When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2072

Nathaniel had always pictured a little girl with Cecilia's delicate features and luminous smile.

He sat beside her in the backseat, eyes shining at the notion, while their two sons—Jonathan and Elliot—joined him in staring at Cecilia as though she alone held the key to that dream.

A faint shiver rippled through Cecilia. She hugged her coat tighter, then shook her head. “No. I can't go through pregnancy again.”

Childbirth had been agony, and she already had four lively children. Much as she yearned for a daughter, she refused to stake her body on another roll of destiny's dice.

Disappointment flickered across Elliot's face. His bright gaze dropped to the floor, shoulders sinking as he folded his tiny hopes away.

Nathaniel rested a calming hand on Elliot's shoulder. “Elliot, bringing a new life into this world is anything but easy, and raising a child is harder still. Your mother and I already have you, your brother, and the younger boys, and that's more than enough. If your mom ever chooses to have another baby, we'll welcome the idea. If she doesn't, none of us will pressure her. Understood?”

Elliot understood. He drew in a deep breath and nodded hard enough to make his hair bounce.

Then, he launched forward and wrapped both arms around Cecilia's elbow, clinging like ivy to a sun-warmed wall.

“Mommy, whenever you decide you're ready to give me a baby sister, you have to tell me first. I promise I'll look after her better than anyone.”

Cecilia's laugh was soft and bright. “All right, sweetheart.”

Their driver eased to the curb outside the sprawling mall. The family of four spilled onto the pavement, winter sunlight glinting off the SUV as doors thumped shut behind them.

Even among the holiday crowds, they were impossible to miss. As soon as they stepped into the mall, they managed to turn heads in their direction.

“Are they twins? How adorable!”

“The parents could pass for movie stars.”

Murmurs trailed them like echoing footsteps.

“I'm so jealous of their looks. I swear I've seen them somewhere.”

“Wait. That's Nathaniel Rainsworth from the news, isn't it?”

At the sound of Nathaniel's name, Cecilia felt the atmosphere tighten. Curious stares multiplied, converging on them as though a spotlight had flared open above their heads.

She fished a sleek black mask from her handbag and pressed it into Nathaniel's palm. “Put this on.”

Out came a larger mask for herself and two smaller ones for the boys. With efficient, practiced motions, she secured the fabric over each eager face.

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