When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2164

Cecilia felt no surprise at all.

"That's right," Charlotte confirmed. "Her ex was a wealthy mogul, but he treated her terribly, so she got a divorce."

"Will Eric's folks accept that, though?" Marco muttered. "A handsome man like him can have any girl he wants... Why choose a divorced woman with a child?"

"Maybe that's what real love looks like."

Charlotte and Marco volleyed rumors back and forth, the car filling with harmless chatter.

Cecilia sat beside them, content to let the stories wash over her like passing rain.

At last, the sedan rolled to a stop in front of the gated residence.

From a distance, Cecilia noticed a figure in a puffy coat, face hidden behind a face mask, standing with their back to the gate.

Something in the slope of those shoulders felt achingly familiar.

"Eric?" Charlotte said, having recognized the man. "What brings him here?"

Beside her, Cecilia frowned, the question echoing in her mind even before Charlotte spoke it.

Still behind the wheel, Marco wore the unmistakable grin of a man who loved a good bit of gossip and knew he was about to witness some.

Charlotte tapped her chin, weighing possibilities. "Do you think he's here for you, Boss?"

Cecilia shook her head. "No idea. Let's go find out."

At the growl of the engine behind him, Eric turned. A gust lifted the hem of his coat as he caught sight of the two women stepping down from the car.

Marco had planned to stay and eavesdrop, but the big black vehicle was far too conspicuous. With a resigned sigh, he steered toward the garage.

Cecilia and Charlotte strode across the driveway, closing the distance to the actor who once felt like family.

"Eric, what are you doing here?" Charlotte asked.

A year had reshaped the man. A trace of beard shadowed his jaw. Broad shoulders filled a tailored coat—an action-hero physique sculpted for his latest role.

Yet the moment he opened his mouth, the tough-guy illusion shattered like glass on pavement.

"Lottie, Ms. Ceci—it's been a while." His words were gentle, almost shy, fogging in the cold air.

"Indeed," Charlotte said, earnest admiration softening her features. "You've been through quite a big transformation, huh? A good one, of course."

A silent ache tightened his chest. If it were truly nothing, we wouldn't have stayed out of contact for so long...

Kicking at a drift, Eric chose each word with care. "The rumors about me—about a supposed romance."

"Ah, the talk about you dating your new co-star, yes?" Cecilia said, connecting the dots.

He nodded, eyes locked on her face. "So you did hear."

"Someone mentioned it in passing this afternoon. Congratulations!" Cecilia replied, her smile warm and sincere.

A shadow crossed Eric's features. "Ceci, it isn't real. It's just publicity for the movie. I thought you—of all people—already knew that."

After all, he signed with Cecilia's own company. Shouldn't the boss know what her talents were up to?

Alas, these days, Cecilia juggled far more than Ceci Corporation. She had also assumed control of the sprawling Jamieson Group. With two empires to steer, she could hardly spare a glance for the day-to-day grind of a film shoot far below her balcony.

Cecilia offered a small, measured smile. "I'm sorry. I truly don't have any details about that."

Eric's stare blazed warmer, as though speaking to her meant standing closer to a fire. "All right," he said, voice gentle yet urgent. "I only came to clear things up—didn't want you getting the wrong idea."

The wording alone nudged Cecilia toward exactly the misunderstanding he feared.

"Eric, I thought I made this clear last time," she hastily said. "I don't feel that way about you. At best, we're friends, so there's no need to explain such things to me."