When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2180

Nathaniel let out a quiet sigh, the kind that left a wisp of fog in the hallway's cold fluorescent light. He turned to Ernest, eyes softer than anyone in the room would ever guess, and said, "Come on. Let's go."

Ernest finally fell into step beside Nathaniel as the two men left the hospital's corridor behind them.

Off to the side, Zachary watched the pair disappear through the glass doors. His brow creased.

Why would Nathaniel shield Ernest? Doesn't he know that man's my love rival? How odd...

After returning, Nathaniel quietly informed Zachary that Ernest's wife had died during childbirth.

Guilt struck Zachary like a sudden gale; his shoulders sagged beneath its invisible weight.

He might dislike Ernest, but rubbing salt into a fresh wound felt unforgivably cruel.

***

"Mr. Rainsworth, thank you for stepping in," Ernest said with weary gratitude, then faltered in confusion. "But why did you tell Miranda to write a letter of guarantee?"

He thought such documents belonged either in a child's classroom or between a wife and her straying husband.

"Because today's fiasco wasn't her first," Nathaniel replied, his tone as crisp as winter air.

Miranda had, more than once, tried to pin her own schemes on Cecilia, and enough was enough.

Now that there was a handwritten letter of guarantee, if she pulled the same stunt again, Nathaniel could wave that paper like a court exhibit and slap it against her arrogant face.

Ernest finally caught on. "Oh, I see. That's indeed very clever."

They slid into Nathaniel's sedan—leather still warm from the afternoon sun. Nathaniel dropped Ernest at his apartment, then turned the wheel toward his house. Along the way, he called Cecilia and informed her that everything had been settled.

After hearing that, Cecilia relayed the update to Charlotte, who sat rigidly beside her, knuckles white against the cushion.

Only then did the invisible boulder pressing on Charlotte's chest loosen and tumble away.

"Boss, I can't thank you and Mr. Rainsworth enough."

"I've told you before that we're friends—so drop the formalities."

After a pause, Cecilia added, "And listen, your circumstances are unique now. Whenever you step forward for someone else, promise me you'll guard your own safety first. Do you hear me?"

Although Charlotte liked to pretend a night in a holding cell meant nothing, Cecilia couldn't shake the worry.

After all, Charlotte carried a fragile new life beneath her heart.

The woman gave a solemn nod, the motion heavy as a pledge.

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