<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Chapter 1229 pped In The Face</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Once Cecilia regained her senses, she quickly grabbed a towel to cover herself, her voice apologetic, “I’m sorry…”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">She couldn’t quite understand what hade over her, but she had acted on instinct, unable to restrain herself from hitting Nathaniel.</font></font>C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The side of Nathaniel’s face that she pped remained stiff, though he didn’t seem to react much beyond that.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Are you okay? Nothing happened to you earlier, right? Nathaniel asked, his voice calm despite the sting on his check.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cecilia, now feeling a wave of guilt wash over her, replied softly, “No, it’s nothing… I just identally knocked over the bottle of shower gel.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Upon hearing her exnation, Nathaniel visibly rxed, relief evident on his face. With a more serious tone, he said, “From now on, let me apany you when you take a bath.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“No need, really, no need,” Cecilia stammered, her face flushing as she wrapped the towel more securely around herself.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Nathaniel observed her closely, noticing the way she acted as though she needed to defend herself from him, almost as if she was warding off a thief.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">It was almostughable, considering they were already expecting their second child together. The irony wasn’t lost on him.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The initial seduction had been for the sake of the child, but things had certainly shifted since then.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cecilia quickly adjusted her towel and slipped into her nightgown. “All right, let’s go to sleep,” she said. eager to change the subject.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Sure,” Nathaniel agreed, following her out of the bathroom.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Cecilia grabbed her phone and headed upstairs, with Nathaniel close behind. They both ended up in the same bedroom, much to her dismay.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Sleep in another room,” Cecilia suggested firmly.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Nathaniel, however, wasn’t about to leave. There’s no housekeeper here at night, so I’ll sleep with you. If you get hungry or need something, I can make it for you.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">At the mention of his cooking skills, Cecilia couldn’t help but cringe. She vividly remembered his previous attempts at making food. “Forget it, I’d rather starve.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Her pregnancy had made her sensitive to hunger, and whenever she craved something, it had to be satisfied immediately.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">When she stayed at the Smith residence, the housekeepers were always ready to prepare whatever she needed, even in the middle of the night. But here, it was just the two of them.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I’ll just bear with it for tonight.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Is it so unbearable to be with me? Nathaniel asked, ha voice tightening as his interne gave locked to hers.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Feeling flustered under the weight of his stare, Cecilia tried topene herself. Tve told you already,</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">ciliated we’re divorced. We can still be friends, even family for the sake of the child, but-</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Nathaniel cut her off, his voice suddenly cold. “What friend? Who said I wanted to be your friend?”</font></font>
His eyes darkened as he continued, “I’m only interested in being your mant
Nathaniel had been patient all day, but his emotions bed over in that moment. His hand shot up. gripping her shoulder with a fierce intensity, and a hint of desperation flickered in his eyes
-Why won’t you remarry me? What did I do wrong? Nathaniel’s voice cracked slightly as he spoke, his regret evident. “I realize now that I was wrong in the past Can’t we try again?”
Cecilia, startled by his intensity, found herself at a low for words. Nathaniel’s grip on her shoulder tightened, his red–rimmed eyes searching hers for an awer.
“Calm down,” Cecilia urged, her voice steady. “We both made mistakes in the past. I misunderstood your feelings. You were in love with Ste, not me. I don’t me you for that”
Sine continued, “I’vee to realize now that I can’t keep clinging to the past. The reason I haven’t wanted To remarry is that I’m content with how things are now. I don’t want to rush into anything”
Nathaniel’s grip remained firm. His voice was rough when he responded, “I’ve never had any feelings for Ste.
Cecilia sighed, unable to understand his frustration. “All right, all right, I get it. You didn’t like her.”
She patted his shoulder gently, hoping to ease the tension, but Nathaniel wasn’t done. He pulled her closer. his voice low and possessive. “Nichs is already married. There’s no chance for you two. As for Eric, he’s just a C–list celebrity, and actors are known to be heartless. Then there’s Calvin, his family situation is far tooplicated.”
Initially, Cecilia felt a little guilty for pping him, but at his words, she felt her blood boil.
What is it with Nathaniel constantly assuming I have feelings for other men? Can’t he ept that I might just want to be single?
“And what about you?” Cecilia shot back, her voice sharp. “Is there a possibility for us?”