Chapter 272: I Was Married Once

Cecilia wasn't sure why the stranger was asking such personal questions, but given the prompt money transfer, she assumed it was out of sympathy. She decided to continue the conversation.

She typed: "Actually, I felt quite liberated and happy after the divorce. The pressure seemed to have lessened."

Nathaniel paused, fingers hovering over his keyboard. He couldn't accept it. He typed back: "Why? Is it because you didn't like him?"

Cecilia hesitated. Considering the stranger's anonymity, she saw no reason to hide anything. She texted: "The decision to leave a marriage is typically made after careful consideration, not for just one reason."

A heaviness settled in Nathaniel's heart. He drafted and deleted several replies, unsure what to say.

Cecilia messaged: "If there's nothing else, I'm going to log off now. Bye."

Nathaniel closed the chat box, pondering her words. He sat alone, his thoughts swirling. Needing fresh air, he opened the door to find Cecilia walking toward him, backpack in hand.

Their eyes met briefly before Cecilia quickly looked away. Perhaps due to their online conversation, she felt a strange embarrassment. She hurried past, avoiding eye contact.

Nathaniel watched her go, his gaze unreadable. He felt a mix of emotions.

"She's heartless!" he muttered.

He quickly caught up. Reaching her side, he said nonchalantly, "Is this how you thank your ex-husband who saved you last night?"

He emphasized "ex-husband." It was the first time Cecilia had heard the term applied to Nathaniel. She stopped, surprised, and looked at him. His handsome profile was turned toward her, his gaze unwavering.

Avoiding his gaze, Cecilia replied, "I've already thanked you for last night. If you're unsatisfied, I don't have other solutions. You said it yourself—you're my ex-husband. As your ex-wife, you helped when I was in danger. That wasn't just moral obligation, was it?"

She didn't want to give him the wrong impression, implying lingering feelings or a desire to resume their relationship.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

Cecilia pursed her lips. "It's none of your business," she retorted, walking briskly away.

Nathaniel's brows furrowed, bitterness in his eyes. Frustrated, he punched a nearby wall. In the past, he would have let it go, but his boundaries had been repeatedly crossed. He got into his car and followed her.

He watched her hail a taxi, go to the mall, and shop for groceries alone, speaking to others in a foreign language. He remembered her struggles in Daprein, her poor language skills relying heavily on a translation app. Now, she was managing alone, far from home.

Her words echoed in his mind: "Actually, I felt quite liberated and happy after the divorce. The pressure seemed to have lessened."

A strange, indescribable feeling settled in Nathaniel's heart.

His phone rang. It was Elena.

"Nathaniel, when will you be back?" she asked.

"Is something wrong?"

"The company shareholders are up to something. Your grandpa wants you back immediately!" Elena explained.

Nathaniel's eyes narrowed. "Understood," he said, hanging up. Cecilia had vanished.