When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 1867

Chapter 1867 The Past Is In The Past
“Nathaniel. Ceci.” Nicholas stopped a short distance from the pavilion, calling out to them.

Both Cecilia and Nathaniel turned at the sound of his voice.

Nathaniel gave a low hum in response, then leaned slightly toward Cecilia. “If anything happens, let me know right away. I'll be here, waiting.”

Cecilia nodded. “All right.”

She stepped out of the pavilion.

Nicholas held the umbrella over her head.

“Thank you,” Cecilia said politely, subtly creating a bit of distance between them as she walked beside him.

Nicholas noticed every small gesture—but said nothing.

Cecilia didn't waste time. “Meredith is a dear friend of mine. It's true she can't conceive, and she sincerely wants to adopt Dahlia. Would you be willing to let Dahlia stay with her?”

Her directness made Nicholas tighten his grip on the umbrella. But he didn't answer immediately. Instead, his eyes wandered. “It's been a long time since we came here, hasn't it?” he said.

Cecilia nodded. “Yes.”

Nicholas gave a faint smile. “Lately, I keep dreaming about our childhood. If we could go back to those days... wouldn't that be nice?”

“What's in the past is in the past,” Cecilia said firmly. “I came here today to talk about Dahlia.”

Nicholas stopped in his tracks. “Dahlia is my daughter. There's no way I could let anyone else raise her.”

Cecilia's fists clenched at her sides. “I know that there's no blood relation between you and Dahlia, and you don't love her.”

Caliste visited Dahlia often. According to the nurses, Nicholas rarely visited the hospital. And now, Dahlia no longer even recognized him as her father.

A smile tugged at Nicholas's lips, though it was tinged with something unreadable. “She and I may not share blood, but how do you know I don't love her?”

Cecilia studied his gentle expression. “Some things are better left unsaid. It might not be good for either of us if we speak too clearly.”

Cecilia had no choice but to swallow her pride. “Consider it… me begging you.”

“No,” Nicholas replied without hesitation.

Cecilia's heart sank. She couldn't understand why, despite his outward gentleness, Nicholas could be so ruthless.

“All right then,” she thought, steeling herself. She would have to find another way.

She stepped out from under Nicholas's umbrella, turning her back to him and walking briskly toward Nathaniel.

As Cecilia walked away, she remained unaware of the complex emotions swirling in Nicholas' gaze—feelings that were a strange mix of indifference and something deeper, something far more difficult to decipher.

At that moment, Jocelyn was not far off. Though she couldn't hear the details of their conversation, the tension in their expressions made it clear that things hadn't gone well.

After waiting for Nicholas to leave first, she turned her attention to Cecilia and hurried after her. “Ms. Smith.”