Chapter 179: An Accident
Calvin reassured Cecilia, instructing her to rest and leaving the matter to him. He arranged for a doctor to re-examine her, and departed only after confirming she was stable. Nathaniel arrived after completing his urgent tasks, finding Calvin gone. Zachary accompanied him.
They found the nurse changing Cecilia's bandages and chose to wait outside in the hospital garden. Zachary inquired about the accident and the investigation's progress. Nathaniel recounted how Calvin had located the car's owner before he himself had arrived at the hospital.
Zachary expressed surprise at Calvin's efficiency, noting, "This person has some skills. He managed to get ahead of you." This prompted Nathaniel's unexpected question: "What do you think about him? Is he better than me?" He was pondering Cecilia's initial contact with Calvin.
Zachary was taken aback but ultimately laughed, responding, "Nathaniel, how can he compare to you? No matter how capable he is, isn't everything he has in this country still at your mercy?" Nathaniel remained silent, finding little solace in Zachary's words. A cold drizzle began to fall.
"You know, he was the first person Cecilia reached out to after the accident," Nathaniel observed. Zachary's surprise quickly shifted to a dismissive comment: "Maybe he's just good at charming people. Don't all women like sweet talk? Besides, that guy has a sly look on his face." He contrasted Nathaniel's striking, almost aloof handsomeness with Calvin's playful charm, acknowledging the appeal both men held for women.
Zachary dismissed Calvin's charm as superficial. "It's getting late. You should head home," Nathaniel said gravely. Zachary, surprised by the abrupt dismissal, complied. Before leaving, he glanced toward Cecilia's ward.
Nathaniel returned to Cecilia's room. Her bandages had been changed, and their eyes met. He looked somewhat disheveled; his usually impeccable suit was creased, and stubble shadowed his jaw. This was the first time Cecilia had seen him so dishevelled.
Noticing her surprise, Nathaniel simply said, "I had breakfast delivered here." He forwent questions about Calvin, casually pulling up a chair and sitting beside her. As he did, Cecilia noticed a scar on his hand.
"Your hand?" she asked, noting his usually beautiful hands.
He downplayed the injury, "Just a minor injury," and sat down. Cecilia remained unaware that the injury was from rescuing her. She thanked him for bringing her to the hospital, avoiding mention of Calvin to prevent Nathaniel's anger.
Nathaniel's expression softened. "You're my wife. It's only right that I brought you to the hospital."
Cecilia quickly interrupted his attempt to discuss the accident: "It was an accident." She knew revealing the truth would upset him deeply due to his feelings for Stella.
He gazed at her intently, accepting her statement without question. They ate breakfast together.
Nathaniel showed no inclination to leave, instead establishing a temporary office in the ward. Cecilia remained under observation. That night, the hospital grounds held a strangely beautiful stillness.
After reading for a while, Cecilia, exhausted, fell asleep. She dreamt of Sean, his face contorted in anger, a blade in his hand, lunging at her throat. "No!" she cried out.