When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2215

The reminder caught in Cecilia's throat.

She had indeed said that and believed it to be true. Yet this wasn't exactly a friend. She was a stranger. He could've at least softened the blow.

"Fine. You're right," Cecilia conceded.

Calvin's grin returned. "Then let's keep playing."

He slid into the newly vacated seat, hands dancing over the controls. In minutes, he reclaimed every last token the embarrassed girl had lost.

Before Cecilia could pocket her winnings, Vivian appeared, hauling several bulging sacks overflowing with plush toys.

Children all over the arcade gasped, tugging at parents' sleeves and pointing at Vivian as though Santa had shown up in midsummer.

"That lady caught so many toys—she's amazing!"

Onlookers assumed Vivian was a claw-machine prodigy. In truth, she had simply fed the machines a small fortune.

Hearing the praise, Vivian's smile spread wide. She loosened a sack, crouched, and fanned the plushies out like treasure. "Go on—pick whichever one you like."

The kids swarmed her in squealing delight, each clutching a new soft companion against tiny chests.

Behind the counter, the owner's face shifted to the color of a storm cloud.

At this rate, today's profits were evaporating into stuffed cotton.

Vivian straightened and called out, "Sir, could you refill those claw machines? I'm nowhere near done."

"Of course, of course," the owner replied, forcing a grin that never reached his eyes. He motioned an employee to restock, trying not to picture the numbers bleeding from his ledger.

Vivian marched back to the glowing machines, determination burning brighter than the neon around her.

Madeline, meanwhile, locked horns with that single elusive plush, attacking the joystick with relentless focus.

Elsewhere, Lucille bounced from game to game, laughter trailing behind her like confetti.

Cecilia stayed beside Calvin, matching him round for round, fingers flying over buttons.

She almost never had an evening solely to herself, and the discovery that it was ending so soon felt like a small, undeserved loss. If only I could stretch these minutes just a little longer.

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