Chapter 177: Do Not Leave Me Alone

Sean regained consciousness. He punched the window. Startled, Cecilia recoiled, then composed herself. “If you don’t believe me, call her and tell her I’m already dead.”

Without hesitation, Sean called Stella, but she had blocked his number.

“She’s afraid of being implicated,” Cecilia said. “If you help me and the driver, I won’t press charges. It was a driving error; since we’re unharmed, you won’t face criminal liability.”

Sean was conflicted. Cecilia’s voice grew weaker. Suddenly, a commotion erupted. Sean fled. Cecilia’s vision blurred, but she saw a tall figure approaching. She lost consciousness before identifying him. She only registered the warmth of his broad shoulders.

In the hospital, Nathaniel stood on the balcony, smoking a cigarette, his hands scratched. He glanced back at Cecilia and extinguished it. She’d been hospitalized five times already. His phone rang; it was Mason.

“Mr. Rainsworth, Calvin’s men apprehended the driver.”

Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. “Good. Dismiss Cecilia’s bodyguards.” He ended the call. He’d returned to Daltonia Villa earlier, only to find Cecilia gone. He’d then learned of the accident from her bodyguard.

When Nathaniel arrived, Cecilia was covered in blood. He felt his own heart stop. Fortunately, her injuries were superficial; she’d fainted from blood loss. After pulling her from the wrecked car, Calvin arrived. Nathaniel wondered how he knew. At the hospital, he discovered Cecilia’s emergency device in her hearing aid; she’d contacted Calvin first.

In her hospital bed, Cecilia slept restlessly, her body aching. She dreamt of her deceased father. He patted her shoulder, saying, “Poor Ceci, you must have suffered a lot…” Then, he dissolved into stardust.

“Dad…” she murmured.

Nathaniel, thinking she’d awakened, approached. Cecilia grasped his hand. “Dad, don’t go… Don’t leave me alone…” Tears streamed down her face.

Nathaniel felt her grip, his heart overflowing with emotion. He remained, afraid to disturb her. Her grip eased her anxiety.

When she woke, it was dawn, and Nathaniel was gone. On the bed, his suit jacket lay neatly folded; she clutched its sleeve.