Chapter 314 Better If She Did Not Exist At All


    “Don’t worry, Mr. Jenkins,” Cecilia assured him. “I won’t let them step all over me anymore.”


    After finishing her conversation with Norman, Cecilia immediately contacted the overseaspany that had facilitated the transaction, requesting a detailed bank statement.


    Once she received it, she forwarded it to Norman, knowing he would handle the legal battle with the same diligence that had earned him his reputation as the chief legal advisor of Smith Corporation.


    Despite her proactive steps, Cecilia was left with a whirlwind of emotions. She found it hard to calm down as memories of her past flooded back–memories of her strained rtions to with her mother, Pa.


    Five years ago, Cecilia had severed ties with Pa, vowing to never be manipted by her again. Now, Pa had returned, and Cecilia feared the worst.


    “Ceci…”


    As Cecilia sat lost in thought, she was unaware that Martha had quietly approached her room. When Cecilia turned around, she saw Martha standing at the doorway, concern etched across her aging face.


    Thetter’s silver hair and the deep wrinkles on her face only entuated the passage of time and the weariness of her spirit.


    “Martha, what are you doing up?” Cecilia asked, immediately moving to support her.


    “I’ve slept too much. Now, I can’t seem to fall asleep,” Martha said with a gentle smile.


    “Shall we go for a walk together?” Cecilia suggested.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    “Sure.”


    Just moments earlier, Martha had overheard bits of Cecilia’s phone conversation near the entrance. Though the words were muffled, she caught fragments about someone’s return and a warning directed at Cecilia from the other end. However, out of respect for Cecilia’s privacy, Martha chose not to pry.


    Martha knew all too well that Cecilia had grown up, no longer the little girl who clung to her. She had be a strong, independent woman. After helping Martha put on a warm coat, Cecilia exchanged a few brief words with Nathaniel before leading Martha outside for a walk.


    The roads were deserted, the world hushed under a thick nket of freshly fallen snow. The path before them was covered in over a foot of snow, untouched and pristine. As they walked, the only sound was the soft crunch of their footsteps against the snow.


    “When you were a child, I remember how much you loved the snow,” Martha murmured, her voice tinged with nostalgia.


    Cecilia smiled softly, linking her arm with Martha’s. “Yeah, because after it snowed, it meant the New Year wasing. And with the New Year came new clothes and delicious food.”


    Martha never revealed to Cecilia that she had grown to dislike the New Year. It reminded her of the year when Cecilia had been taken back to her biological family and hadn’t returned. It was a memory she carried silently, a pain she had learned to live with.


    As they continued walking, Martha’s gaze drifted into the distance, and she took a deep, steadying breath. “When you were younger, all I wanted was to see someone take care of you before I go,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Cecilia stopped abruptly, turning to face Martha. She pulled her into a tight embrace, her eyes filling with unshed tears. “Don’t talk like that,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “You’re not going anywhere, you can’t…”


    But even as she spoke, Cecilia couldn’t shake the words Calvin had shared with her. The doctor had said that Martha might not make it through the New Year. The thought was unbearable, yet she couldn’t deny it.


    Martha gently patted Cecilia’s hand, choosing not to confront the truth of her own mortality. “I understand, my dear. I still want to see Jon and Eli grow up. But before that, I hope to see someone who truly loves youe into your life,” Martha said softly.


    She nced back toward their home. “Nathaniel isn’t the one destined for you. His current affection is because of his amnesia. He’s blind to the reality of who he was. Once he regains his memory, once his sight is restored, he’ll revert to his old ways.”


    “I know.” Cecilia nodded, her voice resolute. “I won’t let myself be soft.”


    Martha squeezed her hand gently. “That boy, Calvin, he’s a good one. I can see that he cares for you deeply. If it’s possible…”


    But Cecilia shook her head, cutting Martha off. “Martha, I don’t want to be with anyone right now. Calvin is a great person, but I don’t love him. I can’t marry someone I don’t love. It wouldn’t be fair to him.”


    A lump formed in Martha’s throat, making it difficult for her to speak. Cecilia was strong and steadfast, but she was also incredibly straightforward. Once she made up her mind about. something or someone, she rarely changed her opinion. And she didn’t seem to understand the concept of being selfish, not even once.


    After walking for a short while, Martha started to feel tired, and Cecilia supported her as they made their way back home. Neither of them noticed the figure standing in the distance, observing them intently.


    A beautifully dressed woman, elegant and poised, stood at the edge of the path. A young male assistant hovered behind her, waiting for instructions.


    “Mdm. Pa, would you like me to invite Ms. Smith out?” the assistant asked, his voice low and respectful.


    Pa cloudy thank her head her gaze fived on Carilis “No need