Chapter 217

Cynthia didn't know how to comfort Preston. She offered words, but knew deep down that no one could truly understand his experience. He had to overcome this shadow himself. Whitney, observing from a distance, captured the entire scene. After parting ways with Preston, Cynthia went downstairs to where Jonathan was waiting.

His villa was located on the Bennett family estate, though Jonathan didn't live there. The residence had many courtyards, each housing a different branch of the family. Returning family members stayed in their respective courtyards.

Cynthia followed Jonathan through the elaborate gardens to a peaceful courtyard unlike the others. It featured a small, ancient villa that was both grand and beautiful. However, what most impressed Cynthia was the enormous sycamore tree dominating the yard. Its branches spread so wide they seemed to cover the sky, towering far above the mansion's roof. Jonathan had even built a transparent glass room nestled within the tree's branches.

Intrigued, Cynthia insisted on seeing it. A wooden suspension bridge connected the sycamore to the master bedroom's balcony on the third floor. Cynthia wobbled across it.

They arrived at the glass room's door. Jonathan opened it, and Cynthia stepped inside. The room was small, perhaps only large enough for one or two people, containing nothing but a bed.

Cynthia immediately lay down. The bed was white, soft, and fluffy, like a cloud of cotton. As she sank into it, she felt incredibly comfortable.

She looked at Jonathan, who stood beside her. "You're something, Jonathan," she said. As a child, she'd read fairy tales and dreamed of a treehouse in the forest. She never expected this dream to become reality with Jonathan.

Jonathan lay down beside her. "Do you like it here?"

Cynthia nodded. "Absolutely love it."

Jonathan turned, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Shall we stay here tonight?" Cynthia saw the mischief clearly. She playfully lifted his chin. "Sure, it'll be perfect for stargazing."

She wasn't afraid. The room was entirely transparent, but Jonathan was meticulous about privacy. Every time they slept together, he drew the curtains tightly shut, even though no one could possibly see inside.

Still, she couldn't see the stars. She almost forgot they were in the heart of Betrico's downtown. But lying there, gazing at the dark blue sky, it looked like an upside-down bowl. The rolling clouds were magnificent, endlessly beautiful.

A bright full moon hung just above the treetops, seemingly close enough to touch. Its glow was pure, like water cleansing the world's sins.

"What are you thinking about?" Jonathan asked.

Cynthia gazed at the night sky while Jonathan, propped up on an arm, watched her closely.

Cynthia sighed. "I'm thinking about how lonely I am."

"Feeling homesick?" Jonathan asked.

Cynthia shook her head. "I don't have a home."

Jonathan was silent for a moment. "Aren't you planning to accept Rachel?" He thought Cynthia had moved past her grievances. The Jones family had deeply disappointed her, causing her to angrily sever ties. While things had calmed, it was only due to business interests. The wounds in her heart would never truly heal. Although he knew she still thought about Selena, a return to their former relationship was impossible.

Before the reality show, Cynthia had stayed at the Splendid Garden with Rachel. Jonathan assumed she had wholeheartedly accepted her birth mother.

Cynthia looked out as the evening wind blew across the clouds, obscuring the moonlight. She said calmly, "Jon, Rachel isn't my biological mother."

Jonathan sat up, surprised. "What did you say?"

Cynthia explained lightly, "Rachel isn't my biological mother. I did a DNA test. Maybe it wasn't just Shirley and I who were mixed up back then."

Jonathan's face turned serious, briefly shocked. "How could this be?" But he quickly regained his composure. "Do you want to find your real parents? I can help you."

Cynthia shook her head. "I haven't figured it out yet." She had considered it, but the Harmonious Maternity Hospital had been closed for nearly twenty years. The area had been demolished; a school now stood where the hospital once was. Records from twenty years ago were lost in a fire during demolition, completely burned.

Besides knowing she wasn't Rachel's daughter, she had no clues. Finding her birth parents wasn't easy, and she wasn't sure she should even try. Perhaps her birth parents and the child raised in her place were living happily together. She couldn't bear to disturb their peace. Besides, she felt no emotional connection to her biological parents.

Jonathan seemed to understand her dilemma. She was the kind of person who'd weathered the storm and still offered others an umbrella. Shirley's presence had overwhelmed her, turning her life upside down. She didn't want to become another Shirley.

Jonathan lay down and gently pulled her into his arms. "Then don't think about it. Wherever I am, that's your home." Hearing this, Cynthia felt a lump in her throat. In Jonathan's embrace, she felt safe and secure.

Yes, from now on, they would be family.

Cynthia took out the brocade box Susanna had given her. "Mrs. Bennett said this is your family heirloom, and I should keep it safe, but it's so valuable I'm scared I might not take good care of it, so you should keep it."

Jonathan looked at the box, his eyes darkening. "What's mine is yours. Take good care of it." Cynthia wanted to refuse, but Jonathan leaned over and kissed her. "Honey, it's late. Time to sleep."

Cynthia couldn't resist his passionate kiss. But when he tried to go further, she hesitated, drowsily resisting. "Hey, aren't you worried someone might see us?"

Jonathan pulled a small remote from under the pillow. With a gentle press, the transparent glass cover became opaque and frosted.

She was surprised. "Jonathan, you—"

Before she finished speaking, Jonathan's lips silenced her.

The next day, when she woke up, the sun was high. Cynthia felt an ache in her back and waist, but then she realized something surprising: she hadn't had insomnia the night before.

It was wonderful to sleep soundly until morning. When she opened her eyes, Jonathan was still sleeping, an arm gently draped over her waist.