Chapter 132: Let Bygones Be Bygones

“As long as you’re willing to spare me and Eli, and let bygones be bygones,” Cecilia pleaded.

Nathaniel tightened his embrace slightly. “No way.”

She was right. How could former spouses possibly become friends? Nathaniel mused that if Cecilia insisted on leaving, it would be over his dead body.

The light in Cecilia’s eyes dimmed. She chuckled bitterly. “If I had known you were so vindictive, I would have suggested we part ways when we married.”

Nathaniel recalled her earlier regret at marrying him, his face turning cold. He remained silent.

The car sped through the night, settling into a tense silence. Cecilia felt dizzy, her face flushed. Nathaniel, thinking she had his cold, reached for her forehead. She instinctively dodged. His hand hung in mid-air before he disregarded her evasion and touched her forehead. She had no fever.

“Does it feel good to drink so much alcohol?” he asked, the obvious unspoken.

Cecilia ignored him, asking, “When can I see Eli? He’s timid, and I’m worried being alone in an unfamiliar place will frighten him.”

“That depends on your actions,” Nathaniel replied.

“How should I act?” she asked, confused.

Nathaniel reached out again; this time, Cecilia didn't dodge. She watched as his hand gently rested on her cheek.

“Nathaniel, I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Have you fallen for me?” she asked, emphasizing each word. If he cared, why wouldn't he let her touch him?

Nathaniel’s hand stiffened, then swiftly retreated. His usual indifference returned.

“Of course not.”

Cecilia realized she’d been overthinking. A man as proud as him could never fall for someone like her. No wonder he still rejected her advances. She smiled with relief. “That’s great. If you suddenly realized you were falling for me, I wouldn’t know what to do. It’s better if you continue to have no feelings for me.”

It wasn't entirely a lie. Imagine loving someone for over ten years, only to be unloved and hurt. Then, one day, they confess their feelings. What would she do? Forgive him? Be with him again? Or something else?

Nathaniel didn't understand her words. “What about you then?” he asked, looking directly at her. “Do you still like me?”

Cecilia shook her head. As Nathaniel’s face tightened, she added, “I don’t know. But what I do know is that, now, on nights without you, I can finally fall asleep easily…”

Her nonchalant words pierced Nathaniel’s heart. Under the dim car light, Cecilia didn't notice his slightly reddened eyes. Nathaniel leaned toward the window, equally unaware of his shifting mood.

After drinking, Cecilia became unusually talkative, speaking regardless of whether Nathaniel listened.

“I understand the knot in your heart—the deception you’ve faced. Now, the Smith family has fallen and received their retribution. If I repay you all the money and projects originally agreed upon between the Smith and Rainsworth families, will you let bygones be bygones?”