Chapter 130: Sore Spot

Stella's words struck a nerve with Nathaniel, especially considering Stella and Calvin already had a child.

As soon as Nathaniel stepped away, he saw Cecilia and Darren conversing. Upon seeing Darren leave, Nathaniel immediately approached Cecilia.

"Are you done with your work? Shall we go home now?" Cecilia's words seemed innocuous, but to Nathaniel, they held a different meaning. He felt a burning sensation in his abdomen, yet maintained his composure. "All right," he replied.

He looked at Cecilia inquisitively. "When did you start talking to Darren?" Darren was usually reserved, barely speaking even among friends. Nathaniel had never seen him converse with another woman besides his wife.

"He spoke to me first. I didn't say much," Cecilia answered.

Nathaniel asked no further questions. He entered his car after Cecilia. Cecilia was perplexed. How is he still lucid after drinking so much spiked wine? she wondered. Only Nathaniel knew the extent of his discomfort, fighting to suppress his overwhelming urge.

Impatiently, he adjusted his tie and leaned back. He could faintly smell Cecilia's perfume. Gradually, Cecilia noticed something was wrong; the effects of the drug were taking hold. Seeing a sharp turn, she threw herself onto Nathaniel.

He let out a muffled grunt.

"I'm sorry. It wasn't on purpose," Cecilia apologized, taking her time to rise. As the car accelerated, she feigned instability and fell onto him again.

Nathaniel's eyes narrowed as he looked at the woman in his lap. His throat felt scratchy. "It wasn't on purpose this time either?"

Feigning surprise, Cecilia sat up, her cheeks flushed. Knowing she couldn't rush things, she said, "Well, my hand was still tired, and I accidentally touched you. That's why…" She paused, quickly averting her gaze. "I'm sorry."

Observing her shyness, Nathaniel felt a sudden urge to dismiss the driver. He resisted. He wasn't in a hurry to decipher Cecilia's intentions, especially after waiting five years for her.

Finally, they arrived at Daltonia Villa. Nathaniel quickly exited the car and walked ahead. Cecilia watched his composed figure, admiring his restraint despite his clear discomfort with her advances. However, she doubted he could resist all night.

She quickened her pace, and upon entering, grabbed his sleeve. "Nathaniel."

He looked back with a serious expression. Cecilia placed her hands on his arms, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him. Nathaniel pulled away.

"Do you remember what you said to me after you returned? Please, respect yourself." He ascended the stairs.

Soon, she heard the sound of running water from his bathroom. When she tried to enter his room, she found it locked. She stood stunned at the doorway.

Then, she remembered Elliot's physician's advice about conceiving within the year for a better outcome. But Nathaniel seemed to have discovered something, keeping her at a distance. The more Cecilia thought, the more anxious she became.