When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2224

Nathaniel's gaze sharpened the moment she refused, shadows flickering in his eyes.

His attention lingered on the scarf. "New purchase?"

Cecilia nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"We're home and it isn't cold. Take it off," he said, reaching again.

She instinctively leaned back. "No, I still feel chilly. I'll keep it on."

His hand stalled mid-air before he finally withdrew it.

"All right. If you don't want it off, keep it."

Her tense shoulders finally loosened.

Fighting the drowsiness, she stood. "I'm a bit hungry. Let's eat."

"Sure."

She walked past him and headed downstairs toward the dining room.

Nathaniel watched her go, certain she was hiding something.

Why wouldn't she let him remove a simple scarf?

He couldn't puzzle it out.

Downstairs, Cecilia found that Chef Gordon had already set steaming dishes on the table.

She called the children over so the whole family could eat together.

Nathaniel came downstairs too.

From Cecilia's seat the family clustered around the table, sharing the dishes; warmth soaked the room.

Elliot's gaze landed on the scarf knotted at Cecilia's neck. "Mom," he called.

"Hm?" Cecilia lifted her eyes.

Elliot asked, "Are you cold? Why are you still wearing a scarf inside?"

Cecilia offered an excuse. "Ms. Talbot's place felt chilly, and I haven't warmed up yet."

Jonathan, ever considerate, added, "Then I'll turn the heat up a notch."

Awkward heat pricked Cecilia's cheeks. Her two boys were sweet, but neither noticed how cornered she felt.

Cecilia waved it off. "No, the temperature's fine."

Nathaniel asked, "What's wrong? Haven't finished your work?"

Cecilia lied, "No, I'm just not sleepy."

Nathaniel brushed her cheek and murmured, "Then let's find something fun to do."

Heat flared across Cecilia's cheeks.

She lowered her voice and doubled down on the lie. "Can't. My period's here."

A flicker of something unreadable crossed Nathaniel's dark eyes.

He kept quiet about the fact that he knew her cycle by heart.

Yet, according to his count, she wasn't due yet.

Nathaniel trusted Cecilia enough to know she never lied without a reason.

He sighed. "Alright, I'll sleep first."

Cecilia nodded. "Okay."

Cecilia waited until his breathing slowed, then eased onto the mattress.