When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2209

The moment she heard that her father had orchestrated Jason's visit, Chelsea felt her stomach snap tight, as though an invisible string had been jerked hard inside her chest.

"What does he want with you?" she asked, the words leaving her mouth faster than she could brace for the answer.

She worried Kingston might corner Jason and hurl insults that would hurt Jason.

Jason shook his head. "He didn't say. He just told me he wanted to talk to me."

"All right," Chelsea breathed, fighting to sound casual.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "If Dad says something rude, please—don't take it personally, okay?"

Jason's lips curved into a small, unforced smile.

"Relax. No matter how sharp his words get, I won't lose my temper."

After all, Jason thought, if he were a father whose daughter had been claimed by a penniless man, he might bristle, too.

Every parent simply wants the best life possible for their child.

"Mm-hmm," Chelsea murmured.

While they exchanged these soft assurances, Kingston and Phoebe stepped into the room.

The door swung open, revealing the couple caught mid-conversation—two young lovers, close enough to share a single breath. An awkward silence flooded the doorway.

Kingston bypassed Jason entirely, closing the distance to his daughter with protective gravity.

"Why sit so close to my girl?" he rumbled. "Take the couch over there."

"Yes, sir."

Jason rose at once, relocating to the far couch. Back straight, hands quiet, he waited with the deference of a man on trial.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify