Chapter 417 A Family


    Startled by Nichs‘ sudden embrace, Cecilia stiffened, her body going rigid. She hurriedly wriggled out of his arms, her heart racing. “I’m already married,” she managed to say, her voice. tinged with both confusion and determination.


    The confusion in her eyes was unmistakable, and her resistance was all too clear to Nichs. Hist throat tightened as he processed her words, and after what felt like an eternity, he slowly. withdrew his hand, his eyes clouded with a deep sadness. “Can we still be friends in the future?” he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Cecilia, still shaken by the encounter, looked at him with a softness that had been absent earlier. “Mmm, we’re not just friends now, Nichs. We’re also family,” she replied gently. “I’ll attend your engagement party.”


    Nichs nodded, trying to muster a smile despite the heaviness in his heart. “I’ll see you there.”


    “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now,” Cecilia said.


    She turned and began her walk back through the snow–covered streets. Nichs stood by his car, watching her retreating figure as it gradually faded into the white expanse. It felt as though she was being swallowed by the vast, endless snow, slipping further away from him with each step.


    Meanwhile, back in Tud, Jocelyn waited for Nichs‘ return to thepany. But as the hours passed with no sign of him, she began to worry. It was unlike him to disappear without a word, and for the first time, she found herselfpletely unaware of his whereabouts. Unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong, she dialed his number.


    “Mr. Nichs, where are you now?” Jocelyn asked, her voiceced with concern.


    Nichs, who had just settled back into his car, replied with a weary tone, “I’m out handling some affairs. I won’t be returning to the office today.”


    “But there’s a dinner meeting tonight-


    “Turn it down,” Nichs interrupted.


    Jocelyn had been by Nichs‘ side for over a decade. She knew him well enough to sense that something was off. “Mr. Nichs, if there’s anything troubling you, please don’t keep it to yourself. You can confide in me–I promise I won’t tell anyone else,” she assured him, her voice filled with genuine concern.


    Nichs allowed himself a brief, self–mocking smile before gently reassuring her, “You’re overthinking it, Jocelyn. I’m fine. Just focus on your work.”


    With that, he ended the call, but not before a fit of coughing overtook him. Though his ailment was mostly cured, its lingering effects still haunted him, and he never knew when it might resurface.


    That day, Nichs didn’t drive home as usual. Instead, he parked his car at a spot where he could see Cecilia’s residence from afar. He remained there for the longest time, watching her house in silence, lost in thought.


    Meanwhile, Cecilia returned home, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. As soon as she stepped through the door, the enticing aroma of food greeted her, wafting in from the kitchen.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Nathaniel emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. “Where did you go?” he asked.


    “Just went for a stroll,” Cecilia replied, the lie slipping out before she could stop it.


    Nathaniel didn’t press further. “Dinner’s ready,” he simply said.


    “Okay,” Cecilia responded, walking over to the dining table. It wasden with all her favorite dishes, a spread that took her by surprise.


    Martha had alsoe down early, eager to join them. “Ceci,e and eat. He had someone prepare this meal for you–it’s all your favorite dishes,” Martha said warmly, nodding toward Nathaniel.


    Cecilia smiled and nodded. “Okay.”


    The three of them sat down together to share the meal, and for a moment, it felt like they were a real family. Martha, unable to contain her emotions, spoke up. “I’ve always dreamed of the day when we could all sit down and enjoy a meal together as a family. I never thought that dream would finallye true.”


    A family.


    Cecilia hadn’t expected Martha to truly ept Nathaniel as part of their family, yet here they were.


    Nathaniel, seizing the moment, spoke up, “Aren’t you seeing the doctor tomorrow, Martha? I’ve arranged for someone to bring some medical equipment over.”


    “That’s wonderful, you’re always so thoughtful,” Martha praised, her voice filled with genuine. gratitude.


    Cecilia watched their interaction, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite put into words.


    “By the way,” Martha continued, “how has Jon been doing at Vivian’s cetely? And how’s Eli at the hospital? My health hasn’t been the best recently, so I haven’t had the chance to visit them.”


    Cecilia realized with a pang of guilt that she had been so caught up in the day’s events that she had forgotten to check in on the kids. “I forgot,” she admitted. “I’ll give them a call after we eat.”


    “All right.”


    After dinner, Cecilia made her first call to Vivian. Over the past few days, she had heard that Jonathan was doing well, but she couldn’t help but worry if anything had gone wrong.


    The call took a while to connect. When Jonathan finally answered, his voice was hushed, as if trying not to be overheard. “Mommy, do you need something? Ms. Kennedy is getting scolded by “Grandpa?” Cecilia echoed,pletely bewildered.


    Jonathan quickly rified, “It’s Ms. Kennedy’s dad. She brought me back to her ce.”