Chapter 191 Lies Again

In disbelief, Cecilia looked up at Nathaniel. He wasn't angry; instead, he looked at her and questioned, "Now, tell me, what do you want?"

The two were close, nearly within arm's reach. Cecilia faced his complex gaze and lied, "I just feel indignant and want to have you, just once."

Nathaniel gently pressed her head to his chest; a soft chuckle escaped his lips, yet the laughter seemed tinged with tears. "Now that you've got me, what's next? Are you planning to leave me?"

Cecilia felt her body firmly pinned under his large hand. Her shoulder felt as though it were about to shatter. Before she could speak, Nathaniel interrupted assertively, "Did you actually believe that, without my permission, you can leave Tudela?"

Cecilia's body trembled slightly. "I promised you, didn't I? That I'd repay the money before I leave. Besides, Eli is still here, isn't he?"

"Where did you get so much money from?" Nathaniel asked seriously. Although he knew she was a renowned composer abroad, the amount he'd proposed was simply unattainable for her.

"I'll earn it my own way, slowly but surely," Cecilia paused, lifting her head from his chest to look at him. "I promise I won't take advantage of you."

Nathaniel, however, grew even more irritated, tightening his grip. Cecilia frowned. "You're hurting me." He instantly released her.

Adjusting her blanket, Cecilia shifted, "I'll get up first." She intended to find some clothes but realized the garments on the ground were either torn to shreds or mixed with Nathaniel's in a chaotic mess. She could only wrap herself in the thin blanket, ready to rise, but before she could take a step, she was again enveloped in Nathaniel's embrace.

"What's the rush?" His Adam's apple subtly bobbed. "Didn't you once express a desire to be my true wife? Holding hands, embracing, kissing…"

Cecilia didn't know why he suddenly brought this up. He was her first love, her secret crush, and ultimately, the man she married. Initially, she yearned to experience all the intimacies shared between husband and wife. She even dreamt of having children together and growing old side by side… but now, having been through so much, she had long given up.

"I dare not hope for such things," she responded. It wasn't that she didn't dare to hope; she simply didn't want to.

Nathaniel regarded her intently, feeling as if something was lodged in his throat. "But now I want to give us a shot."

Cecilia was taken aback, looking at him in surprise. He continued, "Let's be husband and wife for a month. If you agree, I'll let you leave after a month if you so wish. All that happened in the past will be water under the bridge." He couldn't believe Cecilia truly didn't love him anymore, not even a little. In the past, she could only stay angry for about a week.

"Really? You're not deceiving me, are you?" Cecilia was weighing her options. A month was just about the right amount of time to confirm whether or not she was pregnant. If she was, she would leave; if not, she could still figure out a way to stay.

For reasons unknown, a vague discomfort stirred deep within Nathaniel upon hearing her question. "Yeah, I'm not lying to you."

Cecilia knew such verbal promises held little credibility. However, she had no other options. "I trust you, so don't deceive me."

The turmoil within Nathaniel's heart grew even more intense, certain of her intention to leave. Suddenly, he was overcome with an urge—to keep her by his side, not allowing her to go. This thought was quickly suppressed. It's not like I can't live without her! I might just be keeping her around out of spite.