Chapter 2: I Truly Pity You
Stella’s text message—“Nathaniel, it must have been rough. I know you don’t love her. Let’s meet tonight. I miss you”—haunted Cecilia. She couldn't shake it off until the screen went dark. She hailed a cab to Nathaniel’s company, the relentless rain mirroring her unsettled state. She used the service elevator, avoiding the main entrance as Nathaniel disliked office visits.
Nathaniel’s assistant, Mason Sanders, acknowledged her with a curt, “Ms. Smith.” No one else acknowledged her Rainsworth family status; she was invisible in public. When Cecilia presented a forgotten item—a common occurrence—Nathaniel frowned. “I’ve told you, no need to deliver my things.”
Cecilia apologized, instantly regretting her forgetfulness. The memory lapse frightened her; she feared losing Nathaniel. Before leaving, she blurted, “Nathaniel, do you still have feelings for Stella?”
His impatience was palpable. He found her forgetfulness and questions peculiar. How could she be worthy of him? He snapped, “If you’re so bored, find something to do.” She left empty-handed. Previous attempts to find employment had been thwarted by her family, who deemed her public appearances embarrassing. Even Nathaniel’s mother, Elena Griffiths, had openly questioned her suitability: “Do you want the world to know Nathaniel married a handicapped wife with a hearing disability?”
That evening, the absence of a text from Nathaniel fueled her anxiety. He was either upset or busy. Darkness settled, but sleep eluded her. A call from an unknown number startled her; it was Stella. “Ceci, Nathaniel’s drunk. Can you pick him up?”
At the Elite Club, Nathaniel sat listlessly, Stella beside him, urged by a group of socialites to sing. “Stella, you came back for Mr. Rainsworth! Sing, confess your love!”
Stella, a socialite favorite, was Nathaniel’s first love, making her a prime target for matchmaking. She readily obliged, singing a Hestryan song, “Into Your Heart.” Her captivating voice silenced the room. Cecilia arrived as the song ended. Nathaniel’s friends were advising him; Zachary Sinclair's voice was most prominent: “Nathaniel, you waited three years for Stella. She confessed! Tell her how you feel!”
Cecilia froze, fists clenched. A man entering the restroom paused, recognizing her: “Ms. Smith.”
All eyes turned. Silence fell. Cecilia saw Nathaniel—sober. She’d been tricked. Nathaniel’s narrowed eyes met hers. Everyone—even Zachary—looked awkward. Cecilia shouldn’t have come.
Stella broke the silence. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Ceci. Zachary was joking. Nathaniel and I are just friends.”
Before Cecilia could respond, Nathaniel stood. “You don’t need to explain.”
He approached Cecilia. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought you were drunk,” she replied.
He sneered, “Seems you forgot everything I said today.” His voice dropped, a private counter-question: “Do you think everyone forgot how I was deceived? Did you come here to remind them?”
His icy gaze pierced her. “Don’t force your presence. You only make me despise you more!” He left her standing alone. The day held the most words, the deepest hurt. The wealthy onlookers showed no sympathy; Zachary remarked to a feigning Stella, “You’re a good person, Stella. If Cecilia hadn’t tricked Nathaniel, he’d have married you. You wouldn’t have had that hard life abroad.”
Cecilia heard perfectly. She understood. Nathaniel would never marry Stella, who lacked family standing—a fact Stella knew, prompting her departure. But why was she to blame?
Back at Daltonia Villa, darkness and silence enveloped her. Nathaniel was gone. Standing at the doorway, umbrella in hand, she felt the darkness pressing in. She couldn't face the solitude inside. She sat in the gazebo, facing the wind and rain.
Stella appeared, elegant in heels. She sat beside Cecilia. “Cold, isn't it? How does it feel to seek Nathaniel, only to be mocked?”
Cecilia didn’t respond. Stella continued, “I envied you. A good family, loving father, carefree life. But now, I truly pity you. You’ve silently loved Nathaniel for over a decade, and he’s given you nothing in return.”