day Cecilia and Nathaniel finalized their divor
However, after the fifteenth, Cecilia had vanished without a trace. She didn’t show up for three whole days.
“Why is she at the hospital?”
It was rare for Zachary to show interest, so the director immediately ordered someone to investigate.
Half an hour later, Zachary received all of Cecilia’s hospital records, and he was completely shocked.
Sleeping pills… suicide? Cecilia is pregnant? Isn’t Nathaniel divorcing her recently? How did she end up pregnant?
“Are you sure this diagnosis belongs to Cecilia?” Zachary asked.
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Chapter 19 She Is Pregnant
The staff member delivering the files nodded affirmatively.
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Images of Cecilia leaving the hospital flashed through Zachary’s mind, accompanied by that unfamiliar man. The coldness around him intensified.
He had truly underestimated this little deaf girl.
Not knowing who the father of the child was, Zachary hesitated on whether he should tell Nathaniel.
In the end, he called Stella and informed her about the situation.
He owed Stella one. She was all alone, and only he could help her.
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Chapter 20 Rotten To The Core
Summer was often a time of torrential rain in the south.
In the days following her discharge from the hospital, Calvin frequently made time to visit Cecilia.
Due to the lingering aftereffects of the medication, Cecilia’s health had worsened compared to before.
However, her mental state had improved significantly. Even when she had no appetite, she would force herself to eat a little more.
When she was with Calvin, she never once mentioned Nathaniel.
After being held onto for so long, some people bring nothing but pain when brought up.
Or maybe she simply didn’t want to burden her friends with her negative energy.
When she was alone, Cecilia would often stare blankly at Nathaniel’s WhatsApp at profile picture.
She didn’t know how to broach the topic of divorce again.
On this day, Cecilia had just bought some groceries and was on her way back when a figure. blocked her path.
Wearing sunglasses and a mask, her long hair flowing down her back, Stella was dressed in a striking long dress and high heels, giving off an imposing presence.
“Ceci, does Mrs. Smith know you’re not dead?” Stella asked with a playful smirk.
Cecilia hadn’t expected to run into her here.
The two of them found a quiet café and sat by the window.
Large raindrops beat against the glass.
Stella removed her mask, revealing her delicate face. “Don’t worry, I heard from Zach that Magnus had taken Mr. Larke’s money and had already fled with Mrs. Smith. They won’t bother you anymore.”
Cecilia had already heard this from Calvin.
Fearing retribution for failing to marry Cecilia off to the Larke family as agreed, Paula and Magnus panicked and fled abroad the same day.
Who could have predicted that the once–wealthy Smith family would become like stray dogs. because of a mere three hundred million?
Cecilia silently listened, showing no emotional reaction.
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Chapter 20 Rotten To The Core
“What do you want to say?”
Stella’s gaze drifted down to Cecilia’s belly, which wasn’t showing yet.
+5 Pearls
She pinched her palm but decided not to expose Cecilia on the spot. Instead, she said, “Tell me, what will it take for you to leave Nathaniel? Name your price. I’ll give it to you.”
What arrogance.
Cecilia smiled.
Her calm gaze fixed on Stella. “I’ve been married to Nathaniel for three years, so our shared assets must be worth at least billions. Can you afford that?”
Even the most famous actresses might not have that much.
Stella was merely someone who had polished her reputation abroad but was rotten to the core on the inside.
Stella clenched her teeth in anger, stung by Cecilia’s disdainful
gaze.
Of course, the woman before her had once been the most favored daughter of the Smith family, and money had only ever been a number to her.
Back then, Cecilia’s grandfather, the old patriarch of the Smith family, had even been known as the richest man in Tudela.
But now, Cecilia was nothing more than an abandoned woman nobody wanted.
That thought made Stella feel a little better, and her lips curled into a smile.
“You don’t know who sent me to talk to you, do you? Nathaniel’s mother specifically asked me to tell you that as long as you’re willing to leave, money is no object. Consider it… charity for a beggar.”
A beggar…
Cecilia thought back to how Elena had flattered her when she urged her to marry Nathaniel.
She said that only the daughter of the Smith family was worthy of Nathaniel and that she would treat Cecilia as her own daughter.
Suddenly, Cecilia didn’t want to endure this humiliation any longer. She stood up. “Then bring the money first, and we’ll talk.”
She didn’t need to think twice to know that Elena wouldn’t give her a cent.
regret this.”
As Cecilia walked away, she could hear Stella’s warning behind her, “You’ll regret
Back at home, later that night, Cecilia was half–asleep when the ringing of the phone woke her.
2/3
12.03 PM
Chapter 20 Rotten To The Core
+5 Pearls
“I really overestimated you. How many million do you want? You disappear for a few days, and this is the scheme you come up with?”
