Chapter 164: He Does Not Like Women
Under the moonlight, Cecilia looked up at the face she had adored for half her life. “Mr. Rainsworth, didn’t we have an agreement?”
Nathaniel’s hand, resting on her face, froze as he met her clear, shining eyes. She seemed on the verge of tears. A bitterness welled up within him. He withdrew his hand, rose from the bed, and left the ward silently.
Outside, he couldn't forget the unfamiliar look in Cecilia's eyes. He sat in his car, smoking a cigarette, and dialed Mason's number. "What day is it today?"
Rousted from sleep at two in the morning, Mason was met with this unexpected question. He paused, unable to recall any scheduled tasks. He got up to check. There were no collaborative projects, nor was it a holiday. He then spotted a trending birthday topic on his computer: it was Cecilia's birthday. He called Nathaniel.
"Mr. Rainsworth, today is Ms. Smith's birthday."
Nathaniel had researched Cecilia before their marriage; otherwise, he wouldn't have known her birthday. He hadn't anticipated it, nor could he recall it. He finally understood Cecilia's demeanor and Calvin's return the previous night.
Mason, noticing Nathaniel's silence, asked, "Mr. Rainsworth, should I prepare a gift?"
The cigarette singed Nathaniel's fingers, snapping him back to reality. "No," he said, hanging up.
Nathaniel spent the night in his car. The following day, at dawn, he knocked on Cecilia's ward. She was ready for discharge.
"Let's go. I'll take you somewhere," Nathaniel said seriously.
Cecilia, puzzled, asked, "Where are we going?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to see the kid?"
A sparkle appeared in Cecilia's eyes. "Thank you..." she murmured, feeling the gratitude somewhat abrupt. Why thank the man who had taken her son away?
"You're welcome," he replied casually. The atmosphere in the car lightened.
At Spring Forest Manor, Elliot's health was stable. He was comfortable, well-fed, but wondered when his father would visit. He remembered it was Cecilia's birthday and wondered if Nathaniel would celebrate with her.
"When will he come to see me again?" he asked the nanny, his large eyes fixed on her.
The nanny wasn't sure, suspecting Nathaniel wouldn't return after his last visit and the ensuing commotion. "I don't know."
Elliot sighed. "Can I give him a call?" He found eating and drinking monotonous; he wanted to tease Nathaniel.
The nanny looked troubled. "I don't have the authority to call Mr. Rainsworth." She rephrased, fearing he wouldn't understand.
Elliot feigned understanding. "Oh, so next time I should ask him for his phone number, and you can save it."
The nanny, envisioning Nathaniel's handsome face and wealth, saw this as a chance for happiness. "Is that okay?" she asked, brimming with joy. She dreamed of becoming the wife of a wealthy family.
Elliot, realizing her naiveté, decided to disillusion her. "I have a secret to share with you."
"What secret?" she asked attentively.
"He doesn't like women."
Shock filled the nanny's eyes. She hadn't imagined the esteemed CEO of Rainsworth Group preferred men. She felt she had narrowly avoided a dangerous situation.