Chapter 246 Lost Her Forever

Cecilia actively avoided him. Momentarily taken aback, Nathaniel reassured her gently, "I'm okay now. Have you been sitting here all night?"

Yesterday, he'd asked Mason to bring Cecilia in, but she'd been unwilling. His gentle voice stirred doubt in Cecilia, making her question if she'd misunderstood something. Were their names identical simply because they were twins? Furthermore, the Nathaniel she knew wouldn't tolerate being replaced, let alone accepting a substitute.

"We've known each other since we were kids, right, Nathaniel?" Cecilia asked.

He felt she must have been terrified by his actions the previous night. He crouched, embracing her. "Of course, we've known each other for over a decade."

Tears welled in Cecilia's eyes. "Yes, over a decade..." How could she mistake him after all this time?

From a distance, Mason watched his boss show tenderness to a woman for the first time. Even Elena had never received such gentleness. Puzzled by her sudden tears, Nathaniel wiped them away.

"I'm really fine; it's just a little allergy! It's not like it's going to kill anyone!"

His demeanor had softened, yet his words differed from his childhood self. Over a decade ago, when hurt, he would say, "I've worried Ceci unnecessarily; it's all my fault. I'm not in pain; I'll recover soon."

Cecilia felt she was deceiving herself. These two individuals had completely different personalities. Yet, she hadn't noticed; she assumed his indifference stemmed from dating Stella. The thought ached in her throat.

Nathaniel patted her back, unsure how to comfort her. He didn't know why, but her tears inexplicably saddened him.

After some time, Cecilia found tranquility. Regardless of whether she'd mistaken his identity, she had to leave. She would have nothing more to do with him.

"You're hungry, right? Let's grab something to eat first. After breakfast, I'll take you somewhere," Nathaniel said, gently taking her hand.

After breakfast, Cecilia realized Nathaniel was taking her to a real-life location from her favorite comic artist's work—a place filled with blooming cherry blossoms, just like in the comics. She found it hard to believe it was nearly late autumn.

"All I can do is wait for you outside," Nathaniel said solemnly.

Cecilia nodded and stepped inside. Every corner mirrored the comic book. Nathaniel watched her, discreetly taking a picture to save. In that moment, he found her strikingly familiar.

He'd thought that after pleasing Cecilia, they could do something more that night. However, she declined.

"I'm too tired today. I want to rest early."

Reflecting on her self-reproach the previous night, Nathaniel decided not to pressure her. Suppressing his desires, he held her close, asking, "Where do you want to go tomorrow after we get back?"

Cecilia feigned sleep. She planned to surprise Stella the next day and leave forever.

The night deepened. Nathaniel held Cecilia as they slept, but he was plagued by a nightmare.