Chapter 230: Secret Spot

All the criticisms Nathaniel had faced at the party seemed insignificant compared to this moment. He gently pulled Cecilia into his arms, unwilling to wake her. He realized her forehead was burning hot. "You've got a fever!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.

Cecilia stirred, her head throbbing. She slowly opened her eyes. "You're back," she mumbled weakly.

"Yes, I'm back. You have a fever. I'll get the doctor," Nathaniel said, reaching for his phone.

Cecilia clung to him. "I don't want to see a doctor," she pleaded desperately. "I'll be fine with some medicine."

It had been nearly two weeks since her last hospital visit, and she still hadn't confirmed her pregnancy. The thought of a doctor's examination filled her with dread.

Nathaniel's earlier bad mood dissipated as he felt Cecilia's warmth against him. "Listen to me," he began, but she interrupted, her grip tightening.

"Nathaniel, please," she begged, her voice trembling. "I promise, I'm fine."

Her gentle voice was entrancing, making it hard for him to maintain his resolve. Her behavior was unusual, and it worried him. "What's going on?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his tone.

Cecilia buried her face in his chest. "My father passed away in the hospital, and so did my child," she whispered. "I'm terrified of doctors."

Nathaniel's heart ached. He compromised. "I'll get your medicine," he said.

"All right."

Nathaniel fetched the fever reducer and warm water. He watched as she swallowed the pills and forced a smile. "I'll get better soon," she said.

"Sure," Nathaniel replied, but his unease remained.

Later that night, Cecilia still had a fever. After a bath and more medicine, she nestled in Nathaniel's arms. Her mind was restless.

"I have a question," she began hesitantly. "Is it true that people with disabilities are naturally inferior?"

As children, she had asked him something similar. He'd told her everyone was an angel, some hurt on their way down, but all the same.

Nathaniel was taken aback. "Of course not," he said. "The world is unjust, and people are unequal from birth."

Cecilia's throat tightened. "Indeed, inequality has been present since birth," she echoed sadly.

Nathaniel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "That's why we need to work to create what we desire," he said.

Cecilia clutched his shirt. "Right. I understand," she murmured, her heart heavy. She told herself his response was simply a result of growing up and experiencing much.

Still unsatisfied, she continued, "Nathaniel, I can't sleep. Can we go to our secret spot from when we were kids?"

A hint of surprise crossed Nathaniel's eyes. "What secret spot?" he asked, puzzled.

Cecilia's throat ached. Could he really not be the one she'd adored since childhood?

After a pause, she forced a smile. "A small pond on the Smith family's property. It was my secret spot. I probably never mentioned it."

Nathaniel found her increasingly strange. She kept bringing up things he'd forgotten. The more she spoke, the more he felt something was wrong.